A recent study conducted by Monash University has uncovered significant nutritional deficiencies in ready-made foods for infants and toddlers available in Australian supermarkets. The research indicates that 43% of these products exceed recommended sugar limits, while only 23% meet the nutrient content requirements established by the World Health Organization (WHO).
In 2023, the commercial baby food sector in Australia, which includes prepared baby food, cereals, and snacks, generated over $370 million in revenue. The study highlights that one in two Australian children aged up to five consumes these commercial foods at least once a week.
Lead author Dr. Alexandra Chung emphasized the growing market for commercial infant foods, noting an increase in new product launches. The study found that none of the 45 products assessed adhered to all WHO labelling or promotional standards, with each product containing at least one marketing claim that violates WHO guidelines.
The research assessed compliance with the WHO Regional Office for Europe's Nutrient and Promotion Profile Model (NPPM), which supports appropriate promotion of food products for infants aged 6-36 months. The findings raise concerns about misleading marketing that suggests these foods are healthy, despite their high sugar content and lack of necessary variety.
In Australia, food compositional and labelling standards are governed by the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, which imposes limits on sugar and sodium levels and mandates minimum iron content in cereals. However, many health-related claims made by manufacturers are not regulated under this code.
Dr. Chung pointed out that current regulations allow manufacturers to influence children's diets through misleading promotions, highlighting a regulatory gap that needs to be addressed. The study's findings come at a time when the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care is consulting on improving commercial foods for infants and young children, presenting an opportunity for implementing stricter regulations to safeguard the health of young Australians.