What Are You Really Feeding Your Baby? Lots Of Salt, Sugar And Fat Says Irish Watchdog

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland have found that 15 per cent of baby food products are high in sugar, fat and salt.

The study took into account 448 commercial baby food products and found that 69 products were inappropriate for babies due to their contents and ingredients.

According to The Sunday Times, the research was compiled with the school of biological sciences at DIT and many products marketed for babies such as cheesecake, rice pudding and three cheese sauces were found to be bad for Irish children.

Many baby products are inappropriate for Irish children according to the FSAI

Mary Flynn chief specialist in public health nutrition at the authority said that although the products do not breech Irish food and nutrition legislation they are giving Irish parents the idea that babies need rich and sweet foods at such a young age.

“Food law does not suggest that you can’t make chocolate or crisps for babies and there’s nothing to prevent someone from doing that.

“We looked at 448 products and 15 per cent came up as giving the wrong message.

“What you put in baby food should be appropriate for babies and a pure dessert such as chocolate and cheesecake or a product with added sugar fat or salt is not,” she said.

The research also revealed that there are a number of fruit juices and mineral waters for babies as young as four months old despite the fact that breast milk, formula and water are the only recommended liquids for babies.

It is recommended that children are introduced to solid foods at the age of six months.

A study last week revealed that many Irish babies were being introduced to fizzy drinks, chocolate and chips as before they even turned one.