The prevalence of ultra-processed ingredients in baby foods could increase as the Government plans a crackdown on sugar and salt, experts warned.
Alpro, Cerelac, Farley’s, Hipp, Yeo Valley and Organix are among brands whose products include ultra-processed foods, analysis by The i Paper found.
A practical way to identify a UPF is to check if its list of ingredients contains a food substance never or rarely used in kitchens or additives designed to make the final product more appealing, according to Carlos Monteiro, the Brazilian academic who created the framework.
Manufacturers have 18 months to reduce sugar and salt in foods for children up to 36 months old (Photo: Getty)
The First Steps Nutrition Trust, a charity, said ultra-processed baby foods are often marketed as healthy options despite concerns about their potential health impact.
Dr Vicky Sibson, director of the First Steps Nutrition Trust, said baby food regulations need to be strengthened to “address new health harms, including those associated with ingredient markers of ultra-processing”, such as certain emulsifiers and maltodextrins.
“The sugars may be replaced with maltodextrins, which are a concern because they are a risk to teeth.”
She said cutting sugar and salt could make foods less palatable, which could lead to manufacturers using more flavourings, which would be a “concern”, she added.
She said: “The emerging evidence is that ultra-processed foods are associated with poor health later in life.”
She added: “Setting taste preferences from early life is something that we can do something about, and we should be doing something about in legislation, rather than just allowing the companies that profit from selling these foods to decide what we should be giving to kids.”
Little Yeos organic blueberry and banana yoghurt and Heinz Immunity Support baby food would be classed as ultra-processed under the NOVA classification systemRob Percival, head of food policy at the Soil Association charity, said UPF-rich diets “deny infants the necessary exposure to the tastes, colours and textures of unprocessed and minimally processed foods, which can undermine both their acceptance of such foods and their physical ability to eat them”.
The ingredients found
Analysis by The i Paper of hundreds of baby and toddler food products sold in the UK’s four biggest supermarkets – Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Morrison’s – found at least 55 would be classed as UPFs.
Several studies have suggested emulsifiers may cause diseases linked to impaired intestinal barrier functions and intestinal microbiota, such as allergic diseases, coeliac disease, type 1 diabetes, Crohn’s disease and colorectal cancer, according to the First Steps Nutrition Trust.
Nestle Cerelac infant cereals and Alpro soya drinks were also found to contain UPF ingredientsMaltodextrin – a carbohydrate extracted from rice, corn, wheat or potato starch – made some ingredient lists. It is used to preserve flavour, thicken up food, mimic fat content and make products last longer.
Research shows they can increase acidity in the oral cavity, impacting tooth enamel and potentially contributing to the development of cavities.
Natural flavourings typically contain other ingredients – for example, several chemicals combine to create a particular flavour – but manufacturers do not have to disclose their contents.
“Flavour is nature’s language of nutrition, and what we do when we add flavours to foods is we give them the sort of superficial sheen of nutrition that they don’t actually have,” he said.
“Scientists have been too focused on the macronutrients of fat and carbohydrates,” he said. “And the truth is, those really haven’t changed. What’s changed in our food system is these other things.”
What the companies said
A spokesperson for Nestlé, which also makes Cerelac, said its infant and young children products “are designed by nutrition experts and adhere to strict safety and nutritional standards”.
They said: “These products must provide specific levels of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrate, protein, fats and energy, support safe oral motor skill development and avoid potential choking hazards.
“Some of our ingredients and additives serve a practical function, such as maintaining or improving safety, digestibility, texture, taste or freshness.”
A spokesperson for Danone UK & Ireland, which makes Aptamil and Alpro products, said: “There is no universally agreed definition of UPF amongst scientists and academics, and this terminology can create unhelpful confusion for shoppers.
“So, when making decisions about food and drink, it’s important to look at the complete nutritional profile of a product. Every ingredient in our products has a purpose, is safe and supports a balanced, varied and healthy diet.”
A spokesperson for Yeo Valley said Little Yeos only uses natural organic sources “to bring the taste of real fruit purees alive”.
They said: “We believe this helps children develop healthy palates by exploring the flavours and sweetness of different fruits instead of using refined sugar only.
“Organic food production in the UK is held to the highest standards and regulated by strict legislation, ensuring it is food you can trust.”
The makers of Heinz, Farley’s, Hipp, Kiddylicious, Little Dish, Annabel Karmel and Organix products did not respond to requests for comment, and neither did Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco.
The Department of Health and Social Care said the new guidelines for manufacturers will lead to healthier food for children and labelling will be made clearer to help parents make better choices.
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