Sprout baby food reviews

Sprout Baby Food Recall 2022: Everything You Need To Know

Updated on 17 September 2022 • 10 minute read
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Overview

According to a study, most American babies may be eating commercial baby foods. But as much as 95% of baby foods may have dangerous heavy metals like mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic. (1)(2)

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What’s so alarming about this is that even low concentrations of heavy metals can harm your child’s body and brain development. It can lead to IQ decline and behavioral issues. (3)(4)

Sprout Organic Baby Foods by Sprout Foods, Inc. are among the top name brands trusted by many parents to provide proper nutrition for babies.

But it’s also among the brands called out by the 2021 Congressional Reports on baby food safety for making products with exceedingly high levels of heavy metals. (5)

How did companies like Sprout Foods, Inc. react to the Congressional Reports? Was there any Sprout Baby Food recall issued afterward? Have there been any other Sprout products recalled in the past? Has the company figured in other baby food safety reports? Find out more below. (6)

Sprout Baby Food Recalls

There have been no baby food recall advisories or product safety warnings from the company regarding any issue involving their baby foods.

Also, like the other companies called out in the Congressional Report for making baby foods containing high levels of toxic metals, Sprout Foods, Inc. (Sprout Organic Foods) hasn’t issued a relevant safety warning or recall. (5)(7)

But this isn’t the first food safety issue for Sprout and these other baby food companies.

It was also included in the list of manufacturers with dangerous levels of toxic heavy metals in separate tests done by Consumer Reports (2018) and HBBF (Healthy Babies Bright Futures, 2019). (2)(6)

Yet, the company hasn’t recalled any product concerning any of these baby food safety reports. (2)(6)(7)

Sprout Baby Food In Congressional Reports

First Subcommittee Congressional Report

The Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy of the House of Representatives released a detailed baby food safety report over the high heavy metal content on products made by popular manufacturers in February 2021. (5)

Which Baby Food Brands Are Toxic?

Headed by Chairman Raja Krishnamoorthi, the Subcommittee asked these baby food companies to submit internal policies and test results on heavy metals: (5)

Sprout Foods, Inc. (Sprout Organic Foods)
Nurture, Inc. (HappyBABY, HappyTOT, and Happy Family Organics)
Beech-Nut Nutrition Company (Beech-Nut)
Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (Earth’s Best Organic)
Gerber
Campbell’s Plum Organics
Walmart Inc. (Parent’s Choice)

Only four baby food makers sent their test results and internal policies for the first Congressional Report: (5)

Gerber
Beech-Nut
Nurture
Hain

Campbell Soup Company (Plum Organics) was only able to provide these data in the second Congressional Report. But the rest, Walmart and Sprout, still didn’t update the Subcommittee with their internal policies. (7)

According to the first Congressional Report, these baby food manufacturers have dangerous levels of toxic heavy metals that exceeded government regulations several times. (5)

To ensure their products pass, the companies reportedly increased the maximum limits in their internal policies. (5)

For example, the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) set these maximum limits, in ppb (parts per billion), for bottled water: (8)

5 ppb lead
5 ppb cadmium
10 ppb inorganic arsenic

Instead of following the limits, these baby food makers increased their internal limits to much higher levels: (5)

Hain (cadmium): 200 ppb
Hain (lead): 200 ppb
Beech-Nut (cadmium): 3,000 ppb
Beech-Nut (lead): 5,000 ppb

Also, the maximum limit for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal is 100 ppb.

But these companies set their internal maximum limits to these: (5)(8)

Beech-Nut (arsenic): 3,000 ppb
Hain (arsenic): 200 ppb
Nurture (arsenic): 115 ppb

The maximum limit for drinking water (but may also apply to food) is 2 ppb mercury, according to EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) guidelines. (9)

Does Sprout Baby Food Contain Arsenic?

According to the Subcommittee, Sprout Foods, Inc. never responded. So, these test results for Organic Quinoa Puffs Baby Cereal Snack (flavor: Apple Kale) are from the HBBF report: (2)(5)

Inorganic Arsenic:

Up to 107 ppb

Mercury:

Up to 1.31 ppb

Lead:

Up to 39.3 ppb

Cadmium:

Up to 41.5 ppb

Second Congressional Report

The Subcommittee’s new report in September 2021 shows that the companies still produce baby foods with dangerous levels of inorganic arsenic and other heavy metals. (5)(7)

None of the baby food companies issued any food safety warning nor recalled their products with toxic metal content. (7)

Is There A Lawsuit Against Baby Food?

Sprout Foods, Inc. faces a class suit in the state of California, USA, for “negligent, reckless, and/or intentional practice of misrepresenting and failing to fully disclose the presence of dangerous substances in its baby foods.” (10)

The class suit cites the Congressional Report as the basis, quoting the Subcommittee’s statement about commercial baby foods having significant levels of toxic heavy metals. (10)

The company also faces another lawsuit alongside Beech-Nut Nutrition Company, Campbell Soup Company, Gerber Products Company, Hain Celestial Group, Nurture, Inc, and Walmart filed in the District of Kansas, USA. (11)

The Kansas class suit argued: (11)

“The greed of executives at baby food companies has caused them to engage long-running, ongoing schemes to defraud involving premium baby food.

