Best places to buy baby food
Jars, Pouches, Organic, and More
Share on PinterestWe include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.
After months of breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, it can be surprising to realize that your still-tiny baby is actually ready for “real” food. This exciting (albeit messy!) transition may be a little bittersweet and can feel overwhelming, especially considering the numerous baby food options available in 2022.
We’ve rounded up some of this year’s best baby foods to help you get started on the right foot — er, spoon.
Both the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend exclusively breastfeeding babies for the first 6 months of life. Formula-fed infants are ready to start solid foods when they start showing signs that they’re ready.
In some cases, you may start solids around 4 or 5 months, but it’s best to discuss this with your pediatrician. If your doctor doesn’t have a different recommendation, most babies are ready to start soft or pureed foods by the time they’re about 6 months old.
If you’re picking commercially prepared baby food (versus making your own), it’s wise to start with simple, one-ingredient baby food. Most commercial baby food is labeled stage 1, 2, or 3 based on the texture and number of ingredients.
For instance, stage 1 baby food has the smoothest texture and typically has one ingredient, such as pureed pears. So, for your 4- to 6-month-old, you’ll want to start with stage 1 baby food.
Starting with one food at a time helps you monitor for any adverse reactions or food allergies. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology recommends monitoring each food for 3 to 5 days.
There isn’t really a perfect first food — the choice is yours! Some good foods to start: infant cereal (preferably oat or whole grain), meat purees such as chicken or turkey, or single-ingredient purees of fruits or veggies.
If you’re debating whether to start with fruits or veggies first, the AAP suggests that an infant’s preferences for sweets won’t budge even if veggies are introduced first. Mashed peas just don’t taste as good once you’ve had applesauce.
We chatted with pediatricians, read the research, polled real-life parents, read reviews, and used our own babies as taste testers (although we can’t say their opinions on nutritional value are very authoritative) to bring you some of the top baby food brands available. In addition:
- We looked for foods that are certified USDA organic and have non-GMO verified ingredients.
- We focused on baby food that’s free of added sugar (but have called out one or two products that contain it).
- The baby foods on our list are free of harmful preservatives.
- We called out the brands that market their products as gluten-free and allergen-free.
All products are also vetted by our medical standards team, which evaluates brand integrity and product safety.
Reducing Exposure to Toxic Elements in Baby Foods
Three brands in this article — Gerber, Beech-Nut, and Happy Baby — were mentioned in a February 2021 Congressional Report for products containing significantly high levels of toxic heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury. The FDA has since launched the Closer to Zero: Action Plan for Baby Foods to address exposure to toxic elements from eating baby foods.
- Best overall baby food: Beech-Nut Naturals Stage 1
- Best organic baby food pouches: Plum Organics Stage 1
- Best budget-friendly baby food: Gerber Organic 1st Foods
- Best baby food for constipation: Gerber Natural 1st Foods (Pear)
- Best organic jarred baby food: Happy Baby Organics Clearly Crafted Stage 1
- Best personalized subscription service: Cerebelly
- Best fresh baby food: Once Upon a Farm Cold-Pressed Organic Baby Food
- Best first baby cereal: Gerber Organic 1st Foods Single Grain Cereal
- Best, most interesting baby food blends: Little Spoon Complex Solids
- Best all-around clean baby food: Baby Gourmet
Best overall baby food
Beech-Nut Naturals Stage 1
This affordable baby food is an all-around fan favorite.
Beech-Nut baby foods come in recyclable glass jars and are available in both natural and organic varieties. Blends are available in every stage, from single-ingredient foods for brand-new eaters (like butternut squash and plum) to multi-food blends with chunkier textures for older babies.
The ingredients in Beech-Nut baby foods are simple, with no artificial additives. Plus, these little glass jars are available at most grocery stores, so they’re easy to find. However, while it’s great for recycling purposes, glass can be dangerous — always supervise your little one around glass.
Beech-Nut Naturals are free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) but not certified organic (unless you shop their organics line). They contain no added sugar.
Shop now at Walmart
Best organic baby food pouches
Plum Organics Stage 1
If sustainability, organic foods, and non-GMO ingredients are important to you, Plum Organics has a great line of baby food options to try.
Their BPA-free pouches are super convenient and available in a variety of fruits, veggies, and grains for each stage of eating. These foods have no added salts or sugars, so they’re nutritious and simple for baby’s maturing digestive system. They’re also widely available and can be purchased in bulk for greater savings.
And while feeding experts definitely discourage using pouches exclusively, there’s no denying that pouches are very convenient for occasional on-the-go feedings. To make sure your baby is still progressing in their journey through solid foods, try squeezing the pouch contents into a spoon. And be sure to watch out for the small plastic caps, as they’re a choking hazard.
Plum Organics is certified organic and non-GMO, and their baby food doesn’t contain added sugar.
Shop now at Amazon
Best budget-friendly baby food
Gerber Organic 1st Foods
Gerber is the classic baby food brand, and they’ve made changes over the last few years to make their food more health-conscious (e.
g., starting an organic line). Yet they have maintained their status as one of the most affordable prepared baby food brands on the market.
They offer benefits like glass jars, organic ingredients, and a wide variety of food choices at a lower cost than some other brands on our list.
Gerber Organic is USDA organic, non-GMO, and free of added sugar.
Shop now at Walmart
Best baby food for constipation
Gerber Natural 1st Foods (Pear)
Sometimes babies get a little constipated when they’re beginning their solid food journey, especially if they’re eating a lot of dairy or iron-fortified cereal. In addition to continuing breast milk, some foods may help relieve your little one’s digestive discomfort, including all the “P” fruits.
