Toddler foods in US contain high amounts of sodium and added sugars, says study

Many packaged meals and snacks for toddlers in the US often contain high amounts of sodium or added sugars, according to a new study by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The study published in the journal Pediatrics argues that about seven in ten toddler food products examined contains more amounts of salt and sugar, which may contribute to obesity and other health risks, The Washington Post reported.

Almost one in four US children between the ages of two and five are overweight or obese and almost 80% of children from one to three years consume more salt daily than the recommended level.

Researchers used samples available in 2012 that included packaged macaroni and cheese, mini hot dogs, rice cakes, crackers, dried-fruit snacks and yogurt treats. The study found that more than 600 vegetables, dinners, dry cereals and ready to serve grains and fruit geared to infants under age one were low sodium, and none were high sodium.

CDC lead researcher Mary E Cogswell was quoted by Reuters as saying: "It was surprising that more than seven of ten packaged toddler meals contained too much sodium.

"A substantial proportion of toddler foods and infant and toddler snacks, even those we don’t think of as sweet, like toddler meals and salty snacks, contained at least one added sugar."

The study stated that 61% of dairy-based desserts contained at least one added sugar and 35% of calories from sugar. Mostly, the added sugars were concentrated in fruit juice concentrate, sugar, cane, syrup and malt, the news agency reported.

However, Cogswell also said that food products for younger babies mostly contain low sodium and no added sugars.

Meanwhile, Grocery Manufacturers Association said that the study does not accurately reflect the wide range of healthy choices available in today’s marketplace since it is based on 2012 data.

According to them, the current study does not provide information about the new products with reduced sodium levels.

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Image: The CDC study reveals that packaged toddler foods in US often contain high amounts of sodium and added sugars. Photo: courtesy of tiverylucky/ freedigitalphotos.net.