Many were found to be low in vital nutrients like vitamin C and iron, while others exceeded a one-year-old’s daily recommended sugar intake in a single pouch.
All of this scrutiny has left parents wondering what commercial food brands they should be buying.
Every dietitian spoken to for this story recommends caution when it comes to any products recommended for babies under 12 months. “Since the recent report highlighted some commercial purees contain high levels of sugar and are not particularly nutrient-rich, I’m now more cautious about recommending those products,” explains paediatric dietitian Emma Shafqat.
“A few I do recommend are: Jess Cooks, More Toddler Meals, Pots for Tots and Little Dish.” These brands are all part of the Kids’ Food and Drink Collective, a UK collective dedicated to healthier children’s food and drink brands.
“For example, Jess Cook’s packs contain two of their five a day, are low in salt and contain no artificial ingredients. They also contain 4g or less added sugar to their meals.”
Skip the baby pouches
“Baby food pouches can be useful occasionally,” she says. “When travelling or if families are caught out and need a convenient option. But they should be thought of like the ready meals you might buy for yourself after a busy day: fine once in a while, but not something you’d rely on every day.”
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Emma Shafqat agrees, and says for weaning it’s better to focus on home-cooked foods where possible. “I would make your own purees and freeze it in ice cube trays, or use some of the reusable pouches to store them in e.g. Nom Nom Kids. For weaning, it’s best to start introducing textures after six months rather than relying solely on smooth purees.”
“I would also be cautious of anything listed or sold as a ‘snack’ product for children under 12 months of age,” she explains. “The NHS does not recommend snacks for babies under one year, and many of these products are low in nutrients and/or higher in salt or sugar.”
“I would be cautious with brands that market heavily to parents but contain added sugar, high salt levels, or unnecessary additives. Some ‘toddler snacks’ can look healthy but are essentially biscuits or crisps in disguise like Ella melty sticks, veggie straws or Farley rusks.”
Say no to “no nasties”
“Don’t be swayed by marketing claims like ‘no nasties’ or ‘100% natural’,” Bahee urges. “These phrases sound reassuring but don’t guarantee nutritional quality. What matters is whether the food provides enough iron, protein, and a variety of vegetables.”
“The back of the pack for any product will include the ingredients, so you can check for added sugars, what % of ingredients are used in the product (they are listed by order of weight), and overall nutritional composition, including salt and sugar,” says Upton.
While these products promise convenience and can be a life saver in a pinch, Lucy Upton points out that commercial products can actually be more expensive than just preparing food at home.
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“For example, a pouch of banana puree can be 90p (£1.29/100g), whereas a fresh banana may be 15–20p (around 7–9p/100g). Baby porridge is another example— often with added oils or sugars, and a packet may cost up to £3/100g, compared to normal porridge oats (that can be blended if needed) at around 9p/100g.”
“You don’t have to rely on branded baby food. Family foods can be adapted easily for example, mashed or chopped fruit and vegetables, plain yogurt with fruit, porridge or Weetabix with milk, or pasta with simple tomato sauce. Frozen vegetables, tinned beans, and store cupboard staples are budget-friendly, healthy, and suitable for little ones too.”
But don’t beat yourself up
“Parents don’t need to feel guilty if they’ve been using them,” Bahee says. “The real issue is that marketing has misled families into believing these products are suitable as daily meal replacements, when in fact they are not.”
However, she says that avoiding over-reliance on these products is really important in the early years. “The first few years of life are formative for health, growth, eating habits and much more. No matter how healthful these products may seem, nothing can replace the value of variety, texture, and the experience of eating family foods together.”
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