Several companies have promised and reassured parents that their baby food products are pure, natural, safe, and healthy; in reality, these products contain heavy metals that are not pure, unnatural, unsafe, and pose a major risk to babies and infants.”

Sprout Foods, Inc. also faces a class-action lawsuit in New Jersey, USA, for “mislabeling” its baby foods as “organic” and “healthy” despite containing unsafe toxic metal levels. (12)

In response, the company asked the judge to dismiss this class suit, pointing to the FDA as the regulatory authority over the issue on acceptable heavy metal levels: (12)

“What levels of heavy metals in baby foods are safe and acceptable, and whether it is misleading for foods containing certain levels of heavy metals to make true labeling statements about their contents, such as ‘organic,’ are questions that fall squarely within FDA’s authority to regulate both the safety and labeling of food. ”

HBBF Comprehensive Food Safety Test

Independent tests of 168 baby foods from different brands commissioned by the HBBF showed the following results: (2)

Arsenic: 73% of tested baby foods
Lead: 94% of tested baby foods
Mercury: 32% of tested baby foods
Cadmium: 75% of tested baby foods

As much as 26% of these baby foods contain all four toxic chemicals in one container. (2)

Sprout Baby Food in HBBF Study

These Sprout Organic products have high toxic metal content based on the HBBF study: (2)

Organic Quinoa Puffs Baby Cereal Snack – Apple Kale

Total arsenic: 107 ppb

Inorganic arsenic: 47 ppb

Lead: 39.3 ppb

Cadmium: 41. 5 ppb

Mercury: 1.31 ppb

Organic Crispy Chews Red Fruit Beet & Berry with Crispy Brown Rice (Toddler Fruit Snack)

Total arsenic: 19.2 ppb

Inorganic arsenic: (not measurable)

Lead: 7.7 ppb

Cadmium: 1.2 ppb

Mercury: 0.185 ppb

Prunes Organic Baby Food (Stage 1, starting solids)

Total arsenic: 3.9 ppb

Inorganic arsenic: (not measurable)

Lead: 6.1 ppb

Cadmium: <0.5 ppb

Mercury: <0.245 ppb

Carrot Apple Mango Organic Baby Food (Stage 2, 6 months & up)

Total arsenic: 6. 1 ppb

Inorganic arsenic: (not measurable)

Lead: 2.1 ppb

Cadmium: 15.1 ppb

Mercury: <0.131 ppb

The following Sprout Baby Food products have measurable toxic heavy metal content, but the values are within government regulations: (2)

Garden Vegetables Brown Rice with Turkey (for 8 months & up, Stage 3)
Butternut Chickpea Quinoa & Dates Organic Baby Food

Consumer Reports Food Safety Test

Consumer Reports tested 50 baby foods for heavy metals in 2018: (6)

Nearly 68% of baby foods may have high levels of at least one toxic metal.
At least 15 baby foods can have potential health risks if eaten daily
Products with sweet potatoes or rice may contain higher toxic metal levels
Organic foods may have the same amount of heavy metals as conventional baby foods

Based on Consumer Reports’ tests, these products are categorized as “more concern” due to high toxic metal content. You can follow these daily serving limits: (6)

Sprout Organic

Quinoa Puffs Baby Cereal Snack, Apple Kale (<1.5 servings)
Garden Vegetables Brown Rice With Turkey (<1 serving)

Happy Baby Organics

Organic Probiotic Baby Cereal (<3 servings)
Organics Superfood Puffs, Apple & Broccoli (<1 serving)
Organics Superfood Puffs, Purple Carrot & Blueberry (<1 serving)

Beech-Nut

Classics Sweet Potatoes (<0.5 serving)
Complete Rice Single Grain Baby Cereal (<3 servings)
Complete Oatmeal Whole Grain Baby Cereal (<2.5 servings)
Organic Oatmeal Whole Grain Baby Cereal (<2.5 servings)

Earth’s Best Organic

Chicken & Brown Rice (<1 serving)
Sunny Days Snack Bars, Strawberry (<1 serving)
Whole Grain Oatmeal Cereal (<2. 5 servings)
Sweet Potatoes, 1st Stage (<0.5 serving)
Whole Grain Rice Cereal (<1 serving)

Baby Mum-Mum

Banana Rice Rusks (<3 servings)
Vegetable Rice Rusks (3 servings)

Plum Organics

Little Yums Organic Teething Wafers, Pumpkin & Banana (<5.5 servings)
Just Sweet Potato Organic Baby Food (<1 serving)
Mighty Sticks Whole Grain Snacks, Berry Beet (<1.5 servings)

Gerber

Turkey & Rice (<1 serving)
Lil’ Meals flavor White Turkey Stew With Rice and Vegetables (<0.5 serving)
Carrot, Pear & Blackberry (<1 serving)
Carrots Peas & Corn With Lil’ Bits (<1 serving)
Oatmeal Single Grain Cereal (<2. 5 servings)
Organic Oatmeal Cereal (<2.5 servings)
Graduates Arrowroot Cookies (<6 servings)
Graduates Cinnamon Graham Animal Crackers (<4.5 servings)
Graduates Banana Cookies (<4 servings)
Graduates Waffle Wheels Puffed Grain Snack, Banana Cream (<3 servings)
Graduates Lil’ Biscuits Vanilla Wheat (<2.5 servings)
Graduates Cereal Bars, Strawberry Banana (<1.5 servings)

Parent’s Choice (Walmart)

Little Puffs Cereal Snack, Strawberry Apple (<1.5 servings)

What Is The Safest Baby Food?

