More than 70% of baby foods sold in the United States for children ages six months to 36 months are Ultraprocessed and contain Additives in US baby food linked to potential health risks, according to a new peer-reviewed study.
Researchers Warn Additives May Affect Infant Health
A study published Wednesday in the journal Nutrients analyzed 651 baby foods, drinks, and snacks and found that 71% listed additives rather than fruits or vegetables as their top ingredient.
“What shocked me was that the top ingredient in 71% of these baby foods wasn’t a fruit or vegetable. It was one or more additives,” said Elizabeth Dunford, the study’s first author and an adjunct assistant professor of nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Researchers identified 105 unique additives, including preservatives, emulsifiers, dyes, and flavor enhancers. More than half were commonly associated with ultraprocessed foods, while the remainder included natural options such as lemon juice or beet juice.
The prevalence of Additives in US baby food is startling, with 36% of products containing synthetic flavor enhancers such as carrageenan, which has been linked to gut inflammation Thickeners, including carrageenan, xanthan, and guar gum, appeared in 29% of foods, while 19% contained synthetic dyes and emulsifiers.
“We know that babies’ guts are not fully developed enough to be able to handle additives in the way an adult stomach could,” Dunford said, adding that many additives are cosmetic and intended to improve appearance.
Experts Cite Long-Term Risks, Call for Oversight
The findings raise concerns because early food exposure shapes lifelong eating habits. About 62% of foods consumed by American children are ultraprocessed, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Babies exposed to ultraprocessed foods learn to prefer sugar and artificial flavors over the natural, nutrient-dense foods that set the stage for a lifetime of healthy eating,” said Jane Houlihan, research director for Healthy Babies, Bright Futures.
Previous research has associated higher consumption of Ultraprocessed foods with a 50% increased risk of cardiovascular disease-related death, a 55% greater likelihood of obesity, and a 40% higher probability of developing type 2 diabetes.
Regulatory oversight remains limited especially regarding the prevalence of Additives in US baby food, experts said.. The American Academy of Pediatrics has called for urgent reforms to the Food and Drug Administration’s additive review process.
“Companies can add new chemicals to baby foods without any FDA safety review, simply declaring them ‘Generally Recognized as Safe,’” said Sarah Reinhardt of the Environmental Working Group. She urged stronger labeling requirements and stricter marketing rules.
Industry Defends Standards as Debate Continues
The Consumer Brands Association, which represents manufacturers, disputed concerns about ultraprocessed foods.
“There is currently no agreed-upon scientific definition of ultra-processed foods,” said Sarah Gallo, the group’s senior vice president. She added that manufacturers follow FDA safety standards to provide “safe, affordable, and convenient products.”
The study also found nutritional gaps. Nearly 94% of snack-size products were ultraprocessed and contained 2.5 times more sugar than minimally processed options. Added sugar appeared only in ultraprocessed items.
Earlier analysis of the same data showed that 70% of products failed to meet World Health Organization protein guidelines, one in five exceeded recommended salt levels, and 25% fell short of calorie recommendations.
Concerns regarding Additives in US baby food were particularly high within baby food pouches, which were identified as a major contributor, accounting for about half of the sugar consumed from infant foods.
Researchers advised parents to prepare meals with whole ingredients when possible and to review labels carefully when purchasing packaged foods.
“If it’s hard to tell what’s in a product, it may be ultra-processed and not the best choice for setting up healthy eating habits for a lifetime,” Houlihan said.
