Top baby food pouches fall short on key nutrients, tests reveal
Experts warn parents as tests reveal baby food pouches lack important nutrients such as iron and vitamin C and are often high in sugar.
Baby food pouches from some of the UK’s best-known brands are falling short on key nutrition — and could be misleading parents with their marketing, a BBC Panorama investigation has revealed.
Laboratory tests on products from six brands – Ella’s Kitchen, Heinz, Piccolo, Little Freddie, Aldi and Lidl – found many pouches low in essential nutrients like iron and vitamin C, while others contained worryingly high levels of sugar.
Experts say while pouches are convenient, they should only be used sparingly and aren't a substitute for homemade or freshly prepared meals.
Low iron levels spark concern
One of the biggest concerns was the low iron content found in savoury pouches, which many parents use as main meals.
Tests showed some pouches delivered less than 5% of the iron a baby needs daily, despite ingredients like chicken being highlighted on the packaging.
"That's really low. Very, very low," said paediatric dietitian Bahee Van de Bor from the British Dietetic Association, adding that iron is vital for a healthy immune system, growth, and brain development.
Sugar levels rival fizzy drinks
While many brands proudly advertise their products as having "no added sugar", the investigation found that fruit pouches still contained high levels of free sugars — the type released when fruit is pureed.
Some pouches contained more sugar than a can of fizzy drink, with Ella’s Kitchen’s Bananas and Apples pouch topping the chart at 19.6g of sugar – more than four teaspoons.
"The wording itself is intended to mislead," said Eddie Crouch, chair of the British Dental Association, warning that excess sugar intake at such a young age is contributing to dental decay and hospital admissions for multiple tooth extractions.
Vitamin C lost during production
Tests also revealed that vitamin C — important for a strong immune system — had degraded significantly during manufacturing.
In one case, Piccolo’s Pure Mango pouch contained virtually no vitamin C, compared to the same weight of fresh mango, which naturally holds 18.2mg of the vitamin.
“That is a huge surprise for me,” said Ms Van de Bor. "What’s left is free sugars, sadly, and fluids, plus a small amount of fibre."
Experts call for tighter rules
All six brands stressed their pouches are intended to be part of a varied weaning diet and said they meet UK regulatory standards.
Ella’s Kitchen agreed pouches should be used alongside other foods, while Piccolo said it is working to rebalance its recipes to reduce sugar.
Some brands, including Ella’s Kitchen and Piccolo, have also pledged to change their recommended starting age from four months to six months, aligning with NHS and World Health Organization (WHO) guidance.
Despite voluntary efforts by brands, public health experts argue that firmer government regulations are needed to protect infants.
"The baby food industry isn't going to change unless they are forced to," said Dr Alison Tedstone, former chief nutritionist to the UK government.
Dr Kremlin Wickramasinghe from WHO agreed, adding: "We need to put babies’ health ahead of commercial incentives to sell more products."
What does this mean for parents?
For busy parents, pouches can still have a place in a balanced diet — but experts recommend they are used occasionally, not relied on daily.
When choosing baby foods, parents are encouraged to read labels carefully, prioritise iron-rich homemade meals where possible, and offer a spoon rather than letting babies suck directly from the pouch, which can lead to overeating and dental issues.
Above all, no parent should feel guilty. As Dr Tedstone puts it: "You think as a parent it is a healthy product, and it just isn't — but you are being misled."
Watch Panorama: The Truth about Baby Food Pouches on Monday 28 April 2025 at 8pm.
Pics: Getty