So prunes, pears, plums, and peaches are some options to help keep tiny bowels on the move. You can find great fruit purees in any brand on our list, but one of the more cost-effective is the Gerber brand. The good news is that many babies love fruit, so it shouldn’t be too hard to get your little one to down some prunes or pears.
This product is made with non-GMO ingredients and pears grown with Clean Field Farming practices. It doesn’t contain added sugars.
Shop now at Walmart
Best organic jarred baby food
Happy Baby Organics Clearly Crafted Stage 1
Another great organic baby food option, the Happy Baby company offers their organic baby food jars at most stores — although not quite as widely as Beech-Nut and Plum Organics.
Happy Baby jars offer a wide variety of foods, from kale and mango to spinach and peaches and chia seeds. You can start with their single-ingredient jars (this is important for ruling out allergies, as well as to help baby learn to like spinach even when it’s not disguised by pears). Then, you can move on to their fruit and veggie blends as your little one grows.
High quality ingredients, creative flavors, and no artificial ingredients all make Happy Baby a solid (no pun intended) choice.
Happy Baby is USDA organic and doesn’t contain added sugars.
Shop now at Walmart
Best personalized subscription service
Cerebelly
Cerebelly allows you to personalize your subscription of baby food pouches based on your child’s age, leaning on science to determine what foods will benefit them at their stage of development.
You’ll take a quiz that asks about the current development and language cues your baby is showing (responding to their name, grasping toys, using noises to show emotion, etc.). It also asks about motor, social, and visual skills.
The results will clue you in on key nutrients that may benefit your little one and customize your baby food pouches based on this.
To boot, the brand has earned the Clean Label Project Purity Award (which evaluates products for toxins and contaminants), is certified USDA organic, and contains no added sugars.
Shop now at Cerebelly
Best fresh baby food
Once Upon a Farm Cold-Pressed Organic Baby Food
These organic, cold-pressed baby food pouches and cups are found in the refrigerated section at your grocery store (and yes, they have to be refrigerated at home).
The company also has a subscription delivery option to make baby food even more convenient for your busy schedule.
Creative names like Wild Rumpus Avocado and Magic Velvet Mango will have you smiling, and the variety of flavors will (hopefully!) appeal to your little one. Once Upon a Farm offers a variety of food stages, so you can start with their purees and move on up to their finger and toddler foods as your baby grows.
Once Upon a Farm is certified organic and non-GMO. Their products contain no added sugars and are Clean Label Project certified.
Shop now at Target
Best first baby cereal
Gerber Organic 1st Foods Single Grain Cereal
This simple cereal is a great first food for baby. You can mix this one-ingredient whole grain cereal with breast milk, formula, or water to provide your little one with some crucial nutrients (such as iron) and experience with spoons and textures.
The AAP recommends oatmeal or multigrain cereals over rice cereals, as they have a lower risk of exposure to chemicals such as arsenic (which is sometimes a concern with rice products).
As your baby gets used to other foods, you can also mix this cereal with fruit or yogurt to provide a heartier meal.
Gerber Organic is certified USDA organic and non-GMO, but this product does contain some added sugars.
Shop now at Walmart
Best, most interesting baby food blends
Little Spoon Complex Solids
Once your baby is ready for more advanced blends, Little Spoon has a unique line of complex blends that contain multiple purees as well as other seeds and grains for texture.
For example, one blend contains quinoa, butternut squash, and apple. Another contains kale, white bean, pear, basil, quinoa, and avocado oil.
Little Spoon purees use certified organic and non-GMO ingredients. They’re free of added sugar.
Shop now at Little Spoon
Best all-around clean baby food
Baby Gourmet
Baby Gourmet is another Clean Label Project Purity Award winner, which means they go above and beyond to ensure their baby food is free of harmful toxins that naturally occur in the environment.
This Canadian company is also set to donate 1 million meals to vulnerable populations by 2025. It’s founded and run by moms, which can be reassuring.
Baby Gourmet is certified organic and non-GMO by both U.S. and Canadian standards. All packaging is BPA-free. Products contain no added sugar.
Shop now at Baby Gourmet
As a general guideline, it’s a good idea to start with iron-fortified baby cereals or pureed meats if your infant is breastfed. Breastfed babies are more likely to need extra iron than formula-fed babies.
It’s also advisable to start with simple, single-ingredient purees of meat, vegetables, and fruits.
Choosing brands that are certified organic, use BPA-free materials, and are conscious of using whole food ingredients (e.g., they don’t add “extras” like salt, sugar, or corn syrup) helps ensure a healthy start for your little one.
According to the AAP, you shouldn’t give babies under age 1 cow’s milk, honey, unpasteurized dairy, or undercooked meat, as these can be an infection risk for a baby’s developing immune system.
You’ll also want to avoid foods that are hard or sharp or present a choking risk (for instance, chips, nuts, popcorn, raisins, raw apples, raw carrots, whole grapes, hot dogs). For a more comprehensive guide to which foods to give and what to avoid, check out our article on infant nutrition and starting solids.
While experts used to advise waiting to introduce highly allergenic foods (such as dairy, wheat, nuts, and eggs) until after the first year, the experts now say that delayed introduction of these foods may increase a child’s risk of food allergies. So, with the guidance of your pediatrician, go ahead and introduce those foods within the first year.
