Overview

• New NHS guidance states pouches, jars and trays of processed baby food should only be used occasionally and must not replace home-cooked meals.
• Parents are told to squeeze pouch contents onto a spoon instead of letting babies feed directly from spouts to prevent tooth decay.
• Solid foods should be introduced at around six months, with a quick transition from purees to mashed and finger foods and no shop-bought snacks for children under one year.
• Investigations have shown leading baby food brands’ pouches can lack key nutrients like iron and vitamin C while containing high levels of free sugars.
• Health experts and charities are calling for stricter regulations on baby food marketing, improved labelling and better parental education on homemade feeding options.