Are the nutrient and textural properties of Australian commercial infant and toddler foods consistent with infant feeding advice?

Abstract

Infant feeding guidelines worldwide recommend first foods to be Fe rich with no added sugars and that nutrient-poor discretionary foods are to be avoided. Feeding guidelines also recommend exposing infants to a variety of foods and flavours with increasingly complex textures. Here, we compare nutritional and textural properties of commercial infant and toddler foods available in Australia with established infant feeding guidelines. Nutrition information and ingredient lists were obtained from food labels, manufacturer and/or retailer websites. In total, 414 foods were identified, comprising mostly mixed main dishes, fruit and vegetable first foods and snacks. Most products were poor sources of Fe, and 80 % of first foods were fruit-based. Half of all products were purées in squeeze pouches, and one-third of all products were discretionary foods. The nutritional content of many products was inconsistent with guidelines, being low in Fe, sweet, smooth in consistency or classified as discretionary. Reformulation of products is warranted to improve Fe content, particularly in mixed main dishes, expand the range of vegetable-only foods and textural variety. Greater regulatory oversight may be needed to better inform parents and caregivers. Frequent consumption of commercial baby foods low in Fe may increase the risk of Fe deficiency. Excessive consumption of purées via squeeze pouches may also have implications for overweight and obesity risk.

Early childhood caries, primary caregiver oral health knowledge and behaviours and associated sociological factors in Australia: a systematic scoping review

“…An associated issue that requires consideration in any oral health strategy aimed at young children today is the recent exponential growth of the Australian baby food industry [ 48 ]. The market is increasingly flooded with sugar rich infant and toddler products, with the majority of ‘pouch foods’ increasingly available in the supermarket being predominantly sweet [ 49 ]. Although these foods were not discussed in the reviewed articles, perhaps because of their recent establishment in the baby and toddler food market, their sugar content is concerning given the well-established links to dental caries44.…”

Digital Marketing of Commercial Complementary Foods in Australia: An Analysis of Brand Messaging

“…Furthermore, it has been suggested that this type of marketing may diminish the value of home meals and work to persuade parents that costly commercial foods are essential [33]. Recent research on the nutritional and textural composition of CCF available for sale in Australia demonstrates their unsuitability as a primary food source, being predominantly sweet flavored, low in iron, snack foods that would be classified as noncore, or discretionary items, and purees lacking appropriate textural variety [15,36]. The importance of texture in the development of skills is utilized in marketing by brands promoting the value of their snack products in self-feeding and of attributes such as "tongue lateralization", which encourages the perception that these products are necessary for optimal child development.…”

Low allergen content of commercial baby foods

“…Regular inclusion of cows milk, wheat, hen's egg, peanut, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, sesame and lupin containing foods make important contributions to infant nutrition, including contributing to diet diversity which has been linked to improved future health outcomes, including reduced allergic diseases. 17 While several reviews have focussed on nutritional, textural and flavour analysis of weaning foods in Australia, 18 the UK 19 and in the USA, 20 we are not aware of any other systematic analysis of the allergen content of weaning foods. The recent review of the nutritional content of UK weaning foods included an ingredient listing, surveillance of which indicates that weaning foods available in the UK are also low in common allergens.…”