These can be a healthier alternative for your baby:

Little Spoon (subscription-based)
Yumi (subscription-based)
Little Journey Organics
Once Upon A Farm
Serenity Kids

Preparing Healthier Alternatives At Home

The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) advises parents to provide young children with various foods to help reduce the toxic heavy metal levels in their diet. (13)

HBBF and Consumer Reports recommend the following healthier food options: (2)(6)

High-Risk Food: Infant rice cereal or other snacks made from rice flour (including puffs)

Heavy Metals: Lead, arsenic, and cadmium

Healthier Snack Alternatives:

Rice-free packaged snacks
Multigrain snacks
Apples
Applesauce (unsweetened)
Bananas
Barley with diced vegetables
Beans
Cheese
Grapes
Hard-boiled eggs
Peaches
Yogurt

High-Risk Food: Rice rusks or teething biscuits

Heavy Metals: Lead, arsenic, and cadmium

Healthier Alternatives:

Frozen banana
Peeled and chilled cucumber

High-Risk Food: Single grain rice cereal

Heavy Metals: Arsenic

Healthier Alternatives:

Non-rice or multigrain cereals
Oatmeal
Corn
Barley
Quinoa

High-Risk Food: Fruit juices from apple, grape, pear, and others

Heavy Metals: Lead and arsenic

Healthier Alternatives:

Tap water
Whole or puree fruits (applesauce)

High-Risk Food: Sweet potatoes and carrots

Heavy metals: Lead and cadmium

Healthier Alternatives:

These vegetables are important in your baby’s diet because they’re rich in vitamin A and other nutrients.
But you still need to limit your baby’s intake of these vegetables. Serve them together with other veggies, instead.

You may also opt to use these ingredients to make your baby’s food at home: (7)

Quality meats, poultry, or fish
Healthy fats (coconut oil, olive oil, or ghee)
Whole or puréed vegetables and fruits (avocados, apples, bananas, peaches, grapes, and strawberries)
Organic eggs
Bone broth
Raw yogurt
Coconut yogurt
Quinoa
Oats

You can also follow these guidelines: (2)(6)

Avoid using brown rice (it has a higher inorganic arsenic content than white rice)
Healthier alternatives: White basmati rice (from California, India, and Pakistan) or sushi rice from the US
Prepare rice with more water (6-10 parts water per 1 part rice). Drain afterward.
Avoid chocolates
Avoid high-mercury fish: king mackerel, shark, swordfish, bigeye tuna, and orange roughy.

Other Companies In The Congressional Reports

Aside from Sprout Foods, Inc., these baby food makers were also listed on the Congressional reports: (5)(7)

Nurture, Inc. (HappyBABY, Happy Family Organics, and HappyTOTS)

Nurture is the only baby food maker that tested both its ingredients and finished products for heavy metal content. (5)

Yet the results were alarming, with many of its food products having high levels of toxic heavy metals. (5)

It turns out that Nurture doesn’t correct the products despite the test results. The company told the Subcommittee that the results aren’t used as a basis for product release. (5)

These are the toxic metal test results from Nurture, Inc.: (5)

Inorganic Arsenic:

Up to 100 ppb – over 25% of Nurture baby products
Up to 160 ppb – Strawberry & Beet Puffs
Up to 160 ppb – Banana & Pumpkin Puffs
Up to 180 ppb – Apple & Broccoli Puffs

Mercury:

Up to 9. 8 ppb – Banana Sweet Potato
Up to 10 ppb – Brown Rice Cereal Canister

Lead:

Up to 10 ppb – Nurture vegetable and rice products
Up to 560 ppb – Multi-Grain Cereal Canister
Up to 641 ppb – Blueberry Purple Carrot

Cadmium:

Up to 5 ppb – close to 65% of Nurture products
Up to 36 ppb – Strawberry Raspberry
Up to 49 ppb – Multi-Grain Cereal Canister

Campbell Soup Company (Plum Organics) Results

Plum Organics refused to submit internal standards or any test results, according to the Subcommittee’s first report. The company insists on its finished products “meeting criteria.” (5)

The following are test results for Plum Organics (flavor: Just Sweet Potato) from the HBBF report: (2)

Mercury:

Less than 0. 142 ppb

Inorganic Arsenic:

Up to 3.1 ppb

Lead:

Up to 5.6 ppb

Cadmium:

Up to 2.3 ppb

The test results of Plum Organics were finally included in the second Congressional Report. But the Subcommittee was alarmed that these showed alarmingly higher levels of toxic metals compared with the HBBF data: (7)

Arsenic: Over 200 ppb arsenic – in 100% of Plum’s Super Puff rice-based products
Lead: Over 5 ppb lead – in 54.5% of Plum Organics products
Cadmium: Over 5 ppb cadmium – in 38.3% of Plum Organics products

Gerber Products Company

Gerber told the Subcommittee that it only conducts heavy metal testing in raw materials. (5)

Mercury:

No mercury test.