Seek immediate emergency medical attention if you notice swelling of the tongue and mouth, wheezing, or trouble breathing after your child eats certain foods
Some babies are raring to go when it comes to trying food, while others may take a little more convincing. Either way, definitely get your camera on video mode, as there are bound to be some hilarious faces and some impressive food spillage along the way.
Here are some pro tips to help make the process as smooth as possible:
- Wait until your baby shows signs of readiness for solid food.
- Keep trying. It can take 5 to 10 exposures for a baby to accept a new food.
- Make it fun and silly.
- Cook and eat as a family as much as possible.
- Let your baby play with the spoon and even the food! While incredibly messy, this helps them get comfortable with the textures, smells, and tastes of new foods.
- Talk with your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns. They’re a great resource and want to help you grow a happy, healthy baby.
What’s the best baby food for growth and weight gain?
If your baby is under 6 months and breastfeeding, it’s recommended that you stick to that exclusively for 6 months. When you’re ready to introduce solids after 6 months, it should be in addition to breastfeeding and formula, not as a replacement.
If your baby is formula-fed, they may begin eating solids sooner than 6 months.
While no one specific food is recommended, a variety of foods and colors is best, including meats, vegetables, and fruits. One of the key foods that can help with growth and weight gain is avocados (high in healthy fats and fiber but low in sugar).
Always discuss your baby’s dietary changes with your pediatrician and attend regular checkups to monitor growth.
What’s the easiest food for babies to digest?
Just like adults, babies do best with regular bowel movements. If they’re having a hard time with this, oatmeal is one food known to be easy to digest and promote regularity, as it contains higher amounts of dietary fiber.
It may also help to focus on quantity. Try feeding your baby smaller meals more often, rather than fewer larger meals. This may be easier on their system and allow them to digest foods more easily.
What’s the best baby food to start with?
Mashed banana and avocado are some of the most popular solids to start with. Soft, ground oatmeal is also great.
When it comes to fruit and vegetable purees, focus on variety, but don’t overdo it with those that are naturally high in sugar (such as berry purees).
Most importantly, at 6 months old, all foods should still be pureed and cooked. Once your baby is 9 months old and older, you can start to introduce vegetables cut into pieces. The only other no-no is honey, which they shouldn’t have until they’re over a year old.
It can feel like a lot of pressure to choose the best nutrition for your child, especially when trying to capitalize on the years before they start demanding chicken nuggets and ice cream. But there are a lot of great, healthy options available in 2022.
Whether you choose to make your own baby food, buy jars or pouches, or use a baby food subscription service, there are a number of resources to help you feed your baby.
Jars, Pouches, Organic, and More
Share on PinterestWe include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission.
Here’s our process.
After months of breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, it can be surprising to realize that your still-tiny baby is actually ready for “real” food. This exciting (albeit messy!) transition may be a little bittersweet and can feel overwhelming, especially considering the numerous baby food options available in 2022.
We’ve rounded up some of this year’s best baby foods to help you get started on the right foot — er, spoon.
Both the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend exclusively breastfeeding babies for the first 6 months of life. Formula-fed infants are ready to start solid foods when they start showing signs that they’re ready.
In some cases, you may start solids around 4 or 5 months, but it’s best to discuss this with your pediatrician. If your doctor doesn’t have a different recommendation, most babies are ready to start soft or pureed foods by the time they’re about 6 months old.
If you’re picking commercially prepared baby food (versus making your own), it’s wise to start with simple, one-ingredient baby food.
Most commercial baby food is labeled stage 1, 2, or 3 based on the texture and number of ingredients.
For instance, stage 1 baby food has the smoothest texture and typically has one ingredient, such as pureed pears. So, for your 4- to 6-month-old, you’ll want to start with stage 1 baby food.
Starting with one food at a time helps you monitor for any adverse reactions or food allergies. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology recommends monitoring each food for 3 to 5 days.
There isn’t really a perfect first food — the choice is yours! Some good foods to start: infant cereal (preferably oat or whole grain), meat purees such as chicken or turkey, or single-ingredient purees of fruits or veggies.
If you’re debating whether to start with fruits or veggies first, the AAP suggests that an infant’s preferences for sweets won’t budge even if veggies are introduced first. Mashed peas just don’t taste as good once you’ve had applesauce.
We chatted with pediatricians, read the research, polled real-life parents, read reviews, and used our own babies as taste testers (although we can’t say their opinions on nutritional value are very authoritative) to bring you some of the top baby food brands available.
In addition:
- We looked for foods that are certified USDA organic and have non-GMO verified ingredients.
- We focused on baby food that’s free of added sugar (but have called out one or two products that contain it).
- The baby foods on our list are free of harmful preservatives.
- We called out the brands that market their products as gluten-free and allergen-free.
All products are also vetted by our medical standards team, which evaluates brand integrity and product safety.
Reducing Exposure to Toxic Elements in Baby Foods
Three brands in this article — Gerber, Beech-Nut, and Happy Baby — were mentioned in a February 2021 Congressional Report for products containing significantly high levels of toxic heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury. The FDA has since launched the Closer to Zero: Action Plan for Baby Foods to address exposure to toxic elements from eating baby foods.
- Best overall baby food: Beech-Nut Naturals Stage 1
- Best organic baby food pouches: Plum Organics Stage 1
- Best budget-friendly baby food: Gerber Organic 1st Foods
- Best baby food for constipation: Gerber Natural 1st Foods (Pear)
- Best organic jarred baby food: Happy Baby Organics Clearly Crafted Stage 1
- Best personalized subscription service: Cerebelly
- Best fresh baby food: Once Upon a Farm Cold-Pressed Organic Baby Food
- Best first baby cereal: Gerber Organic 1st Foods Single Grain Cereal
- Best, most interesting baby food blends: Little Spoon Complex Solids
- Best all-around clean baby food: Baby Gourmet
Best overall baby food
Beech-Nut Naturals Stage 1
This affordable baby food is an all-around fan favorite.
Beech-Nut baby foods come in recyclable glass jars and are available in both natural and organic varieties. Blends are available in every stage, from single-ingredient foods for brand-new eaters (like butternut squash and plum) to multi-food blends with chunkier textures for older babies.
The ingredients in Beech-Nut baby foods are simple, with no artificial additives. Plus, these little glass jars are available at most grocery stores, so they’re easy to find. However, while it’s great for recycling purposes, glass can be dangerous — always supervise your little one around glass.
Beech-Nut Naturals are free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) but not certified organic (unless you shop their organics line). They contain no added sugar.
Shop now at Walmart
Best organic baby food pouches
Plum Organics Stage 1
If sustainability, organic foods, and non-GMO ingredients are important to you, Plum Organics has a great line of baby food options to try.
Their BPA-free pouches are super convenient and available in a variety of fruits, veggies, and grains for each stage of eating. These foods have no added salts or sugars, so they’re nutritious and simple for baby’s maturing digestive system. They’re also widely available and can be purchased in bulk for greater savings.
And while feeding experts definitely discourage using pouches exclusively, there’s no denying that pouches are very convenient for occasional on-the-go feedings. To make sure your baby is still progressing in their journey through solid foods, try squeezing the pouch contents into a spoon. And be sure to watch out for the small plastic caps, as they’re a choking hazard.
Plum Organics is certified organic and non-GMO, and their baby food doesn’t contain added sugar.
Shop now at Amazon
Best budget-friendly baby food
Gerber Organic 1st Foods
Gerber is the classic baby food brand, and they’ve made changes over the last few years to make their food more health-conscious (e.
g., starting an organic line). Yet they have maintained their status as one of the most affordable prepared baby food brands on the market.
They offer benefits like glass jars, organic ingredients, and a wide variety of food choices at a lower cost than some other brands on our list.
Gerber Organic is USDA organic, non-GMO, and free of added sugar.
Shop now at Walmart
Best baby food for constipation
Gerber Natural 1st Foods (Pear)
Sometimes babies get a little constipated when they’re beginning their solid food journey, especially if they’re eating a lot of dairy or iron-fortified cereal. In addition to continuing breast milk, some foods may help relieve your little one’s digestive discomfort, including all the “P” fruits.
So prunes, pears, plums, and peaches are some options to help keep tiny bowels on the move. You can find great fruit purees in any brand on our list, but one of the more cost-effective is the Gerber brand. The good news is that many babies love fruit, so it shouldn’t be too hard to get your little one to down some prunes or pears.
This product is made with non-GMO ingredients and pears grown with Clean Field Farming practices. It doesn’t contain added sugars.
Shop now at Walmart
Best organic jarred baby food
Happy Baby Organics Clearly Crafted Stage 1
Another great organic baby food option, the Happy Baby company offers their organic baby food jars at most stores — although not quite as widely as Beech-Nut and Plum Organics.
Happy Baby jars offer a wide variety of foods, from kale and mango to spinach and peaches and chia seeds. You can start with their single-ingredient jars (this is important for ruling out allergies, as well as to help baby learn to like spinach even when it’s not disguised by pears). Then, you can move on to their fruit and veggie blends as your little one grows.
High quality ingredients, creative flavors, and no artificial ingredients all make Happy Baby a solid (no pun intended) choice.
Happy Baby is USDA organic and doesn’t contain added sugars.
Shop now at Walmart
Best personalized subscription service
Cerebelly
Cerebelly allows you to personalize your subscription of baby food pouches based on your child’s age, leaning on science to determine what foods will benefit them at their stage of development.
You’ll take a quiz that asks about the current development and language cues your baby is showing (responding to their name, grasping toys, using noises to show emotion, etc.). It also asks about motor, social, and visual skills.
The results will clue you in on key nutrients that may benefit your little one and customize your baby food pouches based on this.
To boot, the brand has earned the Clean Label Project Purity Award (which evaluates products for toxins and contaminants), is certified USDA organic, and contains no added sugars.
Shop now at Cerebelly
Best fresh baby food
Once Upon a Farm Cold-Pressed Organic Baby Food
These organic, cold-pressed baby food pouches and cups are found in the refrigerated section at your grocery store (and yes, they have to be refrigerated at home).
The company also has a subscription delivery option to make baby food even more convenient for your busy schedule.
Creative names like Wild Rumpus Avocado and Magic Velvet Mango will have you smiling, and the variety of flavors will (hopefully!) appeal to your little one. Once Upon a Farm offers a variety of food stages, so you can start with their purees and move on up to their finger and toddler foods as your baby grows.
Once Upon a Farm is certified organic and non-GMO. Their products contain no added sugars and are Clean Label Project certified.
Shop now at Target
Best first baby cereal
Gerber Organic 1st Foods Single Grain Cereal
This simple cereal is a great first food for baby. You can mix this one-ingredient whole grain cereal with breast milk, formula, or water to provide your little one with some crucial nutrients (such as iron) and experience with spoons and textures.
The AAP recommends oatmeal or multigrain cereals over rice cereals, as they have a lower risk of exposure to chemicals such as arsenic (which is sometimes a concern with rice products).
