May 07 2009
Baby Food Found to be High in Fat and Salt
Picture Mom or Dad putting baby’s food on the high chair tray. “Here you are honey… a hamburger… some French fries… enjoy!” Ridiculous, yes. But unfortunately, there is a bit of truth to this fairy tale.
The Children’s Food Campaign recently examined the nutritional content of more than 100 infant and toddler foods sold in UK supermarkets. Out of these foods, only half were low in sugar, fat and salt. The remaining were found to be high in saturated fats and sugars, with some as high as in hamburgers and cookies.
Included in these foods were Heinz Toddler’s Own Mini Cheese Biscuits, containing 7.3 grams of fat per every 100 grams. This equates to the same amount of fat found in a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder by weight.
Following the survey, Cow and Gate discontinued their line of Baby Balance Bear Biscuits, which contained ingredients that have been linked to heart disease.
When you purchase baby food, it is important to read the labels. Just because it is marketed towards baby does not mean it is healthy. Whenever possible, it is best to make your own baby food with organic and pesticide-free fruits and vegetables. And remember, when in doubt, it is best to avoid questionable baby food products.