Inorganic Arsenic:

Up to 90 ppb – ingredient: rice flour

Lead:

Up to 48 ppb – ingredient: sweet potatoes

Cadmium:

Over 5 ppb in carrots – in 75% of raw ingredients
Up to 87 ppb – ingredient: carrot batches
No test for cadmium in other raw materials

Hain Celestial Group, Inc.

(Earth’s Best Organic)

Hain told the Subcommittee Report that it only makes “theoretical calculations” based on the ingredients’ results to estimate the heavy metal content in their finished products. (5)

Inorganic Arsenic:

Up to 309 ppb – ingredients
Up to 129 ppb – finished products

Mercury:

No mercury test.

Lead:

Up to 352 ppb – raw materials

Cadmium:

Up to 260 ppb – ingredients

Walmart Inc. (Parent’s Choice)

Walmart didn’t submit anything to the Subcommittee. These results are from the HBBF report: (2)(5)

Inorganic Arsenic:

Up to 108 ppb – Organic Strawberry Rice Rusks
Up to 56.1 ppb – Little Hearts Strawberry Yogurt Cereal Snack

Mercury:

Up to 2. 05 ppb – Organic Strawberry Rice Rusks
Up to 0.941 ppb – Little Hearts Strawberry Yogurt Cereal Snack

Lead:

Up to 26.9 ppb – Organic Strawberry Rice Rusks
Up to 5.2 ppb – Little Hearts Strawberry Yogurt Cereal Snack

Cadmium:

Up to 26.1 ppb – Little Hearts Strawberry Yogurt Cereal Snack
Up to 2.4 ppb – version: Organic Strawberry Rice Rusks

Beech-Nut Nutrition Company (Beech-Nut)

Beech-Nut submitted test results and declared that everything passed internal standards. But the internal maximum limits used are much higher than government regulations: (5)

Mercury:

No mercury test.

Inorganic Arsenic:

More than 300 ppb (in additives or ingredients used in different products)
Up to 913. 4 ppb (raw materials)

Lead:

Up to 886.9 ppb (raw materials)

Cadmium:

Up to 344.55 ppb (raw materials)

REFERENCES

(1) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29706668/

(2) http://www.healthybabyfood.org/sites/healthybabyfoods.org/files/2019-10/BabyFoodReport_FULLREPORT_ENGLISH_R5b.pdf

(3) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23570911/

(4) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4418502/

(5) https://oversight.house.gov/sites/democrats.oversight.house.gov/files/2021-02-04%20ECP%20Baby%20Food%20Staff%20Report.pdf

(6) https://www.consumerreports.org/food-safety/heavy-metals-in-baby-food/

(7) https://oversight.house.gov/sites/democrats.oversight.house.gov/files/ECP%20Second%20Baby%20Food%20Report%209.29.21%20FINAL.pdf

(8) https://www.fda.gov/food/metals-and-your-food/arsenic-food-and-dietary-supplements

(9) https://www. epa.gov/mercury/what-epa-doing-reduce-mercury-pollution-and-exposures-mercury

(10) https://classactionsreporter.com/sprout–baby-foods-heavy-metal-content-california-class-action/

(11) https://www.docketalarm.com/cases/Kansas_District_Court/2–21-cv-02096/Johnson_v._Beech-Nut_Nutrition_Company_et_al/1/

(12) https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/baby-food-class-action-lawsuit-and-settlement-news/1029905-sprout–baby-food-co-says-fda-responsible-toxic-heavy-metal-in-bid-to-dismiss-class-action/

(13) https://www.aappublications.org/news/2021/05/01/parentplus-babyfoodmetal050121

Buying Guide: 9 Best Organic Baby Food Pouches 2022

Home » Feeding Style » Baby Food Purees » Stage Two » Buying Guide: 9 Best Organic Baby Food Pouches

9 Best Organic Baby Food Pouches – an expert review of the best tried-and-true brands! I tested all 9 baby food pouches for consistency, taste, ingredients and price and come up with my 4 winners! Easy guide on the best store-bought baby food pouches to serve baby!

Best Baby Food Pouches

I get it.

You may not want to make all of your own baby food, or you are in a pinch and are traveling or heading to a playdate without a stash of puree on you.

You need a go-to brand of store-bought baby food that’s as delicious as it is nutritious.

So I rounded up 9 of the top brands of store-bought organic baby foods and put them through my rigorous testing.

I tested them for consistency, taste, price and ingredients <—— yes, you read that right, I tasted each and every baby food puree in this post!

And I was actually surprised what I discovered.

More than half of them I would feed to my own babies! But a couple of them I would pass up in the market in a heart beat.

There were clearly 4 amazing winners (see below for the official awards).

And find out which ones to avoid.

A couple of things before you see the results:

I bought all of these baby food purees at my local Target, Whole Foods or King Soopers. If you can’t find them at your local grocery stores, or you want front door service, you can order all of these pouches directly from amazon with the links provided.
This is not a sponsored post. Non of these brands have paid me, or even know I am posting this. This is just my honest expert opinion.
No pouches are recyclable through a city recycling program, which a big bummer. You can however recycle them through TerraCycle. I also know that some preschools and baby stores in some cities already have these recycle programs in place for you to use.

Organic Baby Food Pouches Reviewed:

Happy Baby Organics
Gerber Organic
Plum Organics
Peter Rabbit
Earths Best
Sprout
Once Upon a Farm
NuturME
Mama Bear

Organic Baby Food Pouch Winners!!

Best Overall Pouch: Plum Organics

Best Priced Pouch: Mama Bear

Best Tasting Pouch: NuturMe

Best Ingredients: Happy Baby

Happy Baby Organics – Winner of Best Ingredients

I taste-tested these two Happy Baby Organics Baby Food Pouches:

Apples, Pumpkin & Carrots Puree
Pears, Kale & Spinach Puree

Overall:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4/5 stars

Notes: Smooth puree with hints of the real food but rounded out to be a little bland with a hint of tartness. Not a bad puree, just a mild taste that would be great for baby’s with sensitive taste buds. Love the ingredient list saying how much produce is in each pouch!

Consistency: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars
Taste: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars
Ingredients: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars
Price: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars (average 0.36/ounce)

Try a bunch of flavors with their Assorted Variety Pouch Pack!

Gerber Organic

I taste-tested these two Gerber Organic Baby Food Pouches:

Apple, Carrot, Squash Puree
Banana, Blueberry, Blackberry, Oatmeal Puree

Overall: ⭐️⭐️ 2/5 stars

Notes: The apple, carrot and squash puree was watery. The Oatmeal puree contains wheat, which I thought was an unnecessary ingredient for a baby puree. Both were VERY sweet and I thought they had added concentrated apple juice or something. Overall, not my favorite purees.

Consistency: ⭐️⭐️ 2/5 stars
Taste: ⭐️⭐️ 2/5 stars
Ingredients: ⭐️⭐️ 2/5 stars
Price: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 stars (average 0.38/ounce)

Plum Organics – Winner of Best Overall Pouch

I taste-tested these two Plum Organics Baby Food Pouches:

Apple & Carrot Baby Food Puree
Apple, Plum, Berry & Barley Baby Food Puree

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5/5 stars

Notes: These two baby food purees surprised me because I could actually taste the individual flavors of the produce in each pouch! Not overly sweet or tart. Overall, one of my favorite pouches!

Consistency: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars
Taste: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars
Ingredients: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars
Price: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars (average 0. 33/ounce)

Try a bunch of flavors with their Plum Organics Stage 2 Fruit & Veggie Variety Pack.

Peter Rabbit Organics

I taste-tested these two Peter Rabbit Organics Baby Food Pouches:

Banana, Raspberry & Blueberry Puree
Banana, Mango, Broccoli & Kale Puree

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 stars

Notes: The consistency was so amazing – thick and smooth, but the taste was too sweet and you couldn’t taste anything but banana. Would be great for desserts or special purees for baby.

Consistency: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars
Taste: ⭐️⭐️ 2/5 stars
Ingredients: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars
Price: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 stars (average 0.38/ounce)

Earth’s Best

I taste-tested these two Earth’s Best Baby Food Pouches:

Pear, Carrot Apricot Baby Food Puree
Banana Blueberry Baby Food Puree

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3. 5/5 stars

Notes: Not too sweet or tart. Okay, if not on the blander side. Would be great for babies with more sensitive palettes.

Consistency: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars
Taste: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 stars
Ingredients: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 stars
Price: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars (average 0.29/ounce)

Try several flavors with the Earth’s Best Vegetable and Fruit Variety Pack.

Sprout

I taste-tested these two Sprout Baby Food Pouches:

Carrot Apple Mango
Apple Blueberry

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars

Notes: I was completely surprised by this one. They both tasted like real food! Not too sweet, just right. Filled with great ingredients. Would definitely feed these pouches to my girls.

Consistency: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars
Taste: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars
Ingredients: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars
Price: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 stars (average 0. 40/ounce)

Would definitely recommend trying out this Sprout Organic 12 Flavor Variety Sampler!

Once Upon A Farm

I taste-tested these two Once Upon A Farm Baby Food Pouches:

Sun-Shiny Strawberry Patch
Green Kale & Apple

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 stars

Notes: I really really wanted to love this brand of baby food, but it just didn’t hit the mark for me, especially for the price. The strawberry patch was way too watery and the green kale had a very intense kale flavor that I think most babies would be turned off of. Their ingredients and method of making their purees (cold press so you don’t lose any nutrients) is the most creative and nutrient dense of the bunch, so I am giving them some credit for that.

Consistency: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 stars
Taste: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 stars
Ingredients: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars
Price: ⭐️ 1/5 stars (average 0. 90/ounce)

NuturME – Winner of Best Tasting Pouch

I taste-tested these two NuturMe Baby Food Pouches:

Apple – Pumpkin – Beet
Banana – Pumpkin – Celery

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5/5 stars

Notes: I was completely surprised by this brand – it was delicious! Great consistency, taste and ingredients! They are a newer company, so they are priced a little higher than their competition, but in my foodie opinion, it’s so worth it.

