A recent study reveals that no infant or toddler food products available in Australian supermarkets meet the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Conducted by the George Institute for Global Health, the research found that over 75% of these products failed to meet essential nutritional requirements, and all of them did not comply with WHO’s promotional standards.
The study, published in *Maternal and Child Nutrition*, assessed more than 300 foods intended for children aged six months to three years against WHO’s nutrient and promotion profile model. This model is recognized as a benchmark for ensuring high nutritional quality and proper marketing of infant and toddler foods in supermarkets.
Out of 395 products analyzed, excluding 86 infant formulas, only 22% met the nutrient criteria, with many failing on sugar and calorie content. None of the products adhered to the promotional requirements set by WHO, which restricts claims to those about allergens, religious, and vegetarian/vegan status. Many products displayed misleading claims such as “free from colors and flavors,” “organic,” and “no added sugar,” with an average of 6.7 claims per product and some displaying as many as 21.
Dr. Daisy Coyle, a dietitian and author of the study, noted that these claims can mislead parents into thinking a product is healthier than it is. Often, claims like “no added sugar” can mask the presence of processed sugars in products. Additionally, misleading product names, such as “broccoli, spinach, and apple” that are predominantly apple puree, can further deceive consumers.
The study also highlighted that squeeze pouches, which make up over 50% of the products on shelves, only met the WHO’s sugar requirement half the time. Dr. Catharine Fleming, a public health lecturer at Western Sydney University, expressed concern over the high level of misinformation, which complicates parents’ efforts to make healthy food choices during their children’s critical growth periods.
The researchers are calling for stricter regulations and further investigation into the health risks associated with ultra-processed foods, noting that recent US research shows baby foods have increasingly high levels of industrial additives.
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