Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

Over 70% Baby Foods In US Contain High Salt, Sugar And Additives

More than 70 percent of infant and toddler food products, including drinks and snacks, sold in the United States are ultra-processed and also contain additives that are associated with several health problems, according to a new study. 

The study comes as the Donald Trump-led US government recently released updated dietary guidelines for Americans. For the first time, the recommendations urge citizens to avoid highly processed foods and also suggest limiting added sugars and refined carbohydrates.

The February 2026 study published in the peer-reviewed journal Nutrients analyzed 651 food products sold by the top 10 largest US grocery stores for children aged 6 months to 36 months. 

The results showed that a whopping 71 percent of products were ultra-processed foods (UPFs) -- containing higher mean levels of total <span>sugar</span>, added sugar, sodium, and energy density than non-UPF products. 

The food products also contained significantly harmful additives. Flavor enhancers (36 percent) were the most common additive, followed by thickeners (29 percent), emulsifiers (19 percent), and colors (19 percent). 

The study showed that all snack-size packaged products (94 percent) were ultra-processed, followed by full-size packages (86 percent) and pouches (73 percent). 

"We’re seeing a growing body of evidence that certain additives may harm health. With emulsifiers, thickeners, and stabilizers potentially altering gut function, and synthetic colors affecting behavioral outcomes in children, the high use of cosmetic additives found in US baby foods is particularly concerning,” said Dr. Elizabeth Dunford, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, US. 

Notably, the sugar content was greatest for snack and finger foods, with the amount of sugar and added sugars twice that of their non-UPF counterparts. Similarly, the sodium content was also consistently higher among UPFs than non-UPFs.

Almost all snack-size packaged products (94 percent) were ultra-processed, followed by full-size packages (86 percent) and pouches (73 percent). 

The researchers called for improving labeling and regulatory standards for identifying <span>UPF</span> ingredients and additives to ensure the availability of appropriate and healthy products targeting the youngest consumers. 

In recent years, there has been a huge increase in the availability and variety of commercial complementary foods on the market in the US, as well as in India. 

Research has shown a corresponding increase in several noncommunicable diseases.

Studies have established health risks of regular consumption of UPFs for adults and young children, including type 2 <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/diabetes">diabetes</a></span>, obesity, hypertension, and heart disease. In adults, UPF consumption is also linked with irritable bowel syndrome, depression, and premature death. 

<h2>UPF And Rising NCD Burden In India</h2> 

India is facing a significant rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and heart disease, among others. 

The Economic Survey, recently tabled in the Parliament by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, flagged the concerning trend, which it attributed to unhealthy diets, lifestyle changes, including sedentary lifestyles, increased consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), and environmental factors. 

“India is one of the fastest-growing markets for UPF sales. It grew by more than 150 per cent from 2009 to 2023. Retail sales of UPFs in India surged from $0.9 billion in 2006 to nearly $38 billion in 2019, a 40-fold rise. It is during the same period that obesity has nearly doubled in both men and women,” it said. 

“The rising use of UPFs imposes a substantial economic cost through higher healthcare spending, lost productivity, and long-term fiscal strain,” it added.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

ultra processed foods

baby food

sugar

Food Colors

packaged foods

salt

unhealthy fat

high sugar

diabetes

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More than 70 percent of infant and toddler food products, including drinks and snacks, sold in the United States are ultra-processed and also contain additives that are associated with several health problems, according to a new study. The study comes as the Donald Trump-led US government recently released updated dietary guidelines for Americans. For the first time, the recommendations urge citizens to avoid highly processed foods and also suggest limiting added sugars and refined carbohydrates.The February 2026 study published in the peer-reviewed journal Nutrients analyzed 651 food products sold by the top 10 largest US grocery stores for children aged 6 months to 36 months. The results showed that a whopping 71 percent of products were ultra-processed foods (UPFs) -- containing higher mean levels of total sugar, added sugar, sodium, and energy density than non-UPF products. The food products also contained significantly harmful additives. Flavor enhancers (36 percent) were the most common additive, followed by thickeners (29 percent), emulsifiers (19 percent), and colors (19 percent). The study showed that all snack-size packaged products (94 percent) were ultra-processed, followed by full-size packages (86 percent) and pouches (73 percent). "We’re seeing a growing body of evidence that certain additives may harm health. With emulsifiers, thickeners, and stabilizers potentially altering gut function, and synthetic colors affecting behavioral outcomes in children, the high use of cosmetic additives found in US baby foods is particularly concerning,” said Dr. Elizabeth Dunford, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, US. Notably, the sugar content was greatest for snack and finger foods, with the amount of sugar and added sugars twice that of their non-UPF counterparts. Similarly, the sodium content was also consistently higher among UPFs than non-UPFs.Almost all snack-size packaged products (94 percent) were ultra-processed, followed by full-size packages (86 percent) and pouches (73 percent). The researchers called for improving labeling and regulatory standards for identifying UPF ingredients and additives to ensure the availability of appropriate and healthy products targeting the youngest consumers. Why UPFs Are HarmfulIn recent years, there has been a huge increase in the availability and variety of commercial complementary foods on the market in the US, as well as in India. Research has shown a corresponding increase in several noncommunicable diseases.Studies have established health risks of regular consumption of UPFs for adults and young children, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and heart disease. In adults, UPF consumption is also linked with irritable bowel syndrome, depression, and premature death. UPF And Rising NCD Burden In India India is facing a significant rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and heart disease, among others. The Economic Survey, recently tabled in the Parliament by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, flagged the concerning trend, which it attributed to unhealthy diets, lifestyle changes, including sedentary lifestyles, increased consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), and environmental factors. “India is one of the fastest-growing markets for UPF sales. It grew by more than 150 per cent from 2009 to 2023. Retail sales of UPFs in India surged from $0.9 billion in 2006 to nearly $38 billion in 2019, a 40-fold rise. It is during the same period that obesity has nearly doubled in both men and women,” it said. “The rising use of UPFs imposes a substantial economic cost through higher healthcare spending, lost productivity, and long-term fiscal strain,” it added.