Consistency: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars
Taste: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars
Ingredients: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars
Price: ⭐️⭐️ 2/5 stars (average 0.58/ounce)

I would for sure put this NuturMe Power Blends Variety Pack on Subscribe and Save – it’s so worth it!

Mama Bear – Winner of

Best Priced Pouch

I taste-tested these two Mama Bear Baby Food Pouches:

Pumpkin, Apple, Peach, Buckwheat
Pear, Apple, Broccoli

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 stars

Notes: This puree was a little too sweet and acidic at the same time. The price is surprisingly the cheapest of the bunch, so I might try some more flavors, but I wouldn’t order these two again.
Update: I tried the Apple Banana and the Mango, Apple, Carrot and Peach and those were much better tasting.

Consistency: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 stars
Taste: ⭐️⭐️ 2/5 stars
Ingredients: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars
Price: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 start (average 0.27/ounce)

MORE BABY FOOD RECIPES YOUR BABY WILL LOVE:

7 Organic Starter Baby Purees for Under $20
15 Stage One Baby Purees (that actually taste delicious)
10 Super Starter Purees for Baby (Tips, Recipes and Starters Guide on How to Feed Baby)
5 Minute Mango Baby Food Puree
Roasted Butternut Squash + Thyme Baby Food Puree

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Tag @babyfoode on Instagram and hashtag it #babyfoode!

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rating of the top 10 Russian and foreign brands with reviews according to KP

Goods for children are always under special quality control. Including food. After all, food for a baby is not only a way to satisfy hunger, but also acquaintance with different tastes and a guarantee of healthy development (1). Today there are many different brands. Among them, we selected the best manufacturers of baby food, based on the reviews of parents and expert opinions.

Rating of the top 5 Russian baby food manufacturers according to KP

There are many popular brands among Russian manufacturers of baby food. Basically, various purees, juices, cereals and dairy products are presented on the market. There are also formulas for babies, but in smaller quantities. The popularity of food is due to high quality and rather low (in comparison with foreign analogues) price.

1. "Agusha"

"Agusha". Photo: yandex.market.ru

Agusha is one of the most popular manufacturers of baby food in Russia. The trademark appeared in 1992 and has a wide range of products for children of all ages. Newborns are offered dry milk formulas, babies from 4 months - a variety of purees, sour-milk products, water, older children - ready-made cereals (both dairy and non-dairy), juices, fruit drinks, compotes and fruit bars for a snack.

Thanks to the availability and variety of products, the manufacturer is confidently holding onto the Russian market. The safety and quality of Agushi is also confirmed by some neutral studies. For example, fruit cottage cheese, as well as kefir from this brand, received the highest rating from Roskachestvo (2, 3).

However, some parents are confused by the rather high price of certain items.

The main characteristics

Manufacturer	Pepsico Russia
Assortment	puree, Dry Milk mixes, porridge, fruit bars	, recommended ages	C Founded	1992

Pros and cons

There are mixtures in the product line; a wide range of.

High price for some items.

2. FrutoNyanya

FrutoNyanya. Photo: yandex.market.ru

FrutoNyanya baby food brand products are distinguished by a wide range and wide distribution in stores. Among the products of the brand you can find: a variety of cereals (with or without additives in the form of, for example, pieces of fruit), vegetable, fruit and meat purees, water, dairy products, juices, fruit drinks and nectars, snacks. For children prone to acute reactions to certain products, a special line of hypoallergenic food is offered.

Some of the brand's products have received high ratings from Roskachestvo, for example, biocurd, buckwheat porridge (4, 5).

Nutrition from this brand is designed for both the first complementary foods and for babies after a year. The composition contains salt and sugar, which are not recommended for children under one year old.

Main characteristics

Manufacturer	Progress
Assortment	purees, drinks, soups, snacks, cereals, snacks, water
Recommended age	from 0 months
Founded	2000

Pros and cons

There are hypoallergenic products.

May contain allergenic ingredients (eg sugar).

3. "Grandmother's Lukoshko"

"Grandmother's Lukoshko". Photo: yandex.market.

The manufacturer has been present on the Russian market since 1999. The main product is a variety of purees, which are available in glass jars and soft packs. For example, apple puree from this brand received the highest rating from Roskachestvo in all analysis criteria and was awarded the Quality Mark (6).

For older children, prepared meals, meatballs, healthy snacks such as fruit lozenges and biscuits are available. Also, "Babushkino Lukoshko" produces children's herbal teas. Salt in some products is not always welcomed by parents.

The main characteristics

manufacturer	"Sivma"
Assortment	puree, finished lunch, drinks, fruit pastures
Recommended age	from 4 months
Founded	1999

Pros and cons

Relatively low price in the segment; varied products.

There may be undesirable auxiliary components in the formulation (eg salt).

4. "Subject"

"Subject". Photo: yandex.market.ru

"Theme" offers products for children from 4 months to 3 years. The assortment includes a variety of meat, fish and vegetable purees, dairy products, ready meals and juices. But fruit purees are not presented. Packaging 一 is one of the distinguishing features of the brand. Thanks to special tin cans, the products are reliably protected from sunlight, which prolongs the shelf life. Also, many products of the brand are available in non-spill packages, so it is convenient to take them with you on the road. According to the results of the research, cottage cheese and juice "Theme" received the highest rating from Roskachestvo (7, 8).

