A study by researchers at Glasgow University has found that spouted pouch baby foods are too high in sugar and too low in protein and energy to be suitable for babies under 12 months, likening them to fruit smoothies rather than proper complementary food. The findings matter because such pouches are heavily marketed at very young infants, despite NHS advice that babies under a year do not need fruit juice or smoothies, meaning parents may unwittingly be feeding their children products with poor nutritional value.

The team examined 298 wet commercial baby food products sold across six major supermarkets, comparing their sugar, protein and energy content against breast milk. Pouches made up 60% of the products studied, and 70% of these were aimed at babies under six months, even though official guidance recommends weaning only begins at around six months. Only 14 products, or 8.5%, met all the desired health criteria. Study co-author Dr Vicky Sibson said parents were being misled into thinking such pouches are healthy, and called for mandatory regulation, noting the government has only set a voluntary compliance deadline of February 2027 for baby food manufacturers.