Baby food firms given 18 months to cut sugar and salt in products

New government guidelines are being introduced to reduce the amount of sugar and salt in baby foods.

Manufacturers will be given 18 months to implement the new rules for baby foods aimed at children up to 36 months old.

They will be required to change recipes to reduce sugar and salt, without the use of sweeteners.

High sugar intake in children’s diets is a major contributor to rates of childhood obesity in the UK, which is among the highest in Western Europe.

Obesity currently costs the NHS around £11.4 billion a year.

There will also be new rules about labelling on baby food to try and clamp down on misleading claims about ingredients.

For example, some products labelled as snacks for babies from seven months onwards contradict government recommendations that children aged 6-12 months do not need snacks between meals, only milk.

Manufacturers will also be told to cease using marketing claims that make products appear healthier than they are – for example, products with labels such as “contains no nasties” – when products may be high in sugar.

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Minister for Public Health, Ashley Dalton, said that babies’ development is being harmed by poor diets and unhealthy food.

“Too often, parents are bombarded with confusing labels, disguising unhealthy foods packed with hidden sugars and salt,” she said.

“Our Plan for Change will tackle this, giving parents the information they need and providing children with good nutritious food.

“I’m determined to make it far easier for parents to keep their children healthy.

“From working with influencers to get children exercising, to banning junk food ads near schools – our 10 Year Health Plan will help kids today be part of the healthiest generation of children ever.”

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