Few baby foods sold in pouches “meet the desired characteristics for complementary foods”, according to researchers who examined a range of products available in UK supermarkets. Certain baby pouches are “equivalent to fruit smoothies” and should not be given to babies before they are at least one year old, experts claim.
Study of 298 products across six supermarkets
Academics from the University of Glasgow's College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences and First Steps Nutrition Trust examined all wet commercial baby food (CBF) stocked across six UK supermarkets. In a study of 298 products, they compared sugar, protein and energy levels against those found in breast milk.
The majority (60 per cent) of the products examined were sold in “spouted pouches” or sPouches. Of these, 70 per cent were “targeted” at children aged under six months, despite health officials recommending that weaning should begin at around six months of age.
Comparison with breast milk and health guidance
When compared with breast milk and other products, pouches contained lower levels of protein, higher sugar content, and less energy. The researchers noted that many of the pouches are “similar to sweet fruit smoothies”, which are not recommended for babies or preschool children. According to NHS.uk, babies under 12 months “do not need fruit juice or smoothies”.
The authors concluded in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood: “Many wet CBF delivered in sPouches have the texture and composition of sweet drinks, while very few meet the desired characteristics for complementary foods.”
Call for regulatory review
“These CBFs, which in texture and content are equivalent to fruit smoothies, should not really be given at all before 12 months and their intake limited after,” they added. The research team explained that parents frequently opt for these products because of “misperceptions of suitability and healthfulness”.
They added: “CBF packaging often displays the misleading claim no added sugar despite containing high amounts of free sugars due to pureed fruit content”. The authors urged regulators to “review whether labelling spouted-pouch, baby food products as complementary foods is appropriate and consider whether these delivery systems are inappropriate for complementary feeding.”
