Study Finds 71% of U.S. Baby Foods Are Ultra-Processed

Most baby food sold in U.S. grocery stores is ultra-processed, a new study finds, raising fresh concerns about what many infants and toddlers are eating during a critical window of development.

The peer-reviewed study, published in the journal Nutrients, found that 71% of baby food products sold in grocery stores are classified as ultra-processed foods, or UPF.

Researchers analyzed 651 infant and toddler food products available in the top 10 U.S. grocery retailers, using data from the Australia-based George Institute for Global Health’s FoodSwitch database. 

The study used the NOVA classification system, the most common method used to identify UPF.

UPF are typically made in industrial settings and contain one or more artificial colors or flavors, non-sugar sweeteners, or additives like emulsifiers and thickeners. Food companies use these ingredients, often in combination with large amounts of fat, sugar or salt, to create UPF.

Additives dominate the baby food aisle

A top finding of the study is the widespread use of additives in foods marketed for consumption by babies and toddlers. Nearly three-quarters of all baby food products in the study contained additives, making them the most common ingredient category.

Researchers identified more than 105 unique additives, including flavor enhancers, thickeners, emulsifiers and colors. Flavor enhancers appeared in more than one-third of all products, while thickeners and emulsifiers were also common. Nearly one in five products contained added colors.

A growing body of scientific evidence links certain food additives to potential health concerns, including negative effects on gut function and behavioral difficulties in sensitive children. 

Other additives have been studied very little due to a regulatory loophole that allows companies to add new chemicals to foods without any Food and Drug Administration safety review. Nearly 99% of new food chemicals enter the market this way. 

More sugar, salt and calories

The study also found clear nutritional differences between ultra-processed baby foods and their less-processed counterparts.

On average, ultra-processed baby foods contained nearly twice as much sugar as products that were not ultra-processed. Added sugars were found exclusively in UPF. The disparity was especially pronounced in snack and finger foods, where ultra-processed products contained two and a half times more sugar per serving than similar non-ultra-processed options.

Sodium levels were also higher in ultra-processed baby foods, containing far more sodium per 100 grams than less processed products. 

High intake of sugary, calorie-dense foods early in life has been linked to heart and metabolic conditions in children. Early childhood is a particularly sensitive period, since food exposures during those years may shape taste preferences and eating habits that persist for years.

States stepping up

The findings raise questions about whether current regulations adequately protect infants and toddlers and give parents enough information. 

There are no federal labeling requirements for UPF. In the absence of robust federal regulation, states have started taking action. Last year, California signed a historic new law to legally define UPF and phase out the most harmful from public school meals. Lawmakers in dozens of other states have introduced or passed bills targeting harmful chemicals in the food supply. 

Without stronger federal oversight and clearer labeling requirements for baby foods, parents are largely left to navigate the marketplace on their own.

Finding less processed food for kids

It’s often possible to find less-processed alternatives to common foods. Instead of yogurt with added flavors, artificial colors or zero-calorie sweeteners, you might look for a yogurt with just a few ingredients: cultured milk and fruit.

One way to identify these products is by reading ingredient lists and nutrition facts to look for more whole foods and fewer chemicals. For now, this information is usually found on the back of food packages. 

You may also need to look beyond marketing claims on the front of packages, which can include phrases, colors or pictures intended to appeal to kids.

EWG’s Food Scores provides ratings for more than 150,000 foods and drinks based on nutrition, ingredients and processing. Food Scores also flags unhealthy UPF and can help you identify alternatives.