Questions have risen against the health and safety concerns of baby food after a new research has proved otherwise. There has been a cry for change after the findings showed that 60% of infant and toddler foods did not meet the nutritional requirements and none of them meet the requirements that the WHO emphasizes on. The findings are published in the Journal Nutrients.
The study also shed light to the marketing practices carried out by companies to fool busy parents. 99.4% feature at least one prohibited claim on the label. On an average, generally products had four prohibited claims but there are some that had eleven. 70% claims non-GMO, 59% organic, 37% no BPA and 25% no artificial colours/flavours. There are no nutritional guidelines in America that holds these manufacturing units and companies in check. Researchers at The George Institute for Global Health had assessed the data on the infant and toddler food products that were sold in the top ten US grocery chains. They had discovered that 70% had failed to meet protein requirements and 44% exceeded the sugar limits! On further investigation they noted that one in four was not in par with the calorie requirements and that one in five exceeded the sodium limits. Dr Daisy Coyle, a Dietitian and Research fellow at the institute commented that the lack of regulations in the food products leaves the door wide open for the food industry to deceive busy parents. The claims, naming the ingredient were all misleading.
Baby food pouches purchases are skyrocketing with a 900% increase in sales. Obesity has also doubled in the US in children between ages 2 and 5 making people question whether food rich in starches and flours are worth a quick bite.
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