As your baby gets used to other foods, you can also mix this cereal with fruit or yogurt to provide a heartier meal.
Gerber Organic is certified USDA organic and non-GMO, but this product does contain some added sugars.
Shop now at Walmart
Best, most interesting baby food blends
Little Spoon Complex Solids
Once your baby is ready for more advanced blends, Little Spoon has a unique line of complex blends that contain multiple purees as well as other seeds and grains for texture.
For example, one blend contains quinoa, butternut squash, and apple. Another contains kale, white bean, pear, basil, quinoa, and avocado oil.
Little Spoon purees use certified organic and non-GMO ingredients. They’re free of added sugar.
Shop now at Little Spoon
Best all-around clean baby food
Baby Gourmet
Baby Gourmet is another Clean Label Project Purity Award winner, which means they go above and beyond to ensure their baby food is free of harmful toxins that naturally occur in the environment.
This Canadian company is also set to donate 1 million meals to vulnerable populations by 2025. It’s founded and run by moms, which can be reassuring.
Baby Gourmet is certified organic and non-GMO by both U.S. and Canadian standards. All packaging is BPA-free. Products contain no added sugar.
Shop now at Baby Gourmet
As a general guideline, it’s a good idea to start with iron-fortified baby cereals or pureed meats if your infant is breastfed. Breastfed babies are more likely to need extra iron than formula-fed babies.
It’s also advisable to start with simple, single-ingredient purees of meat, vegetables, and fruits.
Choosing brands that are certified organic, use BPA-free materials, and are conscious of using whole food ingredients (e.g., they don’t add “extras” like salt, sugar, or corn syrup) helps ensure a healthy start for your little one.
According to the AAP, you shouldn’t give babies under age 1 cow’s milk, honey, unpasteurized dairy, or undercooked meat, as these can be an infection risk for a baby’s developing immune system.
You’ll also want to avoid foods that are hard or sharp or present a choking risk (for instance, chips, nuts, popcorn, raisins, raw apples, raw carrots, whole grapes, hot dogs). For a more comprehensive guide to which foods to give and what to avoid, check out our article on infant nutrition and starting solids.
While experts used to advise waiting to introduce highly allergenic foods (such as dairy, wheat, nuts, and eggs) until after the first year, the experts now say that delayed introduction of these foods may increase a child’s risk of food allergies. So, with the guidance of your pediatrician, go ahead and introduce those foods within the first year.
Seek immediate emergency medical attention if you notice swelling of the tongue and mouth, wheezing, or trouble breathing after your child eats certain foods
Some babies are raring to go when it comes to trying food, while others may take a little more convincing. Either way, definitely get your camera on video mode, as there are bound to be some hilarious faces and some impressive food spillage along the way.
Here are some pro tips to help make the process as smooth as possible:
- Wait until your baby shows signs of readiness for solid food.
- Keep trying. It can take 5 to 10 exposures for a baby to accept a new food.
- Make it fun and silly.
- Cook and eat as a family as much as possible.
- Let your baby play with the spoon and even the food! While incredibly messy, this helps them get comfortable with the textures, smells, and tastes of new foods.
- Talk with your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns. They’re a great resource and want to help you grow a happy, healthy baby.
What’s the best baby food for growth and weight gain?
If your baby is under 6 months and breastfeeding, it’s recommended that you stick to that exclusively for 6 months. When you’re ready to introduce solids after 6 months, it should be in addition to breastfeeding and formula, not as a replacement.
If your baby is formula-fed, they may begin eating solids sooner than 6 months.
While no one specific food is recommended, a variety of foods and colors is best, including meats, vegetables, and fruits. One of the key foods that can help with growth and weight gain is avocados (high in healthy fats and fiber but low in sugar).
Always discuss your baby’s dietary changes with your pediatrician and attend regular checkups to monitor growth.
What’s the easiest food for babies to digest?
Just like adults, babies do best with regular bowel movements. If they’re having a hard time with this, oatmeal is one food known to be easy to digest and promote regularity, as it contains higher amounts of dietary fiber.
It may also help to focus on quantity. Try feeding your baby smaller meals more often, rather than fewer larger meals. This may be easier on their system and allow them to digest foods more easily.
What’s the best baby food to start with?
Mashed banana and avocado are some of the most popular solids to start with. Soft, ground oatmeal is also great.
When it comes to fruit and vegetable purees, focus on variety, but don’t overdo it with those that are naturally high in sugar (such as berry purees).
Most importantly, at 6 months old, all foods should still be pureed and cooked. Once your baby is 9 months old and older, you can start to introduce vegetables cut into pieces. The only other no-no is honey, which they shouldn’t have until they’re over a year old.
It can feel like a lot of pressure to choose the best nutrition for your child, especially when trying to capitalize on the years before they start demanding chicken nuggets and ice cream. But there are a lot of great, healthy options available in 2022.
Whether you choose to make your own baby food, buy jars or pouches, or use a baby food subscription service, there are a number of resources to help you feed your baby.
The best baby food manufacturers as voted
What is the best baby food for a newborn? How to choose infant formula? This is not the whole list of questions that parents ask themselves when it comes time to transfer a child to artificial feeding or mixed nutrition.
We will try to answer some of these questions as objectively as possible, based on our own experience and real reviews of mothers.
Rating of the best manufacturers of baby food
We will not look at specific types of products such as formula milk or purees, but will try to identify the best manufacturers of baby food in general. The data was obtained from a survey among parents in one of the specialized groups of the social network.
