Some snacks aimed at children and marketed as healthy are as bad as sweets, experts have warned.
In a new report, Public Health England (PHE) said a government crackdown was needed to tackle misleading claims – and to cut the amount of sugar children consume from shop-bought foods.
It said snacks deemed “healthy” by manufacturers can be far too high in sugar and salt. This is leading to confusion among parents over what to buy – with many believing misleading health claims.
In the report, PHE experts pointed to examples where foods were very sweet (from fruit sugar) but were marketed as being healthy. Some said they were “packed with seven key vitamins and minerals including iron and calcium” but had 29g of sugar per 100g.
Another marketed as “one of five a day” and “packed with real fruit” had 67.7g of sugar. In its report, PHE said some of the highest sugar levels are seen in fruit and vegetable-based products (47.5g), and sweet finger foods (17g per 100g).
Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at PHE, said snacking among babies and children has grown in popularity in recent years. “We accept that children snack and they probably need to snack but we absolutely think there should be limits on that,” she told PA. ”[Some snacks] are basically sweets but they are marketed as being 100% pure and it’s confusing parents.”
Declan O’Brien, director general of the British Specialist Nutrition Association – which represents brands including Danone Nutricia, Ella’s Kitchen, HiPP Organic, Kiddylicious, Nestle Nutrition and Organix – said its members “wholeheartedly support” measures to improve infant health.
They have been working with Public Health England to reformulate the content of products, he said, “recognising that they provide a convenient and valuable option for parents in feeding their children as part of a balanced diet for infants.”
If you’re struggling to find healthy snacks for your kids, the NHS Change4Life campaign has loads of suggestions, including: