Study Finds 70% of Baby Food Is Ultra-Processed

What Parents Should Know

A recent report from CNN highlights new research raising concerns about the state of baby food in the United States. The study found that a significant percentage of baby and toddler foods sold in grocery stores are classified as ultra-processed — often containing additives, stabilizers, and unnecessary ingredients that go far beyond simple fruits, vegetables, and proteins.

For parents trying to give their babies the healthiest possible start, the findings are eye-opening.

If you’re wondering what this means for your child — and what healthier options look like — here’s what the research found and how fresh, additive-free meals offer a better solution.

New Research on Additives and Ultra-Processed Baby Food

Quick Summary: What the Study Found

Researchers analyzed 651 baby and toddler food items sold across the top 10 U.S. grocery chains and found that a majority were classified as ultra-processed foods — meaning they go far beyond simple fruits, vegetables, and proteins and instead feature additives, flavor enhancers, emulsifiers, thickeners, and even synthetic dyes.

Here’s what stood out:

• 71% of products examined were ultra-processed — not simple, real foods.

• These foods often contained added sugar and sodium, far more than minimally processed alternatives.

• Researchers identified more than 105 unique additives in these products.

• Emerging research has linked these additives and UPFs to inflammation and disruptions in the gut microbiome.

• Early exposure to processed sugars, oils, and additives may shape a child’s taste preferences, potentially favoring sweet or salty flavors and making it harder to enjoy wholesome foods later in life.

The study and experts behind it emphasized that despite reassuring labels like “organic,” “no added sugar,” or “natural,” many of these foods can still be highly processed and include long ingredient lists that most families wouldn’t recognize.

How Ultra-Processed Baby Food is Defined

According to the coverage by CNN, researchers analyzed hundreds of baby and toddler food products sold in major U.S. retailers. The majority were categorized as ultra-processed foods (or UPFs) — meaning they contain industrial ingredients not typically used in home cooking.

These often include:

• Emulsifiers
  
• Thickeners
  
• Flavor enhancers
  
• Refined oils
  
• Added sugars
  
• Added sodium
  

Even products labeled “organic” or “natural” were sometimes highly processed.

Ultra-processing matters because infancy is a critical developmental window. Babies are forming taste preferences, metabolic patterns, and long-term eating habits.

If you’re comparing options, it helps to understand how fresh baby meals are made differently from shelf-stable jars and pouches.

Why Additives, Added Sugar, and Sodium Matter for Infants

The study emphasized that early exposure to added sugar and salt may influence taste development. When babies become accustomed to sweet or salty flavors early, it can make whole foods like vegetables less appealing later.

Health experts generally recommend avoiding added sugar for infants under two. Yet many baby foods — even those marketed as healthy — contain concentrated fruit purées, fruit juices, or hidden sweeteners.

Parents looking to reduce risk often search for:

• No added sugar baby food
  
• Low sodium baby meals
  
• Baby food without preservatives
  
• Clean ingredient baby food
  

Understanding why babies should avoid added sugar during early development can help families make informed decisions.

That's why we're proud of our Nutrition Promises, including no added sugar, salt, additives, or preservatives.  Square Baby was born to offer parents a truly clean baby food option --  just like homemade, without hours in the kitchen.

How Ultra-Processed Baby Food Shapes Taste Preferences

Ultra-processed products are engineered for shelf stability and flavor consistency. While convenient, they often prioritize texture uniformity and sweetness over nutrient diversity.

In contrast, exposure to a wide range of vegetables, proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats supports:

• Broader palate development
  
• Better acceptance of savory foods
  
• More balanced nutrient intake
  
• Healthier long-term eating patterns
  

When evaluating brands, parents should look for full ingredient transparency and simple food combinations made from whole foods.

If the ingredient list reads like a chemistry experiment, it may not align with whole-food feeding principles.

What to Look for on Baby Food Labels

When choosing baby food, consider these questions:

1. Are there added sugars listed (including fruit juice or concentrates)?
   
2. Is sodium added?
   
3. Are there stabilizers or gums?
   
4. Does the food contain real vegetables and proteins — or mostly fruit purée?
   
5. Is it minimally processed or shelf-stable for years?
   

Fresh, frozen meals often preserve nutrients without requiring artificial preservatives.

Parents comparing options can browse fresh, dietitian-designed baby meals to see how ingredient lists differ from traditional packaged products.

The Benefits of Fresh, Additive-Free Baby Meals

One alternative gaining popularity among health-conscious families is Square Baby.

Unlike many grocery store options, Square Baby meals are:

• Made with whole, organic ingredients
  
• Free from additives and preservatives
  
• Contain no added sugar
  
• Contain no added salt
  
• Balanced with vegetables, proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats
  

At Square Baby, we strive to offer you the freshest, healthiest, and safest meals -- instead of overly-processing and cooking foods at high temperatures for a long period of time (like many jarred and pouched baby food).

We utilize HPP, or High Pressure Pasteurization. HPP uses pressure instead of heat to kill harmful bacteria. We believe this process better preserves the nutrient-density, freshness, flavor, color, and texture of the foods, which are all vital to the growth and development of your little one!  

And to avoid preservatives or over-heating, we also added a squeeze of lemon to most meals to achieve the required pH. Because our meals are veggie-first and have much less fruit than most other brands, we opted to use organic lemon to reduce pH instead of applesauce. Rest assured, even with the squeeze of lemon, our meals are less acidic (have a higher pH) than applesauce.

A Better Way to Feed Your Baby: Real Ingredients, Real Nutrition

The research spotlighted by CNN reinforces an important truth: not all baby food is nutritionally equal. Marketing terms can be misleading, and ultra-processing is more common than many parents realize.

Choosing minimally processed, additive-free meals supports:

• Cleaner ingredient exposure
  
• Balanced nutrition
  
• Healthier taste development
  
• Greater long-term eating success
  

For families seeking a fresh alternative to processed baby food, you can start your baby’s fresh meal plan today and focus on real ingredients without compromise.

Frequently Asked Questions About Baby Food Additives

Is store-bought baby food unhealthy?

Not all store-bought baby food is unhealthy, but many options are ultra-processed. Reading ingredient labels carefully is essential. And while some processed foods are ok on occaision, baby's overall diet should consist mostly of minimally-processed foods with no additives and preservatives.

What are ultra-processed baby foods?

Ultra-processed foods contain industrial ingredients such as emulsifiers, additives, flavor enhancers, and added sugars beyond basic cooking ingredients.

Why should babies avoid added sugar and salt?

Early exposure may shape long-term taste preferences and dietary habits.

What’s a healthier alternative?

Fresh, minimally processed meals made from whole ingredients without additives, preservatives, added sugar, or salt -- like homemade baby food or Square Baby fresh/frozen meals.

Final Takeaway

The latest research highlights the importance of examining what’s really inside baby food products. While convenience matters, ingredient quality matters more during early development.

By prioritizing whole foods and transparency, parents can feel confident they’re building a strong nutritional foundation from the very first bite.

~Katie Thomson MS, RD: Cofounder & CEO, Square Baby

This blog post is for information purposes only and shouldn’t be used as personal, health, nutritional, or medical advice. Always consult with your pediatrician before making any decisions about your child's health or readiness for various foods.