Many baby food pouches are being marketed as suitable for infants as young as four months, contradicting guidance from the government and the World Health Organization, which suggests feeding babies only breastmilk or formula until six months of age.
Dr. Nigel Carter, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, expresses concern: “Unfortunately, baby food labelling is still incredibly misleading. Brands claim these products are suitable from four months, which goes directly against NHS and WHO advice.”
The program highlighted that while pouches are convenient, they often lack adequate nutrition and could potentially harm infants. For instance, a pouch from a well-known brand, Heinz, containing sweet potato, chicken, and vegetables, had only 0.325mg of iron, whereas NHS guidelines suggest infants need between 4.3mg and 7.8mg of iron daily.
Dr. Carter emphasizes, “Baby food pouches are incredibly popular with parents—they’re clean, quick, and easy. But many lose vital nutrients like vitamin C during processing and don’t contain enough iron for babies to grow properly.”
The investigation also notes dental risks. Babies often suck food directly from the pouch, allowing it to remain in contact with teeth longer, increasing the risk of decay. Dr. Carter warns, “These products often come with no warning about sucking directly from the pouch. It means food sits on the teeth for longer, especially dangerous when it’s high in sugar, and stops babies learning how to chew or experience different textures.”
Parents might be misled by “No Added Sugar” labels, assuming the product is healthy. Yet, many products are made with fruit purées or juices, which are naturally high in free sugars. These sugars, released during processing, can harm baby teeth similarly to table sugar. Dr. Carter clarifies, “The ‘No Added Sugar’ claims are misleading. When fruit is puréed or juiced, the sugars become free sugars—the kind that rot teeth. These products need clearer labelling, and parents must be told the truth.”
Following the investigation, companies like Ella’s Kitchen, Piccolo, and Aldi have agreed to update their labels to reflect six-month weaning guidance, reduce sugar, and improve the nutrient content. However, campaigners deem these steps insufficient.
Dr. Carter concludes, “There’s an urgent need for transparency and proper regulation. We can’t rely on companies to do the right thing voluntarily. The government must step in, change the rules, and protect our children’s health.”
The Panorama episode "The Truth About Baby Food Pouches" is available on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002bl1w.
