Latest news with #Ella'sKitchen
Daily Mirror
29-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Horrifying truth about baby food pouches that contain alarming amounts of nasty ingredient
A BBC Panorama investigation found that some popular baby food pouches contain more of certain ingredients than a one-year-old should have in an entire day, as well as lacking essential nutrients Some popular baby food pouches sold in UK supermarkets — including those by Ella's Kitchen — contain more of one unhealthy ingredient than a one-year-old should consume in an entire day, it has been revealed. Government guidelines recommend that infants have as little sugar as possible, with a maximum of 10g per day. However, laboratory testing commissioned by a BBC Panorama investigation found that some products exceeded this, with one pouch from Ella's Kitchen containing a staggering 19.6g of sugar, equivalent to more than four teaspoons — more than is found in many fizzy drinks. The investigation also revealed that most products tested failed to provide sufficient vitamin C or iron, both essential nutrients for infants' growth and development. READ MORE: Boy, 3, dies in scorching hot 31C car after step-mum forgets to take him to nursery Experts described the findings as 'really concerning' and criticised misleading marketing, such as 'no added sugar' claims. While technically true — no sugar is added — the process of pureeing fruit releases free sugars, making them more rapidly absorbable than those in whole fruit. Free sugars include those naturally present in honey, syrups, and fruit juices, or released during processing — like when fruit is pureed. Unlike eating whole fruit, where sugars are contained within cell walls, pureed fruit can lead to sugar spikes and increased risk of tooth decay and obesity. Dr. Eddie Crouch, chair of the British Dental Association, highlighted the impact on dental health, saying: 'We're seeing children barely out of weaning needing multiple tooth extractions. It's not all down to baby food pouches, but they're clearly contributing to the problem.' Over 250 baby food pouches are currently on sale in the UK, favoured by parents for their convenience and long shelf life. As part of the investigation, the BBC tested fruit, yoghurt, and savoury pouches from six leading brands and supermarkets: Ella's Kitchen, Heinz, Piccolo, Little Freddie, Aldi, and Lidl. Little Freddie and Piccolo both defended the accuracy of their labelling, while Ella's Kitchen said it "would never use misleading claims." Heinz declined to respond to questions about marketing. The BBC also found 'halo marketing' was widespread - branding products with phrases like 'Good for Brains' or 'as nutritionally good as homemade' despite questionable nutritional value. When it came to savoury pouches — often used by parents as a main meal — all tested products failed to meet iron requirements. An infant needs 7.8mg of iron daily, but the highest level found in any pouch was just 1mg, with some meat-based options delivering as little as 0.1mg. Vitamin C levels were also alarmingly low. In one case, Piccolo's Pure Mango pouch retained less than 0.1mg of vitamin C — compared to 18.2mg found in the same quantity of fresh mango. This is far below the recommended 25mg daily intake for infants. Although Public Health England drafted voluntary baby food guidelines in 2020, they have yet to be published under either the current Labour-led or previous Conservative governments. The Department of Health and Social Care responded by stating that food safety laws already ensure baby food claims must be clear and accurate, and reiterated its commitment to improving children's health and tackling obesity through its broader Plan for Change.
Daily Mail
28-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Baby food pouches fail to give infants the nutrients they need, experts reveal
Baby food pouches from six leading brands fail to meet children's key nutritional needs, researchers found. Brightly packaged products made by Ella's Kitchen, Heinz, Piccolo, Little Freddie, Aldi and Lidl were tested for their nutritional value and found to be lacking. As well as being low in iron, which is vital for an infant's development, some contained more sugar than a one-year-old should consume in a day – despite being marked as containing 'no added sugar'. The BBC Panorama investigation also found that nearly all the vitamin C in one fruit pouch had been lost during the manufacturing process. Dr Alison Tedstone, a former government chief nutritionist, said the nutritional claims of baby food pouches were 'misleading', adding: 'You think as a parent it is a healthy product, and it just isn't.' Dental experts also warned against feeding babies through the plastic spout on pouches, as this may cause tooth decay. Eddie Crouch, of the British Dental Association, said: 'Parents of infants are still being marketed products more sugary than Coke. Voluntary action has failed. We need government to step up and force industry to do the right thing.' Children who were 'barely out of weaning' were going to hospital for multiple tooth extractions, Mr Crouch told the BBC. 'It's obviously not all down to these pouches,' he added. 'But clearly, regular use and feeding with these pouches with such high levels of sugar cause serious problems to the general health of children as they're growing up.' Pouches that do not contain added sugar may contain up to four teaspoons of 'free sugars' created when fruit is blended. Last year, an international study found more than 200 branded food products aimed at UK babies and toddlers failed to meet World Health Organisation nutrition and marketing standards, with excessive sugar, salt or calories. Experts say big brands surround their products with healthy-sounding words and phrases – known as 'halo marketing' – to trick parents. Ella's Kitchen, for example, describes savoury products as 'perfectly balanced for growing babies', while Piccolo claims many pouches are 'packed with goodness'. Some Little Freddie pouches are branded as 'Good for Brains' and Heinz claims some of its fruit products are 'as nutritionally good as homemade'. Market leader Ella's Kitchen agreed its products should be used sparingly, were not replacements for homemade meals and could cause health problems if used as children's main source of nutrition. The firm added that it would 'never, ever' put profit above the health of children. Lidl said it welcomed clear government guidelines, Little Freddie said it actively participated in policy consultations and Piccolo said it developed 'recipes that combine fruits with vegetables' to reduce sugar levels. Aldi said it would relabel its fruit pouches to reflect NHS guidance that babies should not be given solid food until the age of six months.
Times
28-04-2025
- Health
- Times
‘Healthy' baby food pouches ‘lack vital nutrients'
Baby food pouches from six leading brands are failing to meet the nutritional needs of babies and toddlers, a BBC investigation has found. Eighteen pouches of baby food, made by Ella's Kitchen, Heinz, Piccolo, Little Freddie, Aldi and Lidl, were found to be low in vitamin C and iron. Some also contained more sugar than a one-year-old should have in a day. A laboratory approved by the UK Accreditation Service was commissioned by the Panorama programme to test the nutritional value of fruit, yoghurt and savoury pouch from each of the six brands. Some savoury pouches contained less than 5 per cent of the iron an infant needs in a day, and some of them had high levels of sugar. The tests also found that
The Guardian
28-04-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Leading baby food brands making high-sugar meals, study finds
Top brands such as Ella's Kitchen and Heinz are making sugar-heavy, nutritionally poor baby food that fails to meet the needs of infants, a study has found. The discovery has spurred on groups to call for ministers to strengthen regulation in the market, saying that the current state of affairs will negatively affect child growth and development. Researchers at the University of Leeds School of Food Science and Nutrition found that some brands also carried misleading marketing claims, leading them to urge the government to 'act now' in imposing the same traffic light system found on chocolate bars and ice-cream. Ella's Kitchen pear and peach baby rice was found to have a rice content of only 3%; while sugar made up 60% of its calories. Heinz fruity banana custard gets 71% of its total calories from sugar, with its ingredients only containing 4% milk powder; while its Baby Oat porridge is 29% sugar. The study, funded by the Which? Fund, looked at 632 food products marketed towards babies and toddlers under three. It found that 41% of main meals marketed for children had sugar levels that were too high and that 21% of ready-to-eat fruit products, cereals and meals were too watery and not providing adequate nutrition. It also discovered that many early weaning foods were being sold as being suitable for babies aged four months, which goes against NHS and World Health Organization guidance. The study also found that a quarter of the products analysed were so high in sugar they would require a sugar warning label on the front of the pack, in accordance with WHO guidelines. According to NHS guidelines, babies aged one should have no more than 10g of sugar per day, and no more than 14g per day for children aged two and three. The sugar recommendation is applicable to naturally occurring free sugars and added sugars. The report also surveyed more than 1,000 parents. It found that 70% of parents agreed that high sugar baby foods should have front-of-pack warning labels; while 59% were concerned about the high levels of naturally occurring sugars in food. Dr Diane Threapleton, the lead author of the study, said: 'Voluntary guidelines are often ineffective, and so regulation is needed to make sure that change happens. 'With around 1.7 million children between six and 36 months in the UK, 'baby food' is a massive market. Widespread availability of inappropriate products with poor nutritional quality will negatively impact child growth and development.' Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Dr Vicky Sibson, the director of First Steps Nutrition Trust, said: 'As a result of pervasive misleading marketing, parents are unwittingly buying products that are simply not good enough nutritionally. Stronger, mandatory baby food regulations are long overdue.' Sue Davies, the head of food policy at Which?, said: 'The government urgently needs to update the out-of-date laws for commercial baby foods to ensure there are tighter controls on their composition – including limits on their sugar and salt content – make labelling clear and upfront and clamp down on any misleading marketing claims that suggest products are healthier than they really are.' A spokesperson for Ella's Kitchen said: 'There is nothing misleading about the name of this product. It follows strict legislation on how foods must be named, and clearly reflects exactly what is in the pouch – pears, peach and baby rice – in order of quantity. 'Our 'no added sugar' claim is legally approved – and absolutely accurate. We never add sugar to our weaning products; all the sweetness comes naturally from the fruit and veg we use to make them.' A spokesman for Kraft Heinz said: 'We're proud of the role we play in families' lives and remain committed to the health and wellbeing of infants and young children. We provide quality products based on nutrition science that meet the nutrient requirements specific to this life stage and adhere to stringent UK/EU regulation. 'Our convenient, resealable pouches, made from natural ingredients with no added sugars, should be used as a complementary part of a varied weaning diet (six+ months) and are designed to be squeezed into a bowl or straight on to a spoon – as communicated on pack.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'Existing laws already set nutrition needs for baby foods, and we support enforcement against any product that does not meet these expectations.'