Nutricia
Based on the experience of parents who choose baby food for newborns, the first place in the rating is taken by Nutricia (manufacturer - Holland). More than one thousand scientists monitor the quality control of this manufacturer; there are no artificial additives in the composition of the products. The product range includes five types of baby food for babies from birth to three years. These are adapted milk mixtures, cereals, vegetable and fruit purees, drinks.
Many votes were given to milk mixtures from the manufacturer Nutricia.
At the same time, parents write about improving digestion and normalizing stools in newborns. Vegetable purees from other manufacturers have an optimal consistency, and babies eat it with pleasure. Reviews of Nutricia children's tea with chamomile: « Excellent tea. Unsweetened, we drink with great pleasure ”, “ Baby drinks with pleasure ”. According to the price criterion, Nutricia products are very affordable for most buyers.
Nestle
In second place, according to the statistics of a survey of mothers, is baby food from Nestle (manufacturer - Switzerland) and their milk formulas NAN. Nutrition suitable for newborns, enriches the body with all the necessary vitamins and minerals.
Mom’s review of Nestle NAN Premium breast milk replacer: “ At first I used the mixture as complementary foods, but after infection and antibiotic treatment, the milk disappeared, and from the 20th day of life, my third baby eats only NAN, both older ones also grew by NAN, the first son - from the 3rd month, the middle daughter - from the 2nd.
Everyone is healthy, no one had problems with stools, now we go by the hour with the baby - 2 times a day ". We should not forget that the body of each baby is special and it is possible to determine which brand of baby food is best for the baby only by trial and error. In order not to purchase a fake and avoid unpleasant consequences, you need to be extremely careful and buy baby food exclusively in trusted stores.
Hipp
In third place among the parents who determine the best manufacturers of baby food is the German company Hipp. The brand produces a whole line of adapted baby food products suitable for children of different ages: from birth, from 6 and 10 months. As for the vegetables and fruits from which the products are made, they are grown and harvested by the manufacturer. Hipp baby food can be found in supermarkets and pharmacies. Here is one of Hipp product reviews: « My baby likes it very much, and he is a very fastidious eater! ,” a parent wrote in the group.
Friso
Many parents are familiar with Friso nutrition. This is a manufacturer of powdered milk formulas for babies from birth and gluten-free cereals for the first and subsequent complementary foods. Some parents add Friso infant formula to dairy-free porridges from other manufacturers: “ The porridge is very tasty, the son eats with great pleasure ”, “ Good, tasty porridge. Smells good, blends well. My son is not allergic to her. We like ".
Many mothers are alarmed that the composition of these dry mixes does not comply with GOST. Do you always look at the compliance of products with the state standard?
Popular Russian producers
The popularity of vegetable and fruit purees for children of such brands as Babushkino basket, Tyoma and Frutonyanya is due to quality and affordable price. The range of domestically produced products can be found in pharmacies and on the shelves of children's departments in supermarkets. In general, parents are satisfied with the products of these brands and often purchase them for babies.
Parent reviews or advertisements
Reviews or advertisements determine baby food choices? The baby receives useful trace elements daily with breast milk or an adapted mixture from birth. Artificial feeding or the introduction of complementary foods is the most important stage in the life of any parent. The growing body of a child simply needs vitamins and minerals for the harmonious development and strengthening of immunity. Everyone knows this very well. That is why it is necessary to find out which baby food company is the best.
In stores you can see a huge number of types of baby food from a variety of manufacturers. What to pay attention to in the first place and what to be guided by when choosing? Trademark advertising plays an important role. If every day we are convinced from the TV screen that the nutrition of one or another manufacturer is the best for the child, then when we come to the store, we are looking for this particular product with our eyes.
This approach, it must be understood, is not correct.
When introducing a new product into the baby's diet, especially at a very early age, a mandatory consultation with a pediatrician is necessary.
Each baby's body is deeply individual and what suits one may not suit another. Parents need to learn more about the quality of production of infant formula, fruit, vegetable and meat purees, cereals, compotes and juices. It is also important to know which baby food brands other more experienced parents are choosing.
Top 14 baby food manufacturers
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The author of the article: Elena Viktorovna
*Overview of the best according to the editors of simplerule.ru. About selection criteria. This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.
Baby food is a source of energy that a growing baby needs. It contains useful substances for the development of the body and strengthening the immune system, and also ensures the transition of the child from breastfeeding to adult food. Our experts have studied the reviews and research of independent experts to prepare a rating of the best baby food manufacturers.
Baby food recommendations
Quality nutrition is the key to your child's health. In order not to make a mistake with the choice, always pay attention to the composition. In addition to the main product (vegetables, meat, fruits), water, olive oil, cereals, probiotics and rice flour are allowed, which is added to obtain a homogeneous and thick consistency.
Useful tips to help you make the right choice:
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Prohibited Ingredients . The composition of products should not include: GMOs, artificial flavors and dyes, preservatives, stabilizers, palm oil, flavor and aroma enhancers.
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Types of food. Baby food can be hypoallergenic, therapeutic or preventive. It is recommended to choose them after consultation with a pediatrician and on his recommendation.
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Packaging. Available in glass or plastic. Both formats are convenient, but soft pouches are easier to take with you (for example, while walking) and do not require the use of cutlery.
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Variety . If the baby’s menu up to 6 months is quite monotonous, then as he grows up, he needs more different nutrients: proteins, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and fats.
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And most importantly, always read the label of cereal, puree or other baby food . It always indicates the age from which the use of the product is allowed, the full composition, expiration date and storage conditions.
