Study finds 4 out of 5 foods for toddlers are ultraprocessed, half fail WHO tests
Tue, July 28, 2026 at 2:52 PM
A new study found that four out of five foods sold for and marketed toward toddlers were ultraprocessed, and more than half failed one or more nutrition tests from the World Health Organization. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI (WKRC) – A new study found that four out of five foods sold for and marketed toward toddlers were ultraprocessed, and more than half failed one or more nutrition tests from the World Health Organization
According to a new study presented by Erin Hudson at the American Society for Nutrition’s annual meeting, an audit of foods target toward toddlers at 21 grocery stores in Texas found that over 80% of the foods were ultraprocessed and 49% failed to meet one or more nutrition standards established by the World Health Organization (WHO) for children between 6 to 36 months old
The foods examined in the study included infant formula, purees, baby food, fruit pouches, mac and cheese, oat bars, and more and meals specifically target towards children in that age range. The study found that the ultraprocessed foods were much more likely to be high in sugar, sodium, fat, and low in energy density, all benchmarks that the WHO established were necessary to the health of young children
“During these critical early years of development, most parents are trying to feed their children healthfully but may be challenged to do so by the toddler food products available in their grocery stores,” Hudson said. “Warning labels on products exceeding nutrient thresholds could help parents navigate the toddler food environment and might encourage manufacturers to reformulate these products.”
Researchers noted that their study only accounted for packaged products and therefore may not reflect what parents actually feed their children
“Many parents may assume that products sold on the baby/toddler food aisles of their grocery stores have to meet certain nutrient standards. Our findings highlight that half of the toddler foods available in local grocery stores do not,” Hudson said. “As a result, parents have to be vigilant in checking labels and ingredients to determine the nutrient content and processing level of products for their toddlers.”
