Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that producers of baby food do not routinely breach official guidelines on sugar levels.

European Commission Directive 2006/125/EC on processed cereal-based foods and baby foods sets maximum limits on the sugar content of processed cereal-based foods for infants and young children.

It is the responsibility of food businesses to ensure they comply with the relevant legislation. Enforcement of food law is the responsibility of local authorities.

Public Health England’s (PHE) review ‘Foods and drinks aimed at infants and young children: evidence and opportunities for action’ was published in June 2019. The Department is considering PHE’s advice and the opportunities for action to improve the nutritional quality of foods aimed at infants and young children.

PHE’s review is available at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/812204/Foods_and_drinks_aimed_at_infants_and_young_children_June_2019.pdf