A research group led by Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Minami Sugimoto and Professor Satoshi Sasaki at the University of Tokyo has elucidated, for the first time in Japan, the nutritional characteristics of commercially available weaning supplements (baby food) in Japan.In addition, we revealed for the first time in the world the relationship between price, an important factor in food selection, and nutritional characteristics.
In Japan, the production of baby food is increasing year by year despite the declining birthrate, and the role of baby food in the diet of infants is expanding.Concerns have been raised about the salt and sugar content of baby food in other countries, but there are no reports on Japanese products.Furthermore, the relationship between the nutritional characteristics of baby food and price has not been clarified in foreign studies.
In this study, we comprehensively collected commercially available baby foods, and based on the information on their packages/product websites, we analyzed the product types (dry foods such as retort pouches, wet foods that are reconstituted by adding water or hot water, Confectionery, beverages) were compared for nutritional characteristics between high and low price ranges.
As a result, among wet-type products, the products in the high price range had more protein and less salt, but the types of ingredients used were more diverse in the products in the low price range.On the other hand, there was no noticeable difference between the high and low price ranges for dry products, confectionery and beverages.
The results of this research are expected to promote the development and appropriate use of baby food that contributes to the health of infants.For example, when giving baby food, it doesn't seem necessary to force yourself to buy expensive baby food or avoid using baby food. It is recommended to give it in combination with food and ingredients.
Paper information:[British Journal of Nutrition] The nutritional profile of commercial complementary foods in Japan: comparison between low and high price products
