Ultra-Processed Baby Foods Are Commonly Used By Families in U.S.: Study

Prior research has linked consumption of heavily processed foods to greater risks of prediabetes, Type 2 diabetes and other serious health conditions.

A new study shows that nearly three-fourths of U.S. baby food products could be classified as ultra-processed foods (UPFs), raising concerns about what many infants and toddlers are eating during a critical window of development.

The findings were published in the journal Nutrients on February 10, indicating that most baby food products contained one or more additives, including flavor enhancers, thickeners, emulsifiers and colors.

Ultra-processed foods include a wide range of packaged snacks, beverages and convenience meals that rely heavily on added sugars, unhealthy fats, salt and other additives to boost flavor, extend shelf life or improve texture, while offering minimal nutritional benefit. 

With consumption of these products climbing in recent decades, especially among children under age 3, researchers have warned that diets high in ultra-processed foods may significantly increase the risk of metabolic disorders such as prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes, as well as certain cancers. A growing body of research has specifically cautioned that exposure during childhood may carry heightened and longer lasting health risks.

As a result of these concerns, attorneys nationwide are investigating potential processed foods lawsuits against major food manufacturers, alleging the companies deliberately engineered products with highly palatable combinations of sugar, fat and salt designed to stimulate addictive eating behaviors and secure brand loyalty among young consumers.

In the new study, researchers analyzed 651 infant and toddler food products sold by the 10 largest U.S. grocery stores in 2023. They identified ultra-processed foods using the widely accepted NOVA classification system and calculated both the number of ultra-processed ingredients per product and the proportion of items that met the classification.

Led by Elizabeth Dunford, the team found:

• 71% of products were classified as ultra-processed foods, with additives identified as the most common ingredient type
• 36% contained flavor enhancers
• 29% contained thickeners
• 19% contained emulsifiers
• 19% contained added colors

Ultra-processed baby food options contained higher sodium and nearly twice as much sugar as non-ultra-processed products, with added sugars found exclusively in UPFs. The largest difference was seen in snack and finger foods, where ultra-processed items had two and a half times more sugar per serving when compared to non-ultra-processed options.

“Given the central importance of early nutrition for lifelong health, and the growing evidence linking UPFs with adverse health outcomes, efforts to reduce the availability of UPFs and increase transparency in complementary food product formulations should be considered a public health priority.”

— Elizabeth K. Dunford, Tiny Tummies, Big Questions: Unpacking Ultra-Processed Ingredients and Additives in Complementary Foods in the United States

Researchers warned that better labeling and stricter regulation of UPF ingredients and additives are needed to make healthy products more readily available to the youngest consumers.

Ultra-Processed Foods Lawsuits

As scientific evidence tying ultra-processed foods to serious health risks continues to mount, individuals across the U.S. are now filing ultra-processed foods lawsuits against major food and beverage manufacturers, alleging that these companies knowingly put public health at risk by producing and promoting products associated with long-term health problems.

According to these lawsuits, food companies followed a playbook similar to the tobacco industry, prioritizing profits over consumer safety, downplaying or failing to disclose health risks and aggressively marketing their products to children and teens. Plaintiffs allege that UPFs were deliberately formulated with high levels of sugar, salt and unhealthy fats to increase cravings, encourage repeated consumption and foster dependency despite known health concerns.

The complaints also allege that manufacturers used misleading marketing strategies that disproportionately targeted children, including cartoon characters, branded toys and media tie-ins intended to attract young consumers and foster lifelong eating habits.

Ultra-processed food attorneys are reviewing potential lawsuits for individuals or families who began consuming these products at a young age and were diagnosed with childhood Type 2 diabetes or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

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