Dentists have issued a warning over baby food pouches, saying that many of them are more sugary than Coca-Cola.
A survey by the British Dental Association (BDA) of 109 pouches aimed at children under 12 months old found that more than a quarter contained more sugar by volume than Coca-Cola. Fruit-based pouches marketed for infants as young as four months old contained sugar levels the equivalent of up to 150% of the soft drink, according to the findings.
Almost 40% of products surveyed were marketed at babies "four months plus" despite both UK and World Health Organisation guidance recommending weaning from six months old. The findings jarred with marketing claims that the products contained only "naturally occurring sugars" or "no added sugar", or that they were "nutritionally approved" or in line with infants' "nutritional and developmental needs", the BDA said.
