Regular readers of the blog will know that I've worked with Organix for several years as a No Junk Mum and I'm a massive fan of the company and their yummy organic baby, toddler and kids snacks. This year Organix have invited me to take on a new challenge as part of their Junk Busters Panel. Over the next few weeks and months we'll be investigating exactly what is in baby and toddler foods and snacks.
Increasingly concerned about the quality and quantity of unnecessary ingredients in some baby finger foods and toddler snacks, Organix recently commissioned a survey to uncover parents’ attitudes to snacks for babies and toddlers, and to find out what they think needs to change. Some of the results were really quite eye-opening!
- Number of ingredients: 76% of parents were shocked to discover that some baby and toddler snacks contain up to 30 separate ingredients.
- Added salt: 85% of parents were shocked to find some baby finger foods and toddler snacks contain almost the same level of salt as a regular bag of adult crisps. 82% were shocked that extra salt is added to some baby and toddler snacks to boost the flavour.
- Regulation: 88% were shocked that some of the foods sold in the baby aisle are not protected by regulations.
A quarter of parents (27%) admitted to making a decision on whether to buy a food just by looking at the front of pack, despite the fact that 40% say they don’t trust the healthy food claims found there. I must admit that although I do try to look at the ingredients lists of products I haven't bought before, I've definitely been guilty of buying products without too much thought on occasion, it's all to easy to just grab what looks good without thinking too deeply about it!
This quick video from TV personality, food investigator and mum of two Cherry Healey highlights how unnecessary ingredients like salt are sneaking into some baby and toddler snacks:
- Really long ingredient lists: look for products with fewer ingredients.
- Added ingredients: there’s no need for anything unnecessary, so avoid foods with added salt, sugar or flavourings.
- Unrecognisable ingredients: look at the back of the packet and choose something with simple ingredients – things that you recognise.
- The organic logo - If you see an organic logo on pack you can feel sure what you buy has been made to the highest standards.
As I've mentioned before, I've always been a big fan of Organix products for their short ingredients lists with no unnecessary additives - I've been a happy customer for nearly 10 years now! My boys love their snacks and I love their No Junk promise!
- Always 100% organic
- Nothing unnecessary
- Never any processed sugar or hydrogenated fat
- Never any colourings, flavourings, flavour enhancers or preservatives
- Clear and honest food labelling
Over the next few weeks I'll be working with Organix to find out more about what goes into kids snacks and carrying out some investigations of my own - I'll be writing about what I find here on the blog so watch this space for my update!
In the meantime, why not take a good look at the back of the packs when you're next shopping for kids foods and share what you find using the #FoodYouCanTrust hashtag on social media.
Grace
Disclosure: This blog post was commissioned by Organix. I was compensated for my time, however all opinions expressed in this post are my own.
Mel says
I was also really shocked about the fact there is no set of strict regulations when it comes to food labelled as baby or toddler food. It is absolutely not on that salt is added to baby food as a way to enhance flavours. It's completely unnecessary!