How do we know how safe those snacks we are giving our baby and toddler really are? We rely on these as a mum on the days when the never-ending to-do lists might get on top of us; they are quick and convenient and - we hope - give our little ones a small dose of something good in a snack. But, being honest, we likely have no real idea of exactly what's in them, save for what's on the label.
Can we really be sure these popular snacks are safe to give our kids?
This is what TV personality and food investigator, mum of two, Cherry Healey set about finding out. Partnering with baby food brand Organix to launch a nationwide junk busting campaign, she wanted to investigate what’s hiding in some of the baby finger foods and toddler snacks marketed for little ones, that parents may not be aware of.
Among the things she discovered are:
- 76% of parents were shocked to discover that some baby and toddler snacks contain up to 30 separate ingredients.
- 85% of parents were shocked to find some baby finger foods and toddler snacks contain almost the same level of salt as a regular bag of adult crisps. 82% shocked that extra salt is added to some baby and toddler snacks to boost the flavour.
- 88% were shocked that some of the foods sold in the baby aisle are not protected by regulations.
As a mum, I feel passionately about the quality of children’s food. There are some great snack foods on supermarket shelves but there’s also some misleading labelling, and I’ve found unnecessary ingredients hiding in baby and toddler snacks, like added flavourings and salt. It’s time we did something about it. Join me in campaigning for #FoodYouCanTrust.”
