Campaigners claim babies could become addicted to sugary snacks
A new report compiled by the campaign group Action on Sugar claims that babies and toddlers could become addicted to sugary snacks.
Researchers from the group found that out of 73 products, 37% would have a red label for sugar content. All of the products analysed by the team had health claims on the packaging, despite the fact that only six snacks would be given a green food label.
Babies and infants may have a preference for sweeter foods due to milk tasting slightly sweet, Dr Kawther Hashem explained, but the content of sugar in snacks for infants is far too high.
Dr Hashem, campaign lead and research fellow at Queen Mary University of London, said that babies should not be given free sugars and called for the government to introduce new guidelines for products aimed at babies and young children.
The highest sugar content (8.7g per serving) was found in Heinz Farley’s Mini Rusks Original and Kiddylicious Banana Crispy Tiddlers, which contain 59g of sugar per 100g.
Action on Sugar is urging parents to read nutrition labels carefully when choosing products for young children and has encouraged the government to introduce new guidelines to prevent manufacturers from using misleading health claims.
A survey carried out by researchers at the group found that over 80% of parents buy snacks for their children.
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