At present, the United States does not have any laws in place requiring baby food makers to meet the WHO’s recommendations, the authors of the new study noted.

Furthermore, its regulatory process has not kept pace with the vast number of new baby food products that have entered the market.

The goal of this research was to determine just how well U.S.-based companies are doing in meeting nutritional standards in the absence of regulation.

The team collected data from 669 different baby and toddler foods that were available at the time of the study in 2023.

The researchers selected various baby foods sold at major grocery store chains around the U.S. by visiting one location of each store in the area of Raleigh, NC. The grocery stores visited by the researchers included:

• Walmart
• Kroger
• Costco
• Ahold Delhaize
• Publix
• Sam’s Club
• Target
• Aldi stores

They additionally collected data from the websites for H-E-B and Safeway.

Among the facts collected were the manufacturer’s name, brand name, product description, ingredients, nutrition information per 100-gram serving, and any health-related claims on the package.

Their analysis, however, did not include formulas, fortified milks, oral electrolytes, or foods not specifically available in the baby food section of each store.

The foods were divided into eight categories as outlined by the WHO’s Nutrient and Promotion Profile Model (NPPM). Within these categories, they were further broken down into subcategories.

Each food was then compared against the NPPM’s standards for its category to determine whether its nutrient composition measured up.

Finally, the team looked at any claims the product manufacturers made, deeming those related to allergens, religion, or vegetarian/vegan as being allowed while all others were considered to be prohibited.

Looking at individual macronutrients, the researchers found that only about 30% of all products met the WHO’s protein recommendations.

Additionally, only 56% were in line with the organization’s advice regarding sugar. However, 93% did comply with its recommendations on fat content.

They also found that around 25% of the products did not meet calorie requirements, and contained added free sugar and sweeteners.

Also, about 1 in 5 items had more than the advised sodium limit.

About 60% of baby and toddler foods were not labeled with age recommendations, which should be listed in months and years, according to the WHO. Instead, many used words or phrases like “toddler” or “crawling baby.”

The study authors also reported that, on average, products had nearly five health- and nutrient-related claims each.

Additionally, many of these health claims fell into categories that the WHO did not allow, such as “organic” or “no preservatives.”

Steve Gendron, PhD, an immunology and endocrinology specialist and founder of Mindful Living Choice, said it’s important to read labels when it comes to baby food. Gendron wasn’t involved in the study.

He advised looking for foods with recognizable ingredients, such as fruits, vegetables, and grains. He advised against foods with added sugar, salt, and artificial preservatives.

Gendron suggested looking at the amounts of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals in the food. “These are key for your baby’s growth and development,” he told Healthline.

Additionally, you’ll want to keep an eye on the product’s iron content. “Babies need iron for brain development, so choose foods fortified with iron, especially if your baby is mostly breastfed,” he said.

Gendron further noted that you’ll want to make sure the label clearly indicates whether the food contains common allergens such as nuts, dairy, or gluten.

Regarding serving sizes, he said to make sure the size is appropriate for your baby’s age and needs. “Overly large portions can lead to overeating or waste,” he cautioned.