What is the best organic baby food
12 Best Organic Baby Food Brands of 2023
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As a busy parent, time isn’t always on your side. Making baby food from scratch can be stressful and time consuming, especially when it comes to appeasing picky eaters. Luckily, there are several pre-made organic baby food options that take the guesswork out of feeding your child.
Since the National Organic Program of the USDA has developed strict rules and regulations that govern USDA certified organic foods, those carrying the USDA organic seal cannot contain GMOs or any artificial preservatives, colors or flavors. And certain studies show that organic fruits and vegetables have significantly more antioxidant polyphenols than conventionally grown produce. Encouraging an abundance and variety of fruits and vegetables at all ages is key, but organically grown produce can provide some additional benefits without the GMOs or preservatives.
And speaking of ages, our nutrition experts point out that baby food stages aren’t standardized but there are general guidelines that many brands utilize. Keep in mind that every baby develops differently, and some babies are ready for stage 2 before they are 7 months old, while others may not be ready until they are closer to 10 months old. Talk to your pediatrician to help guide you throughout the process, and remember that it’s important for babies to advance through the stages on their own time.
As a general rule of thumb, Stage 1 foods generally consist of a single ingredient purees and are ideal for babies ages 4-6 months. Stage 2 foods are best for babies ages 6-9 months and start to incorporate more than one ingredient. Stage 3 foods are for babies 9-12 months, and they feature a lot of different textures and new flavors. Stage 4 foods are for babies at least one year of age and typically indicate that table food can be introduced.
A note on heavy metals in baby food: If you’ve heard about concerns regarding heavy metals in baby food, it’s important to know that they are naturally occurring and enter the food supply from natural sources like soil, water and air.
It is nearly impossible to completely avoid these metals, but parents can minimize the risk by feeding their baby a variety of foods. Opt for grain-based cereals and snacks instead of rice-based options and be sure to limit fruit juices. Our experts say you can and should keep giving carrots and sweet potatoes because they contain important nutrients, but given that they grow in the ground, they may naturally contain higher levels of heavy metals so be sure to serve them along with other fruits and vegetables.
To make sure you're giving your child the very best, we put several brands to the test through a panel of kids, moms and editors to see which organic baby food products are the best for your baby. We’ve also included information on what measures each brand is taking regarding minimizing heavy metals in their products. Here are the best organic baby foods:
Once Upon a Farm
Organic Fruit & Veggie Blend Baby Sampler
Once Upon A Farm
SHOP AT AMAZON
Cerebelly
Organic Baby Puree Pouches
Cerebelly
SHOP AT AMAZON
Happy Family Organics
Pouches & Jars
SHOP AT AMAZON
Holle USA
Organic Fruit Puree
Holle USA
SHOP AT AMAZON
Plum
Organics Pouches
SHOP AT AMAZON
Serenity Kids
Organic Savory Veggies and Ethically Sourced Meats Variety Pack
Serenity Kids
$34 AT AMAZON
ALDI
Little Journey Pouches
SHOP AT ALDI
Yumi
Blends
Yumi
SHOP AT HELLOYUMI.
COM
Amara
Organic Baby Food Pouches
Amara
SHOP AT AMAZON
Little Spoon
Little Spoon
This subscription-based baby food service brings a unique twist to the traditional baby food we see on the market. Our nutrition pros appreciate that the organic baby blends feature nutritious ingredient combinations including chia seeds, buckwheat, pumpkin seed and hemp seeds. Plus, they offer a line of small packs called boosters that act as nutritional supplements to mix into your baby’s food that our mommy testers loved. You can select from four different types of boosters that are carefully sourced with vitamins, minerals, probiotics and organic produce.
Their line of Babyblends purees are now Clean Label Project verified, which tests for over 400 industrial environmental contaminants including heavy metals and more.
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Gerber
Organic Pouches & Freshful Start
SHOP AT AMAZON
Tiny Organics
Tiny Organics
These organic baby and toddler meals are conveniently delivered to your door and are packed with super nutrients.
