More than four out of five foods marketed specifically for toddlers in the United States are ultraprocessed, according to new research that examined more than 2,700 products sold in grocery stores.
The study also found that nearly half of the products failed to meet at least one nutritional benchmark established by the World Health Organization for children between 6 and 36 months.
Researchers analyzed 2,783 toddler food products collected from 21 grocery stores in Austin, Texas. The products included foods marketed for young children, while infant formula, drinks and purees were excluded.
The findings showed that more than 80% of the products fell into the ultraprocessed category. Researchers also found that products failing to meet WHO recommendations for sugar were four times more likely to be ultraprocessed.
The study was presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition. Researchers examined nutrition labels for sugar, sodium, saturated and unsaturated fats, calories and food additives before comparing the products with the NOVA food-processing classification system.
According to WHO recommendations, commercial foods marketed for children between 6 and 36 months should contain no added sugar, artificial sweeteners or concentrated fruit juices, while saturated fat and sodium should be limited.
The researchers found that almost a quarter of the toddler foods examined contained more sodium than recommended. Some products were also high in fat and calories, including foods marketed as organic.
Examples included fruit pouches and oat bars that contained high levels of sugar, as well as ready-to-eat macaroni and cheese and turkey sausages that were high in sodium and fat. Peanut butter puffs were among the products identified as high in sodium, fat and calories.
The researchers also highlighted the presence of additives in many products. Under the NOVA classification system, ultraprocessed foods generally contain ingredients and additives that are not typically found in minimally processed foods.
These can include preservatives, emulsifiers, artificial colors, flavor enhancers and other substances used to change the taste, texture, appearance or shelf life of food.
The findings come as growing research examines the potential health effects of ultraprocessed foods. A separate study published earlier this year found that more than 70% of 651 baby and toddler foods examined contained additives that researchers said warrant further investigation because of possible links to inflammation and changes in the gut microbiome.
Nutrition experts say the concern is not limited to the ingredients in ultraprocessed foods. They also point to what these products may replace in a toddler’s diet.
Children who frequently consume sweetened snacks, crackers, fruit snacks and bars may eat fewer whole grains, vegetables, beans and other nutrient-rich foods.
The first 1,000 days of life are considered an important period for children’s growth and development. Nutrition during early childhood can also influence eating habits and food preferences as children grow.
Experts say parents do not necessarily need to rely on products specifically marketed as toddler foods once children can safely eat regular family meals. Healthy foods can often be prepared in forms that are easier for young children to chew and eat.
Food labels can therefore play an important role in helping parents identify suitable products. Nutrition experts recommend paying particular attention to added sugar, saturated fat and sodium, while also checking ingredient lists for additives and concentrated fruit juice.
Fruit juice concentrate can be particularly difficult to identify because it may appear in a product without being immediately obvious as a source of added sugar.
Parents are also encouraged to offer whole or diced fruits and vegetables when appropriate and combine them with sources of protein and healthy fats. Foods such as yogurt, nut butter when age-appropriate, beans, whole grains and healthy meats can form part of a balanced toddler diet.
The research also highlights a wider issue surrounding food marketing. Products specifically designed and packaged for toddlers may appear to parents to have been formulated with children’s nutritional needs in mind, but the study suggests that marketing alone is not a reliable indicator of nutritional quality.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration proposed a front-of-package labeling system in 2025 that would identify levels of added sugars, sodium and saturated fat. However, foods marketed to children under four would be exempt from the proposed requirements.
Industry representatives have questioned the broader classification of ultraprocessed foods, noting that there is currently no universally accepted scientific definition of the term and arguing that food safety and nutrition should be evaluated through rigorous scientific standards.
Researchers and nutrition experts, meanwhile, say clearer standards could make it easier for parents to identify healthier choices without having to interpret complicated ingredient lists.
Until stronger regulations or clearer labeling requirements are introduced, experts recommend that parents focus on simpler foods with fewer highly processed ingredients and build meals and snacks around fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein and healthy fats.
The study does not suggest that every packaged toddler food is unhealthy, but it does highlight the difficulty parents may face when trying to distinguish nutritious products from heavily processed ones.
With more than 80% of the toddler products examined classified as ultraprocessed and nearly half failing at least one WHO nutritional benchmark, the findings add to the growing discussion about how children’s food is manufactured, marketed and labelled.
Keywords: ultraprocessed toddler foods, toddler food study, toddler nutrition, healthy toddler foods, processed baby food, WHO toddler nutrition standards, toddler food additives, added sugar toddler foods, toddler food sodium, healthy snacks for toddlers
Asian Burg / Health / Nutrition
