A new analysis of nearly 2,800 grocery store products marketed to toddlers has found that the vast majority fall short of basic nutrition standards, raising fresh concerns about what young children are eating during a critical stage of brain development.
The research, presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, found that roughly 80% of toddler foods sold in the United States are ultraprocessed. Nearly half failed to meet at least one nutritional benchmark set by the World Health Organization for children between 6 and 36 months old.
Sugar, sodium and fat show up in unexpected places
According to WHO guidelines, foods marketed to young children should contain no added sugar, artificial sweeteners or concentrated fruit juice, along with limited saturated fat and sodium. The study found that products failing to meet the sugar standard were four times more likely to be classified as ultraprocessed. Nearly a quarter of the products analyzed contained more sodium than recommended, and some, including items labeled organic, were high in fat and calories.
Researchers pointed to several everyday examples. Fruit pouches and oat bars tended to run high in sugar. Ready to eat macaroni and cheese bowls and turkey sausages often contained excess sodium and fat. Peanut butter puffs, meanwhile, scored high across sodium, fat and calorie counts.
Researchers say the bigger issue is what these foods replace
Beyond individual nutrition numbers, researchers and child health advocates said the larger concern is displacement. A toddler who regularly eats sweetened yogurt, crackers and packaged snack bars is less likely to be eating whole grains, vegetables, beans and other nutrient dense foods that support healthy growth.
The first 1,000 days of life are considered especially important for brain development and long term health, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Early childhood is also when taste preferences begin to form, meaning a diet heavy in processed sugar and artificial flavoring early on may shape food choices for years afterward.
How the researchers conducted the study
To gather data, the research team photographed toddler marketed foods at 21 grocery stores in Austin, Texas, excluding infant formula, drinks and purees. They then analyzed nutrition labels across the nearly 2,800 products for sugar, sodium, saturated and unsaturated fat, calories and additives, sorting each item using the NOVA classification system.
That system separates foods into four categories, ranging from unprocessed items like fruit, vegetables and eggs to ultraprocessed foods containing additives not typically found in nature. Those additives can include preservatives, emulsifiers, artificial coloring and flavor enhancers, along with added sugars, salts and fats engineered to increase palatability.
The findings echo a separate study published earlier this year, which found that more than 70% of 651 baby and toddler food products contained additives linked in emerging research to inflammation and gut microbiome disruption.
Industry pushes back on the term ultraprocessed
A trade group representing food manufacturers said in a statement that household brands offer parents a range of safe, affordable options to fit different dietary needs and budgets. The group also noted there is no universally accepted scientific definition of ultraprocessed food, and cautioned against drawing conclusions without rigorous, peer reviewed data.
The Food and Drug Administration proposed a rule in 2025 that would require front of package labeling rating foods as low, medium or high in added sugar, sodium and saturated fat. Foods marketed to children under 4, however, would currently be exempt.
What parents can do in the meantime
Until broader labeling rules take effect, nutrition experts say the responsibility largely falls on parents to evaluate products themselves. That means checking labels for added sugars and saturated fats, and scanning ingredient lists for fruit juice concentrate, which functions largely as a sugar additive despite its natural sounding name.
Experts also recommend preparing meals at home when possible, offering whole or diced fruit instead of pouches, and pairing produce with protein or healthy fats for balanced snacks. Once a toddler can chew, they can generally eat modified versions of whatever healthy foods the rest of the family is already eating.
