Is baby food too salty?

STILL a bit on the salty side, according to the very first study to analyse sodium content in baby and toddler foods, including pre-packaged foods, snacks and meals, in the United States. The research compares the sodium content per serving of 1,115 products for babies and toddlers using data on major and private label brands compiled by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Baby food was categorised as intended for children less than one year old, and toddler food as intended for children between the ages of one and three.

When a product has more than 210 mg of sodium per serving, it is considered high in sodium. Toddler meals had significantly higher amounts of sodium than baby meals, and the amount of sodium in some of the toddler meals was at 630 mg per serving – about 40% of the 1,500 mg daily limit recommended by the American Heart Association. Savoury snacks and meals for toddlers were especially higher in sodium content.

“Our concern is the possible long-term health risks of introducing high levels of sodium in a child’s diet, because high blood pressure, as well as a preference for salty foods may develop early in life. The less sodium in an infant’s or toddler’s diet, the less he or she may want it when older,” explained Joyce Maalouf, M.S., M.P.H., ORISE, lead author and Fellow at the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. “Parents and other caregivers can read the nutrition facts labels on baby and toddler foods, to choose the healthiest options for their child,” Ms Maalouf said.

The research was  presented at  the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention/Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism 2013 Scientific Sessions. The American Heart Association recommends limiting sodium consumption to less than 1500 mg a day.