5. Diaper

Diaper. Photo: market.yandex.ru

All ingredients for production are supplied from our own farm. The manufacturer claims that thanks to this, it is possible to set fairly low prices for products.

The potential buyer is offered fruit and vegetable purees (some with cottage cheese), soups, various juices and fruit drinks, as well as water. Some of the products are hypoallergenic. The composition does not contain unnecessary components: salt, sugar and preservatives. Meat and fish products are not represented in the product line.

The main characteristics

Manufacturer	"Gardens Podonya"
Assortment	puree, cream-soups, cereal
Recommended age	C 40 months of	° Cite.	2005

Pros and cons

Low price in the segment; simple and clear structure.

Lack of meat and fish products in the assortment.

Rating of the top 5 foreign manufacturers of baby food according to KP

There are many foreign companies that produce baby food on the Russian market. A century of history, many years of experience and a good reputation helps to supply the market with quality products, which are preferred by many parents.

1. Gerber

Gerber. Photo: yandex.

market.ru

The assortment of the American manufacturer includes products for children from 4 months. In supermarkets and online sites, you can find vegetable and fruit purees, cereals, healthy snacks, juices, and desserts (cottage cheese treats, smoothies, and others). Hypoallergenic food is also provided. For example, dairy-free buckwheat porridge of this brand is highly appreciated by Roskachestvo experts, who noted the safe composition of the product without dangerous and harmful substances, including no added sugars (9).

The manufacturer claims that the high prices are due to the corresponding quality, which is ensured by strict standards and adherence to technology.

The main characteristics

0022

Manufacturer	Nestle
Assortment	puree, porridge, snacks, desserts
Recommended	°	from 4 months	from 4 months	СО 4 months of	from 4 months of
Founded	1927

Pros and cons

Hypoallergenic products; natural composition; high quality.

High price in the baby food segment.

2. HiPP

HiPP. Photo: yandex.market.ru

German manufacturer's products are suitable for children from birth. Infants are offered hypoallergenic powdered milk formulas enriched with vitamins. For feeding - various purees, cream soups, cereals, and as a snack for older children - snacks and dairy desserts.

Meals are made exclusively from natural ingredients, without added sugar. The high price, according to the manufacturer, is due to the use of special technologies and high-quality products.

The main characteristics

9 months 9 months 9 months 9.0025

manufacturer	HIPP
Assortment	puree, cereals, drinks, snacks, dry dairy mixtures
Recommended age
Country of origin	Germany
Founded	1957

Pros and cons

Natural composition; There are baby formulas in the assortment.

High price of products.

3. Fleur Alpine

Fleur Alpine. Photo: yandex.market.ru

Natural baby food of premium quality. The range includes purees, cereals, cookies and juices - both regular and for children prone to allergies or intolerant to gluten. In addition to the usual products, the manufacturer offers olive oil (from 6 months) and sauces (from 3 years).

From time to time, the products of this brand come under the attention of experts from Roskachestvo and Roskontrol. For example, Three cereals porridge showed excellent results: a good composition with dietary fiber and no foreign impurities, the appropriate taste, color and smell (10), and buckwheat porridge meets the advanced standards of Roskachestvo, except for the increased protein content (11).

Not all products on the official website can be purchased in a regular store. However, they can be purchased on marketplaces.

High price; Not all brand products are easy to find on offline sites.

4. Semper

Semper. Photo: yandex.market.ru

The Swedish company offers a wide range of products for children of all ages. Dry milk formulas are suitable for newborns, and there are even specialized ones that are best used for constipation. Some of them are designed for babies older than six months. For crumbs older than 4 months, the manufacturer offers a variety of vegetable, meat, fish and fruit purees, cereals, juices and children's tea with vitamins. In addition to the usual products for children, there are wellings — oatmeal and multi-cereal porridges with natural additives, cookies, and meatballs.

Roskachestvo examined this brand's applesauce and, apart from its high carbohydrate content (higher than indicated on the package), found no drawbacks (12). In addition, some purees contain starch.

The main characteristics

° 0 months0025

Manufacturer	Hero Group
Assortment	Dairy mixtures, puree, cereals, drinks, cookies
Recommended age	° 0 months
Country of origin	Sweden
Founded	1963

Pros and cons

There are mixtures in the product line interesting combinations of flavors.

High price in the segment; the presence of starch in the puree; the product according to BJU may differ from that stated on the package.

5. Heinz

Heinz. Photo: yandex.market.ru

American food company offers a wide range of products at affordable prices. There are fruit, vegetable and meat purees, cereals (dairy and non-dairy), soups and drinks. As a healthy snack for babies from 5 months, special cookies are suitable, and fruit and cream puddings will be a great dessert for older children. You can also find a special vermicelli that will suit crumbs from 6 months. The manufacturer's porridges received the highest rating from Roskachestvo (13). However, some products contain sugar and starch, which many parents of babies do not approve of.

The main characteristics

C C C 9 months .

