Overview

• Lab tests commissioned by BBC Panorama found baby food pouches from six major brands, including Ella's Kitchen and Heinz, low in iron and vitamin C, with some exceeding daily sugar limits for infants.
• A University of Leeds study of over 600 products revealed a quarter of baby foods contained sugar levels high enough to warrant warning labels under WHO guidelines.
• Some products were marketed for babies as young as four months, contrary to NHS and WHO recommendations to introduce solids only after six months.
• Public health experts and advocacy groups are urging the government to enforce mandatory nutritional standards and front-of-pack sugar warning labels for baby foods.
• Brands have pledged changes, including aligning age labels with NHS guidelines and reducing sugar content by 2025, but experts argue stronger regulations are urgently needed.