More Than 80% of Toddler Foods Are Ultraprocessed
Foods marketed specifically for toddlers may not always be as healthy as their packaging suggests. A new analysis of nearly 2,800 products found that more than 80% were ultraprocessed, while almost half failed to meet at least one nutrition standard designed for young children.
The findings were presented at NUTRITION 2026 by researchers from the University of Texas at Austin. The study examined foods sold for children between 6 and 36 months and compared their nutritional content with standards developed by the World Health Organization. Because the findings were presented at a scientific conference and have not yet gone through full peer review, they should be considered preliminary.
Most Toddler Foods Were Ultraprocessed
Researchers examined 2,783 products photographed at 21 grocery stores in Austin, Texas. About 81% of the products were classified as ultraprocessed under the NOVA food classification system.
Ultraprocessed foods generally contain multiple ingredients and additives that are not typically found in minimally processed foods. These can include preservatives, emulsifiers, artificial colors, flavor enhancers and modified forms of sugar, salt or fat.
The study excluded infant formula, drinks and purees commonly used as first foods. Instead, researchers focused on products marketed specifically for toddlers.
Nearly Half Missed Nutrition Standards
The researchers also compared the products with the WHO Nutrition and Promotion Profile Model, which provides nutrition and marketing standards for commercial foods intended for children from 6 to 36 months.
Nearly 49% of the products failed to meet at least one of those standards. Sugar, sodium, fat and calorie content were among the areas that raised concerns.
Researchers found that toddler products that did not meet the WHO’s sugar recommendations were four times more likely to be ultraprocessed.
Some examples included fruit pouches and oat bars with high sugar levels, while ready-to-eat macaroni and cheese and turkey sausages were among products containing higher amounts of sodium and fat.
Packaging May Not Tell the Whole Story
One concern raised by the researchers is that parents may assume foods placed in the baby or toddler section automatically meet specific nutritional standards.
But the study suggests that simply being marketed toward young children does not necessarily mean a product has an ideal nutritional profile.
Parents may therefore need to look beyond packaging and check the nutrition facts panel and ingredient list. Foods labeled organic can also contain high amounts of certain nutrients, meaning an organic label alone does not determine whether a product is nutritionally appropriate.
What Does Ultraprocessed Mean?
The term ultraprocessed food is commonly used for products that have undergone extensive industrial processing and contain ingredients or additives that are uncommon in traditional cooking.
The NOVA system places foods into four broad categories, ranging from unprocessed or minimally processed foods to ultraprocessed products.
However, there is still no universally accepted scientific definition of ultraprocessed food. Industry representatives have also questioned how the category is defined and argued that research should rely on rigorous, peer-reviewed evidence.
What Can Parents Do?
The researchers say toddlers do not necessarily need foods specifically packaged and marketed for their age group once they can safely chew and eat regular family foods.
Instead, healthy foods prepared for the household can often be adapted for young children by chopping, mashing or preparing them in an age-appropriate way. Fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, whole grains and other minimally processed foods can form part of a balanced diet.
The new findings highlight the importance of reading labels rather than relying solely on marketing claims. More research will be needed to understand the long-term health effects of the high level of ultraprocessed foods found in products marketed to toddlers.