Rating of the best manufacturers of baby food
| Rating of the best manufacturers of baby food | one | Gerber | 5. 0 |
| 2 | Semper | 4.9 | |
| 3 | Humana | 4.8 | |
| four | Fleur Alpine | 4.7 | |
| 5 | HiPP | 4.6 | |
| 6 | Bebivita | 4.5 | |
| 7 | Heinz | 4.4 | |
| eight | Izbenka | 4.3 | |
| 9 | Nutricia | 4.2 | |
| ten | Grandma's basket | 4.1 | |
| eleven | FrutoNanny | 4.0 | |
| 12 | Agusha | 3.9 | |
| 13 | diaper | 3.8 | |
| fourteen | Topic | 3. 7 |
Gerber
Rating: 5.0
The first place is occupied by the manufacturer Gerber (USA), which for more than 80 years has been making sure that kids get the best. In Russia, the product range is represented by 60 items, including fruit, fruit-cereal and vegetable purees, as well as juices and desserts.
They are available in jars (80, 130 and 190 g) and in soft packs (90 g), which are convenient to take with you for a walk. The great advantage of this brand is that the percentage of meat is indicated in meat purees and it is quite high - 60%.
Most vegetable purees are one-component, so they are good for starting complementary foods. All fruit formulations include vitamin C, which is beneficial for the immune system of babies. The advantages of many mothers include natural taste and smell, the absence of synthetic additives and a large selection.
Benefits
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convenient packaging,
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natural taste,
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without GMO,
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dense consistency.
Defects
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high price.
Semper
Rating: 4.9
The manufacturer Semper (Sweden) offers premium baby food adapted to any age. The assortment includes vitamin teas and juices, dry mixes, fruit, meat and multi-cereal purees, meatballs, etc.
It differs from competitors in that the products are recognized as environmentally friendly and meet international quality standards. Does not contain GMO, sugar and glucose. The only exception is blueberry puree, which contains sugar.
Useful: Semper baby purees have different packaging, so you can choose the format that is more convenient for you: 90, 125 or 190 g. In reviews of vegetable purees, cauliflower, broccoli and zucchini are recommended for the first feeding.
Benefits
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complete power line,
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interesting combination of flavors
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without preservatives and fragrances,
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balanced composition.
Defects
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high price.
Humana
Rating: 4.8
We added baby food from the Humana brand (Germany) to the rating because it contains iron, iodine, lactose, as well as a complex of vitamins A, D and C. They contribute to the proper development of babies and strengthen the immune system.
A big plus is that the Humana brand formula is as close as possible to breast milk. A separate nutrition line has been developed for premature babies, as well as for those who are intolerant to cow's milk.
The reviews write that the mixtures of this brand quickly and without lumps get divorced, and children eat them with pleasure. They have a thick texture, uniform color and pleasant taste, do not cause constipation. Many give them from birth on the recommendation of pediatricians.
Benefits
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affordable price,
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easy to breed
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complex of vitamins and minerals,
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sugarless,
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does not cause allergies.
Defects
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not found.
Fleur Alpine
Rating: 4.7
Organic baby food from Fleur Alpine (Lithuania) is suitable for babies from birth. It is designed for children with gluten intolerance, as well as allergies to cow's milk protein. Contains no added sugar and is suitable for toddlers.
The line includes a large selection of vegetable and fruit purees, but only in soft packs of 90 and 120 g, which are convenient to take with you. The composition includes 100% fruit, without the addition of starch, water, flour and synthetic vitamins.
Fleur Alpine pumpkin, carrot and pear purees are perfect for the first feeding. The reviews write that they often take them with them as a snack for a walk. The benefits include a pleasant taste, texture and smell.
Benefits
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organic puree,
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without GMO,
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large selection of flavors
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based on goat milk.
Defects
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There are no mixes in the line.
HiPP
Rating: 4.6
Organic nutrition from the HiPP brand (Germany) is great for starting complementary foods. All products have a very worthy composition without starch, sugar and salt. Vegetable and meat purees include a little rice flour, which improves the consistency. The content of meat in meat purees is 40%.
Ready meals are presented in the form of liquid cereals, soups, meat and fish dishes, nectars. There are dairy and non-dairy products. All of them are very high quality and easy to prepare. Problems with the tummy and stool do not cause.
All purees have a balanced composition, including calcium, folic acid, fiber and vitamins C, PP, K. They strengthen the immune system and are an excellent source of energy for children who are constantly on the move.
Benefits
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uniform texture,
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gentle production mode,
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natural composition,
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does not cause allergies.
Defects
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the price is above average.
Bebivita
Rating: 4.5
The next place is occupied by nutrition from the Bebivita brand (Germany), which does not contain dyes, gluten and salt. It has a homogeneous consistency without inclusions. It belongs to low-allergenic products because it does not contain milk protein.
The reviews say that these are delicious and ready-to-eat dishes. They are available in convenient glass jars (100 g). The composition of most purees is rich in iron, useful for blood formation and mental development of children.
Minus - a very low meat content (only 8%). For such a price, you can find more balanced products with a high meat content from other manufacturers, so we recommend only vegetable and fruit purees from Bebivita.
Benefits
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low allergenic product
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completely ready for use
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rich in iron.
Defects
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low meat content.
Heinz
Rating: 4.4
Among all manufacturers, Heinz (USA) has the widest selection of cereals: dairy, whole grain, low-allergenic, dairy-free and even drinkable. In addition to cereals, the brand's assortment includes mashed potatoes, vermicelli, mixtures, biscuits, tea and puddings.
