1 month ago
More than 200 branded nutrient products aimed astatine UK babies and toddlers neglect to meet World Health Organization nutrition and trading standards, an world study has found.
Two-thirds of products intended for youngsters aged six months to 3 years from Heinz, Nestle, Danone, Hipp, Hero and Hain Celestial contained excessive sugar, brackish aliases calories.
The remainder were recovered to beryllium marketed misleadingly, specified arsenic snacks, purees, cereals and fresh meals pinch fewer nutrients being labelled arsenic 'healthy'.
Out of 1,297 products assessed internationally, including 218 sold successful UK supermarkets, none were considered suitable for promotion for depletion to children.
Out of 1,297 products assessed internationally, including 218 sold successful UK supermarkets, nary were considered suitable for promotion for depletion to children. Pictured, 1 of the products that grounded to meet WHO nutrition and trading standards: Heinz Peach Multigrain Porridge For Babies From 7 Months Onwards by Kraft Heinz
The brands studied ain much than 53 per cent of nan marketplace share. The UK has nan second-largest number of specified products aft Italy. Pictured, 1 of nan products that grounded to meet WHO nutrition and trading standards: Ellas Kitchen Summer Pudding For Babies From 7 Months by Hain Celestial
Greg Garrett, from nan world non-profit Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNI) that carried retired nan research, said caller regulations are needed to power nutrient creation and trading of foods for babies and toddlers.
'There is simply a concerning inclination successful nan nutritional value of commercialized babe foods for infants and young children crossed aggregate countries,' he said. 'We must guarantee that nan well-being of young children is not undermined immoderate more.
'For this, we request nan manufacture to return due action, shareholders of companies to put responsibly, and policymakers to amended regulations.'
The brands studied ain much than 53 per cent of nan marketplace share.
The UK has nan 2nd largest number of specified products aft Italy.
Results varied among companies, pinch Kraft Heinz having nan highest percent of products gathering nutrient creation requirements, astatine astir 42 per cent, followed by Hero astatine 39 per cent and Danone astatine 38 per cent.
The researchers said 88 per cent of Hain Celestial products sold successful nan UK should person a 'high sugar' front-of-pack informing label.
The aforesaid was existent for 60 per cent of Hero, 50 per cent of Hipp, 46 per cent of Kraft Heinz and 7 per cent of Danone products.
The study said caller regulations should prohibit nan usage of added sugars and sweeteners, limit sweetener and sodium content, and outlaw misleading trading and labelling practices.
Governments should present mandatory informing labels connected products pinch precocious sweetener levels to thief parents make healthier nutrient choices for infants and young children, it added.
The ATNI is calling for parents to beryllium fixed greater support to make well-informed feeding decisions, to thief extremity world epidemics of obesity, bony decay, bosom disease, glucosuria and different conditions caused by mediocre eating choices.
The study said caller regulations should prohibit nan usage of added sugars and sweeteners, limit sweetener and sodium content, and outlaw misleading trading and labelling practices. Pictured, 1 of nan products that grounded to meet WHO nutrition and trading standards: Hipp Organic Apple And Pear For Babies From 4 Months Onwards by Hipp
WHO guidelines opportunity babies and toddlers should not beryllium fixed foods precocious successful sugar, brackish and trans fats aliases drinks containing sweetener aliases non-sugar sweeteners. Pictured, 1 of nan products that grounded to meet WHO nutrition and trading standards: Aptamil Organic Banana And Strawberry Porridge For Babies Aged 6 Months And Onwards by Danone
WHO guidelines opportunity babies and toddlers should not beryllium fixed foods precocious successful sugar, brackish and trans fats aliases drinks containing sweetener aliases non-sugar sweeteners.
They adhd that depletion of 100 per cent consequence juice should beryllium 'limited'.
Responding to nan study's findings, a spokesman for Kraft Heinz said nan institution was committed to 'making high-quality, accessible food' successful statement pinch 'international nutrient standards and section laws and regulations'.
It besides supports 'the WHO's proposal that babies are exclusively breastfed for nan first six months of life, followed by nan preamble of nutritionally capable and safe complementary foods,' they added.
They said: 'We are committed to transparent communications astir nan nutrition of each our products, empowering consumers to make informed decisions that meet their manner needs and preferences.'
Meanwhile, a Nestlé spokesperson added: 'We stock nan aforesaid goals arsenic ATNI to accelerate sustainable entree to nutritious.
'We are besides supportive of independent benchmarking which tin thief differentiate betwixt practices wrong an industry.
'However, nan attack taken by ATNI does not present these affirmative outcomes. The methodology adopted whitethorn unfairly penalise companies pinch a ample portfolio.
'Everywhere we operate, we comply pinch each section regulations arsenic good arsenic our Nestlé Policy for implementing nan Code, whichever is stricter.'
A spokesperson for Hero said: 'All products marketed by Hero, including nan UK, comply pinch section authorities regarding information and nutritional requirements.
'Furthermore, Hero adheres to soul nutritional and information standards that transcend existent regulatory requirements.'
WHAT SHOULD A BALANCED DIET LOOK LIKE?
Meals should beryllium based connected potatoes, bread, rice, pasta aliases different starchy carbohydrates, ideally wholegrain, according to nan NHS
• Eat astatine slightest 5 portions of a assortment of consequence and vegetables each day. All fresh, frozen, dried and canned consequence and vegetables count
• Base meals connected potatoes, bread, rice, pasta aliases different starchy carbohydrates, ideally wholegrain
• 30 grams of fibre a day: This is nan aforesaid arsenic eating each of nan following: 5 portions of consequence and vegetables, 2 whole-wheat cereal biscuits, 2 heavy slices of wholemeal breadstuff and ample baked murphy pinch nan tegument on
• Have immoderate dairy aliases dairy alternatives (such arsenic soya drinks) choosing lower-fat and lower-sugar options
• Eat immoderate beans, pulses, fish, eggs, nutrient and different proteins (including 2 portions of food each week, 1 of which should beryllium oily)
• Choose unsaturated oils and spreads and consuming successful mini amounts
• Drink 6-8 cups/glasses of h2o a day
• Adults should person little than 6g of brackish and 20g of saturated fat for women aliases 30g for men a day
Source: NHS Eatwell Guide
