Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the findings of the BBC Panorama programme The Truth about Baby Food Pouches which was aired on 28 April; and whether they will issue guidance to parents on baby food pouches and on healthy alternatives for babies.

While we have not undertaken an assessment of the findings of the BBC Panorama programme which aired on 28 April, a document that looked at the baby food market was published by Public Health England in 2019. This evidence review showed that some commercial baby foods, particularly finger foods, had added sugar, or contained ingredients that are high in sugar. It also found that approximately one-third of commercial baby foods and drinks are packaged in pouches, and that messaging on how to feed these products to a baby was inconsistent across the market.

A 2023 report by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition highlighted that free sugar intakes are above recommendations, and that commercial baby food and drinks contributed to approximately 20% of free sugars intakes in children aged 12 to 18 months old. This does not align with recommendations that in diets of children aged one to five years old, foods, including snacks, that are high in free sugars should be limited, and that commercially manufactured foods and drinks are not needed to meet nutrient requirements.

It is vital that the highest standards for foods consumed by babies and infants are maintained. This is why there are regulations in place that set nutritional and compositional standards for commercial baby food. The regulations also set labelling standards to ensure consumers have clear and accurate information about the products they buy.

The Start for Life website provides trusted National Health Service guidance, videos, and simple weaning recipes to help parents introduce solid foods without the need for commercial baby foods, including pouches. The website also provides further advice and recipes for older babies and toddlers. A weekly email programme offers ongoing support to parents, and printed materials on introducing solid foods, produced by Start for Life, are shared by health visitors.