Our nutrition pros and testers both love that Tiny products are free from the big 8 allergens. Curated by a team of chef and neonatal nutritionists, the meals are made fresh and shipped frozen. Their new Tiny Beginnings product line has six different plant-based baby meal options to choose from and is created for 4-8-month-olds.
When sourcing ingredients, Tiny's team shared with GH that they require the farmers to provide heavy metal tests on the lots from the year prior and when they harvest the new lot. The team also does internal lab tests on specific ingredients to make sure it is within the brand's specifications. All ingredients are all sustainably sourced within the US from local farms to reduce carbon footprint and are USDA-certified organic.
SUBSCRIBE NOW
How we tested
Registered dietitians in the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab evaluated dozens of baby food products, specifically analyzing ingredient lists and nutrition labels.
Our nutrition experts prioritized USDA Certified Organic options made with wholesome ingredients and free of artificial preservatives, colors or flavors. We also investigated efforts that the brands are making to minimize heavy metal exposure in their products. In addition to expert analysis, we recruited a panel of parents and little ones to provide real-life feedback on quality, variety, portion sizes, convenience, packaging and more. We’re confident that our top picks are the best organic baby food options to provide exceptional nourishment and quality.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
As deputy director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab for the past two years, Stefani Sassos, MS, RDN, CSO, CDN, NASM-CPT handles all nutrition content, product testing and evaluation. She stays up to date on the latest research to provide evidence-based reporting on all things diet and nutrition, and she also runs large-scale tests and analysis for products ranging from protein bars to supplements.
She has a master's degree in clinical nutrition from New York University and has been a registered dietitian for six years, working in the clinical setting prior to Good Housekeeping and obtaining advanced credentials and board certifications in the nutrition field. As a new mom to a 6-month-old baby girl, Stefani is personally invested in thoroughly vetting and testing baby food products for her family and yours.
Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., C.S.O., C.D.N., NASM-CPT Nutrition Lab Deputy Director Stefani (she/her) is a registered dietitian, a NASM-certified personal trainer and the deputy director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab, where she handles all nutrition-related content, testing and evaluation.
The Best Organic Baby Foods of 2022
Feeding
written by JACLYN VORAN
The Everymom’s product selections are curated by the editorial team.
If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely love.
It’s time to start your baby on solid foods—congrats! You and your baby have reached a big milestone.
If you’re anything like us, you may feel overwhelmed at where to start. It seems that everyone has an opinion on what’s best for babies when it comes to, well, just about everything—and starting solid foods is no exception.
Whether you’re taking the puree approach, diving straight into baby-led weaning, or some combination of the two, the most important thing is starting your baby off with a healthy and balanced diet. This means a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products (that don’t include milk since the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastmilk or formula until 12 months before offering them whole milk).
With so many baby food options out there today, it’s easy to get confused and to wonder what’s best or if there’s really any difference.
Is Organic Baby Food Actually Better?
Nutritionally, no. When it comes to chemicals and pesticides, yes.
Research does not suggest that organic food provides major nutritional benefits over non-organic food, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). However, organic baby foods may have lower levels of certain pesticides and other chemicals, the AAP says.
The one thing all experts agree on is that offering your baby a wide variety of healthy options, whether they’re organic or not, is what matters most.
When Should I Start Giving My Baby Solids?
Most experts recommend waiting until your baby is 6 months old to start solids.
The AAP advises that you make sure your baby is physically ready for solids—they should be able to hold their head up and sit in a high chair or infant seat with good head control.
Another sign of readiness? They open their mouth when food comes their way or when they watch you eating.
They may even reach for your food.
What Kind of Food Should I Give My Baby First?
To prevent choking, it’s best to start babies on soft or pureed food. Initially, you may want to limit foods to a single ingredient at a time for a few days to watch for any reactions before introducing a new one. After a couple months, your baby’s diet should include lots of different types of food, including breastmilk and/or formula, fruits, vegetables, meat, cereal, eggs, and fish.