Manufacturer	Heinz
Assortment	puree, soups, vermichel, pudding, cookies, tea
Recommended age	USA
Year of Manufacture	1869

Pros and Cons

Product contains prebiotics; affordable price in the segment of baby food from foreign manufacturers.

Some products contain sugar and starch.

How to choose the right baby food

A child's menu may differ from another baby's diet, not only because of age, but also due to health conditions (for example, a tendency to constipation or a dairy allergy) and personal preferences. However, the first thing to consider is age. It’s also important to keep in mind that your baby’s diet should be free of added salt and sugar (14). Certain positions deserve some explanation.

Milk formulas

Designed for feeding babies. In fact, they are designed to become an alternative to mother's milk. For the full development of the crumbs, it is necessary that vitamins and trace elements are present in the composition.

Canned puree

Introduced from 4 months. There are fruit, vegetable, meat and fish options. Combinations are also possible. For the first feeding, it is recommended to choose one-component purees from vegetables or fruits.

Porridges

Porridges, as well as mashed potatoes, are recommended to be offered to a baby from 4 months. Thanks to the special processing of cereals, baby porridge is easily boiled, which significantly saves cooking time.

Nectars, juices

You can give your baby juice or nectar from the age of 4 months. As long as it doesn't contain sugar. If available, it is better to wait at least up to 1 year.

Reviews of doctors about manufacturers of baby food

一 Baby food is becoming an object of special attention on the part of the state and parents, 一 says pediatrician Ekaterina Mikhaltsova . - The main advantages of industrial products and dishes are ease of use, balanced composition and minimal cooking time. However, you must strictly follow the age recommendations and cooking rules indicated on the labels.

- Dairy products and baby food in particular are complex production products where quality control is essential at all stages. Therefore, it is better to trust large manufacturers, - explains sanitary doctor Nikolai Dubinin . - It is important to pay attention to the composition and, before offering the child, taste the food yourself. In general, doctors agree that commercially produced baby food is no worse than home-cooked. And some are even better, due to supplements in the form of vitamins and trace elements.

Food value of the portion

328

kcal

13%

Belts

12 g

Fat

24 g

Carbohydrates

16 g

% of the day

3 %

5 %

1 %

is based on your age, weight and active. It is a reference information.

0003 100 g

tomato paste

4 tbsp. l.

bay leaf

2 pcs.

sunflower oil

3 tbsp.

l. Add a Photo0003

Step-by-step recipe with photo

Rinse barley well and soak in cold water overnight.

Rinse pork ribs in cold water, place in a saucepan, add 2.5 liters of water and put on medium heat. When the first broth boils, drain it, transfer the meat to clean water and bring to a boil again. Then reduce the flame to the weakest and cook the meat for about 40 minutes.

In the meantime, peel and finely chop the onions and carrots (carrots can be grated on a coarse grater, but I like to chop into cubes). Cucumbers cut into medium cubes.

Fry the vegetables in a small amount of vegetable oil in a frying pan until golden brown. Add cucumbers and simmer over low heat covered for another 10 minutes.

Heat the tomato juice (or tomato paste) in another pan, add bay leaf, allspice, salt to taste (mind the salty taste of cucumbers!).

When the broth is cooked, remove the meat, remove it from the bone and cut into small pieces.

Sprout baby food reviews

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Sprout Baby Food In Congressional Reports

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Does Sprout Baby Food Contain Arsenic?

Second Congressional Report

Is There A Lawsuit Against Baby Food?

HBBF Comprehensive Food Safety Test

Sprout Baby Food in HBBF Study

Consumer Reports Food Safety Test

What Is The Safest Baby Food?

Preparing Healthier Alternatives At Home

Other Companies In The Congressional Reports

Nurture, Inc. (HappyBABY, Happy Family Organics, and HappyTOTS)

Campbell Soup Company (Plum Organics) Results

Gerber Products Company

Hain Celestial Group, Inc.

Walmart Inc. (Parent’s Choice)

Beech-Nut Nutrition Company (Beech-Nut)

Buying Guide: 9 Best Organic Baby Food Pouches 2022

Mama Bear – Winner of

Did you make this recipe?

rating of the top 10 Russian and foreign brands with reviews according to KP

Rating of the top 5 Russian baby food manufacturers according to KP

1. "Agusha"

The main characteristics

Pros and cons

2. FrutoNyanya

Main characteristics

Pros and cons

3. "Grandmother's Lukoshko"

The main characteristics

Pros and cons

4. "Subject"

5. Diaper

The main characteristics

Pros and cons

Rating of the top 5 foreign manufacturers of baby food according to KP

1. Gerber

The main characteristics

Pros and cons

2. HiPP

The main characteristics

Pros and cons

3. Fleur Alpine

4. Semper

The main characteristics

Pros and cons

5. Heinz

The main characteristics

Pros and Cons

How to choose the right baby food

Milk formulas

Canned puree

Porridges

Nectars, juices

Reviews of doctors about manufacturers of baby food

Popular questions and answers

How to choose food for the first feeding?

Which of the Russian manufacturers should I pay attention to?

What composition should healthy baby food contain?

Food value of the portion

Step-by-step recipe with photo

Learn more

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