Heinz has a special line designed for older children. For example, cereals with coarse grinding, which help the child move from baby food to the general table. The product line also includes meat (60% meat content) and fish dishes.
The composition of the products includes natural ingredients and prebiotics. The reviews say that they are very tasty and nutritious. Thanks to the large selection of flavors, you can always choose different products. A big plus is the convenient and airtight packaging.
Benefits
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hearty foods,
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hypoallergenic formula,
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with prebiotics
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convenient and beautiful packaging,
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a taste that kids love.
Defects
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high price without discount.
Izbenka
Rating: 4.3
Baby food from the Izbenka brand (Russia) is presented in VkusVill stores. The line is small, but all products are tasty and natural. They contain organic ingredients, so they are good for starting complementary foods.
Vegetable and fruit purees contain only the main ingredient (apple, pear, banana, etc.). The manufacturer claims that all products are made in season from fruits of their own production, which are previously tested for radiation and nitrates.
The content of meat in meat purees is 51%, which is quite a lot. The pluses in the reviews include affordable cost, pleasant taste and thick texture. The downside is the complexity of the purchase, because you can find products of this Russian brand only in company stores.
Benefits
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low price,
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natural composition,
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seasonal fruits and vegetables,
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high meat content.
Defects
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a small assortment
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sold only in branded stores.
Nutricia
Rating: 4.2
High quality, pleasant taste and affordable price are the main advantages of products for children from the Nutricia brand (Netherlands). They are designed for babies from birth to 3 years. The most popular products are milk mixtures of dry consistency.
The company offers several product lines: "Baby", "Baby" and Nutrilon. The latter differ in that they contain the nutrients necessary for the healthy development of premature babies, as well as babies with digestive disorders.
Products do not contain sugar, preservatives and dyes. On the contrary, they contain vitamins and microelements (iron, zinc).
Benefits
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a wide range of mixtures
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hypoallergenic products,
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affordable price,
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help with digestive problems.
Defects
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awkward packaging.
Grandmother's basket
Rating: 4.1
If you are looking for inexpensive but high-quality baby food, we recommend the products of the Babushkino Lukoshko brand (Russia). The line includes vegetable, meat, fish and fruit purees. Nutrition is available in jars (100 g) and soft packs (90 g).
The composition of all products is good, nothing superfluous. In vegetable purees, only the main product and water, in fruit purees - only the main product, in meat purees, rice flour is added to thicken the consistency. However, the percentage of meat in the composition is not indicated.
Benefits
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low price,
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soft texture,
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without salt,
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additional packaging protection.
Defects
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Not all flavors are to the liking of children.
FrutoNanny
Rating: 4.0
The main advantage of FrutoNyanya baby food (Russia) is availability. It can be found in almost all stores and at an affordable cost. The manufacturer's product lines include a large selection of meat, fruit and vegetable purees, cereals and other products.
Most of the products of this brand are perfect for the first feeding, there are no complaints about the composition. They contain only the main product, in meat purees - in addition to the main product, rice flour, vegetable oil and water.
All nutrition is available in jars (80 and 100 g), as well as soft packs (90 g). The reviews say that there are often discounts on these products, so you can buy them cheaply. The pluses also include vitamin C in the composition and a pleasant texture.
Benefits
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low prices,
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large selection - more than 250 items,
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natural composition.
Defects
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not suitable for babies from birth.
Agusha
Rating: 4.0
Nutrition from the Agusha brand (Russia) is suitable for babies with sensitive gastrointestinal tract and a tendency to allergic reactions. The range is represented by fruit purees, cereals, juices, snacks and drinks, including purified water, which can be given to babies without boiling.
The advantages of mashed potatoes include a dense and thick consistency, so they are nutritious and saturate well. Many products contain natural grains, which makes them even more beneficial for a growing child's body.
In the reviews they write that they choose Agusha products for convenient packaging (even juices and water are produced in sealed bottles) and a favorable price. As for the minuses, there are no vegetable or meat purees in the assortment.
Benefits
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affordable prices,
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thick texture,
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with natural cereals
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benefit for the child.
Defects
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limited choice.
Diaper
Rating: 4.0
Fruit and vegetable nutrition from the Spelenok brand (Russia) is designed for children in their first year of life. It does not contain sugar, dyes and flavors. Produced from organic fruits and vegetables, most of which grow in the Volgograd region.
The main advantage of this brand is the use of modern production technologies (for example, gentle sterilization). This guarantees the preservation of the taste and appearance of natural products, and also prevents any bacteria from entering them.
The range of the brand includes only juices and purees. Quality is controlled by two licensed laboratories operating at the plant. However, starch was found in this brand of zucchini puree, despite the fact that the packaging is labeled “no starch”.
Benefits
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affordable price,
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soft texture,
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kids love the taste
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does not cause allergies.
Defects
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no fish and meat products,
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starch was found in one of the products.
Topic
Rating: 4.0
The rating is completed by the Tema brand (Russia), which produces dairy products for children and meat purees. They are presented in sealed tin cans (100 g). Raw materials for their production are supplied from the Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories.
The composition is worthy: the main product (about 40% of meat), rice groats, water and sunflower oil. Good for first feeding babies. No extra ingredients: sugar, salt, flavors, starch and gluten.
Judging by the reviews, the best choice would be mashed chicken, rabbit and turkey. The price is very affordable, the products are presented in many stores. In general, tasty and natural products that children like.
Benefits
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availability,
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sealed packaging,
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high meat content
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good taste and smell.
