2023-10-19 04:00:35
In the baby section of major retail brands, the food offering has diversified considerably: in addition to the classic purees and compotes, parents have the choice of biscuits, dairy desserts, snacks and sweets specially designed for the youngest. … Are these foods, sold with lots of words “specially adapted to baby’s needs” or “specifically for babies”, the healthiest choices?
In a study published Thursday, October 19, the Consumption, Housing and Living Environment association (CLCV) sifts through 207 references of infant formulas (for children aged 6 to 36 months) sold in France, excluding infant milk. Result: 30% of the references studied contain sweetening ingredients (sugar, honey), and 38% additives.
For each category of products – cereal preparation, dairy product, fruit or vegetable product, snack, confectionery, drink, etc. – the association has selected a representative panel. “We mightn’t be exhaustive, but we made sure, for each family, to use distributor brands, major national brands, organic and non-organic products, sold in hypermarkets or organic grocery stores”specifies Lisa Faulet, scientific and food manager at CLCV.
The association then analyzed the ingredient lists, nutritional tables, information and claims on packaging, and looked to see if they complied with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) for infant formula. The UN agency is in fact recommending a series of stricter rules than those provided for in European legislation: in particular setting maximum salt and sugar levels depending on product families, prohibiting sweetening ingredients and limiting flavorings.
“Overall, in our sample, the WHO recommendations are not followed”, deplores Lisa Faulet. Eight out of ten products make “health” claims, such as “good for babies”, or other statements, which are regulated but poorly understood, such as “no added sugar” or “reduced sugar”. Infant dessert creams can, for example, display this last mention if they contain 30% less sugar than the average dessert cream on the market. “But they still contain three times more sugar than regular yogurt. In itself, there is no fraud, but it misleads regarding the real quantity of sugar present in these products”deplores Lisa Faulet.
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