A National Scandal That’s Rotting Our Children’s Teeth from the First Spoonful
It sounds like a dystopian joke: babies being weaned onto food sweeter than Coca-Cola. But this is no exaggeration. It’s the damning reality revealed by the most comprehensive analysis of baby food sold in the UK to date—and it should outrage every parent, policymaker, and healthcare professional in the country.
According to this new research, which surveyed 209 baby food products aimed at children under 12 months, more than a quarter had a higher sugar content by volume than Coca-Cola. One product clocked in at 184% more sugar than the soft drink – and it’s being marketed to infants as young as four months old. These sugar-laced pouches are being sold with soft pastel branding, feel-good phrases like “nutritionist approved,” and hollow buzzwords like “organic” or “one of your five a day.” But behind the marketing gloss is a disturbing truth: this industry is peddling sugar-laden desserts disguised as health food to babies.
The research reveals:
- Nearly three-quarters of baby food products exceeded the sugar threshold (5g per 100ml), which would subject them to the government’s sugar tax if they were drinks.
- One in four products contained up to two-thirds of an adult’s recommended maximum daily intake of sugar.
- Boutique brands—ironically marketed as premium and health-conscious—had more sugar than supermarket own-brand options.
Leading brands like Ella’s Kitchen and For Aisha are among the worst offenders.
Ella’s Kitchen’s “Banana Puree” took the top (or bottom) spot for sugar by volume. Their product isn’t a snack—it’s practically syrup. For Aisha’s “Pear & Pomegranate” pouch, marketed to babies from four months, contains 16.4g of sugar per 100g. That’s about the same as half a can of Coke—aimed at infants who don’t even have teeth.
Even Aldi’s Mamia Organic “Bananas & Apples” pouch, a budget brand, packs nearly two-thirds of an adult’s recommended daily sugar intake in a single pouch.
The Industry Is Out of Control
Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in children, leading to more severe health issues like diabetes and cardiovascular disease in later life.
Dentists are seeing infants come in with rotten teeth before their first birthday, thanks to these so-called “healthy” foods. Babies sucking directly from pouches prolongs sugar exposure, dramatically raising the risk of tooth decay. And these products don’t just harm teeth—they warp taste preferences, creating lifelong sugar addiction.
Lip Service Isn’t Enough. In the world of “profit over health”, health is losing!
This is no longer a parental problem—it’s a national disgrace. When tooth decay, obesity, and Type 2 diabetes start before preschool, we are failing our children at the most fundamental level.
The sugar-soaked baby food industry is out of control. I am no fan of overregulation, but even I say that now it’s time for the government to take control!
Dr Julian Perry.
