The British Dental Association is raising concern about the alarmingly high levels of sugar found in many popular baby food pouch brands in their latest article. These convenient 'grab and go' solutions have become increasingly popular among parents, but research has revealed that the majority of these products contain extremely high sugar content, which could be harmful to young children's oral health.
Moreover, some brands promote an 'eat straight from the pouch' mechanism, which leaves the contents in contact with the teeth for an extended period, exacerbating the problem.
Dr Nigel Carter, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, says:
"Many baby food brands are misleading parents into believing their products are healthy for children, when the reality is this is far from the truth.
Baby foods simply cannot be considered healthy if they have a detrimental impact on a child’s oral health. All too often cheap and sweet bases such as apple are used in baby foods.
These are not only unhealthy for the baby but for the teeth also. Some of these foods can contain over three times the adult recommended sugar intake.
There is evidence to suggest that introducing sweet foods at an early age leads to a lifetime preference for excessively sweet foods.
Alternatives are available which are much healthier for the baby, based on vegetables rather than sweet fruit bases and parents would be well advised to seek these out.
It’s disappointing to see that no matter where parent’s turn, their choices are nearly all packed with sugar. Manufactures must take responsibility to cut the sugar content down and look for healthier alternatives. We call on the government to put legislation in place, similar to the soft drinks levy, to control the amount of sugar manufacturers are putting in their products.
Sweet products should not be recommended to children under 12 months or indeed at older ages.
There is no possible reason or justification as to why a baby food pouch should contain as much sugar as a can of coke."
Offering advice for parents, Dr Carter adds:
"Understand that these products are simply not as healthy as homemade purees or fresh fruit and vegetable snacks.
For most parents, it’s not realistic to ask, or expect them, to make all their own baby food but even opting for soft fresh fruits and vegetables, or mashed or stewed root vegetables like carrots, is always going to be healthier than store bought processed foods."
At The O Clinic our youngest patient is only 3 years and 2 months old.
Let’s help the next generation cut their teeth on great dental care by getting them in early!
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