Shocking study finds more than 60 percent of baby foods sold in the U.S. are extremely unhealthy

More than 60 percent of baby and toddler foods sold in U.S. supermarkets are extremely unhealthy, according to a shocking new study that aims to draw the urgent attention of parents and policymakers to the widespread use of misleading claims on the packaging of these products.

According to research by the George Institute for Global Health, more than two-thirds of brands failed to meet nutritional recommendations set by the World Health Organization (WHO). The Australian-based research group compared data on 651 commercial baby foods to WHO guidelines and found that 70 percent failed to meet protein standards and 44 percent exceeded total sugar requirements.

How was the study conducted?

According to the researchers, they analysed data on baby and toddler food products sold at 10 major supermarket chains listed in the institute’s FoodSwitch database. “One in four products did not meet calorie requirements and one in five exceeded recommended sodium limits,” the research institute said in a statement, according to the researchers who published the study in the journal Nutrients.

The study’s scientists said they visited eight stores in Raleigh, North Carolina, including Walmart, Kroger, Costco, Ahold Delhaize, Publix, Sam’s Club, Target and Aldi. Two others, HEB and Safeway, were not located in the state and their websites were used to collect the data.

“The bottom line is that these foods should not make up the majority of young children’s diets, but should be used as part of their diet when needed,” Dr. Elizabeth Dunford, a researcher at the George Institute and adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina, told The New York Post. “We just hope that manufacturers can work together to better inform parents about what’s in the foods they buy,” she added.

Researchers also criticized manufacturers for making misleading claims.

What do WHO guidelines say?

The WHO says baby foods should not have added sugars, including concentrated fruit juice, and supports sodium limits. Products that list protein content on the front of the package must contain a certain amount of that protein, whether it’s fish, poultry or meat.

Researchers have therefore advised and encouraged parents to always turn the product over to look at the nutrition label and ingredient list. They have also called for greater government regulation of baby and toddler foods to prevent the growing obesity epidemic among young children.

What are misleading claims about baby food?

According to experts, in addition to sugar, baby foods are loaded with sodium or salt, saturated oils and artificial colors and flavors, all of which are harmful to children’s health.

Since the study also uncovered poor marketing practices (at least one banned claim was found on the packaging of 99.4 percent of products), researchers fear that there may also be widespread use of chemicals containing BPA. Researcher Daisy Coyle said in a statement that these claims are creating a so-called “health halo” around these products: “The lack of regulation in this area leaves the door open for the food industry to mislead busy parents.”

What do US laws say?

The United States recently introduced the Baby Food Safety Act of 2024, which empowers the Food and Drug Administration to limit toxic heavy metals in commercial baby foods. The legislation comes in the wake of numerous reports of contaminants such as lead and arsenic, which are found in high amounts in food products for babies and toddlers.