Our Favorite Organic Baby Food Brands
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TOP-10 best baby food manufacturers
How to choose a baby food manufacturer
Quality nutrition is the key to your child's health and the formation of proper eating habits.
Therefore, when choosing a manufacturer, pay attention to the following criteria:
- Price category. In pursuit of quality, parents choose the most expensive products for their baby, forgetting that the demand for them will only grow every month. Therefore, it is important to choose the best price for you, which you are willing to pay daily. nine0008
- Country of manufacture. The quality of the goods produced depends on the country in which the products for the preparation of baby food are grown. And also in different countries there are different quality control and acceptable standards for the content of a particular substance. Technical capabilities also play an important role in production, for example, not all domestic manufacturers are able to produce medical nutrition and formula.
- Assortment. It is important that the brand's product line contains as many products as possible. Since the positive reaction of the child's body to a certain product indicates that it will be the same for all the others.
And a large selection will not force you to look for another good manufacturer, because baby food is designed for children from birth to three years. nine0008 - Foundation time. The duration of a company's existence on the market testifies to the quality of its products. Consumer loyalty is earned over the years. Therefore, brands with a worldwide reputation are more trusted.
In order to help you make the right choice, we have prepared for you a review of the best baby food brands, both foreign and domestic. And to make a comparison and choose the best one from them, everyone should be on their own.
Useful selections
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it obligatory to feed my baby with one brand of food?
No, not necessarily. But choosing products from the range of the same manufacturer, you reduce the risk of allergies and other side effects. If your baby has come up with the nutrition of a certain brand, then you should not experiment with others.
Why is industrial food better than homemade food?
The quality of the original products is strictly controlled in production, and you can be sure of the quality of homemade only if you have grown it yourself. Also, the production complies with the norms of the content of useful substances in the product. For example, pure milk is not used, it is split into components, removing excess fat and some proteins. nine0005
Another advantage of factory-made products is that regardless of the time of year, your child's diet will be varied. And many of the goods that the baby needs cannot be prepared at home.
What raw materials do manufacturers use?
Most brands of baby food work with suppliers of various raw materials, and do not grow themselves. Some companies claim to control the process of planting and growing fruits and vegetables at suppliers. They also request a soil sample for self-checking. nine0005
But be that as it may, the products entering the production undergo a thorough control for GMOs, antibiotics and other impurities.
The quality of products is monitored not only by the company itself, but also by Rospotrebnadzor. Goods entering Russia from abroad are also controlled for compliance with the standards for the content of individual components adopted in the country.
Ask your question
Rating of baby food manufacturers
10. Kabrita
- Goat milk products
- Country: Holland
- Rating (2021): 8
Kabrita products belong to the premium segment. It appeared on the Russian market recently, only 8 years ago, but is already among the top brands. The range of the company is small. All products are made on the basis of an adapted milk formula from goat's milk and are presented in three categories: mixtures, cereals and purees. Suitable for children from birth, as well as for newborns allergic to cow's milk protein. Buyers note a soft creamy taste that kids really like. nine0005
- Advantages
- With goat milk
- Natural composition
- Hypoallergenic product
- Suitable for children from birth
- disadvantages
- Price
- Assortment
- No fermented milk products
9.
Gerber - Best snacks for kids (bars and snacks)
- Country: USA
- Ranking (2021): 8
American manufacturer, on the market for almost 100 years. Deservedly has good reviews from moms around the world. The company's products are represented on the Russian market by more than 80 items. These include cereals, various purees, juices, cookies, bars and snacks. The company does not produce mixtures, which means that the products are only suitable for children who are ready for the first feeding. The main assortment of this brand is canned mashed potatoes, there are no problems with the choice, but you will have to look for other products. This is especially true for wheat-oat snacks and rice-wheat stars, which are a feature of the brand. nine0005
- Advantages
- Snacks
- "clean" composition
- Vitamins and minerals in the composition
- Hypoallergenic products
- disadvantages
- Price
- No fermented milk products and formula
- Not always available in the store
8.