Daily Mail
28-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Health warning over baby food after probe reveals shocking level of harmful ingredient
Britain's most sugar-laden baby foods were today named and shamed. Some products — including ones sold by Ella's Kitchen — contained more sugar than a one-year-old should have in a day. Government guidance states infants should have as little sugar as possible, and that a one-year-old child should have no more than 10g of free sugars a day. But laboratory testing of more than a dozen baby food pouches sold in UK supermarkets found some contained higher levels than those found in fizzy drinks, with one reporting over 19g — more than four teaspoons. The alarming investigation also discovered most failed to even provide sufficient vitamin C or iron, essential nutrients infants need every day. Experts today labelled the BBC probe 'really concerning', arguing that 'no added sugar' statements on packaging may make parents think the products are healthier than they are. Doctors, dentists and other experts want ministers to ban products being sold with 'intentionally misleading' health claims. There are currently more than 250 baby food pouch products available in the UK — their convenience and long shelf lives have seen them become a staple for many households with young children. As part of the investigation, BBC Panorama commissioned a lab to independently test the nutritional value of a fruit, yoghurt and savoury pouch from each of the four leading brands and two supermarkets. These included Ella's Kitchen, Heinz, Piccolo, Little Freddie, Aldi and Lidl. The highest 'free sugar' level found by the BBC was Ella's Kitchen's Bananas and Apples, which has 19.6g of sugar — equivalent to more than four teaspoons. Free sugars — those added to products — are released from fruit when it is pureed. Unlike eating fresh fruit, which is much better for a child, pureeing releases sugar from inside fruit cell walls and can be absorbed much more quickly. Yet Ella's Kitchen, as well as Lidl, Aldi, Piccolo and Heinz, label their products as containing 'no added sugar' despite the tests showing otherwise. Eating too much sugar over time can lead to weight gain and tooth decay. Eddie Crouch, chairman of the British Dental Association (BDA), said hospitals had seen young children 'barely out of weaning' needing multiple tooth extractions because of tooth decay caused by their diets. The highest 'free sugar' level found by the BBC was Ella's Kitchen's Bananas and Apples, which has 19.6g of sugar — equivalent to more than four teaspoons. Of the four pouches tested containing meat — known to be a good source of iron — Piccolo's Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese contained the lowest level at 0.1mg He said: 'It's obviously not all down to these pouches. 'But clearly, regular use and feeding with these pouches with such high levels of sugar cause serious problems to the general health of children as they're growing up.' Panorama also found many of the biggest brands use 'halo-marketing', surrounding products with healthy words or phrases, which could potentially 'mislead' parents. Piccolo said it develops 'recipes that combine fruits with vegetables' to reduce sugar levels, while Ella's Kitchen said that, 'the sugar content would be the same if you pureed the ingredients yourself at home' and that it has 'a dedicated sugar reduction pathway for 2025'. Some Little Freddie pouches come branded as 'Good for Brains' and Heinz claims some of its fruit products are 'as nutritionally good as homemade'. According to the BBC, Piccolo and Little Freddie said their packaging accurately represented the key ingredients and flavours contained in their products, while Ella's Kitchen said it 'would never use' misleading claims. Heinz did not address the BBC's questions on marketing. Savoury pouches, meanwhile, are often used by parents as a main meal. Yet, none of those tested came close to providing the 7.8mg of iron an infant requires in a day, the probe found — crucial for healthy growth, development, and brain function. If a child does not have enough iron in their diet they will become iron-deficient and may even develop anaemia requiring treatment. A lack of iron may cause a child to look pale, become tired more easily, become irritable and have a poor appetite. Of the four pouches tested containing meat — known to be a good source of iron — Piccolo's Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese contained the lowest level at 0.1mg. This was followed by Heinz's Sweet Potato, Chicken and Veggies, with just over 0.3mg of iron and Lidl's Chicken Casserole with 0.4mg. Even those with the most, still failed to meet the requirements dramatically. Little Freddie Butternut Squash, Red Lentil and Coconut contained 1mg of iron, while Ella's Kitchen Spag Bol had 0.7mg. The BBC also found that nearly all the vitamin C in one of the fruit pouches tested had been lost during the manufacturing process. Vitamin C is important for immune systems and an infant needs 25mg a day, the government says. But the Pure Mango pouch from Piccolo had, in effect, no vitamin C left — less than 0.1mg. This is despite the same amount of fresh mango (70g) containing 18.2mg of vitamin C. Voluntary guidelines for manufacturers aimed at improving standards were drawn up for the government by Public Health England in 2020. However, none have been published by either the current Labour or former Conservative Government. Existing laws already ensure that the safety and quality of baby foods and the claims made on packaging are clear and accurate, the Department of Health and Social Care said. It also added that it was 'committed to tackling the childhood obesity crisis and improving children's health through our Plan for Change, external'.