Tyoma - The best baby milk food manufacturer in Russia
- Country: Russia
- Rating (2021): 8.5
Since 1999, a Russian manufacturer that has been producing baby food for babies from six months. The main specialization of the company is dairy products: cottage cheese, biolact, milk porridge, baby milk and yogurt. The range also includes juices, fruit and vegetable purees, meat and vegetable purees. The company does not use glass jars. Meat purees are packed in cans, which extends their shelf life, and the rest of the purees are sold in pouches, which are convenient to take with you. nine0005
- Advantages
- Price
- Assortment of fermented milk products
- Packaging
- Quality raw materials
- disadvantages
- No formula and cereals
- Small product line
- Not suitable for children from birth
7. Heinz
- The best assortment of cereals
- Country: USA
- Rating (2021): 8.
5
The Heinz brand is represented on the Russian market by the following products: cereals, puree, vermicelli, biscuits, tea, puddings. Among all manufacturers, the brand has the most diverse range of cereals: dairy, whole grain, low-allergenic, dairy-free, vegetable, drinkable, multicomponent and for grown-up children. The latter are distinguished by a larger grinding that needs to be boiled, which helps the child move from baby food to the general table. The product line also includes meat and fish dishes. nine0005
- Advantages
- Budget brand
- Assortment
- Ready meals
- Products for older babies
- disadvantages
- No mixture
- No fermented milk products
- Sugar often found in the composition
6. Nutricia
- Best baby formula manufacturer
- Country: Holland
- Ranking (2021): 8.5
Multi-brand manufacturer includes such brands as: Nutrilon, Malyutka, Malysh and Nutricia.
The company specializes in the production of canned milk formulas of various price categories and a wide range of applications. For example, hypoallergenic, sour-milk, lactose-free, anti-reflux and many others. The company also produces cereals, vegetable and fruit purees.
- Advantages
- Variety
- Assortment
- Suitable for babies from birth
- Hypoallergenic
- disadvantages
- Small product line
- No ready meals
- No dairy products
5. Agusha
- The widest range
- Country: Russia
- Rating (2021): 9
A Russian manufacturer that has been presenting its products on the market for almost 40 years. Under the Agusha brand, the widest range of baby food is produced, with the exception of powdered milk mixtures and ready meals. Not so long ago, mini breads and fruit bars appeared on the market, intended for a snack for children older than a year.
There is also a new triangular packaging with a tube for fruit and berry purees. Among fermented milk products, fermented baked milk can be distinguished, which is not available from other manufacturers. nine0005
- Advantages
- Inexpensive
- Assortment
- Baby products
- Packaging
- disadvantages
- No mix
- No ready meals
- Ingredients not always perfect
4. Frutonyanya
- The best Russian manufacturer, price / quality ratio
- Country: Russia
- Rating (2021): 9
The company is the leader of the domestic baby food market. A wide range of products includes more than 250 items, with the exception of milk formula. All taste components included in the nutrition are familiar to the Russian consumer. From ready meals, the manufacturer offers soups and liquid cereals, and from fermented milk products - baby milk, biolact, cocktails, yogurt and cottage cheese.
Among the line of meat products stand out meat purees "Halal" that meet the standards of Islam. There is dry food, but not much, mostly porridge. nine0005
- Advantages
- Wide assortment
- Price/quality ratio
- Ready meals
- Dairy products available
- disadvantages
- No mix
- Not always perfect composition
- Not suitable for children from birth
3. Fleur Alpine
- Producer of cereals based on goat and cow milk
- Country: Germany
- Rating (2021): 9.5
The company has been presenting its products on the market since 2008. The natural composition of products involves the preservation of the natural content of vitamins and trace elements in the product. The company's product selection, in addition to cereals and purees, includes cookies, bars, crackers, drinks, pasta and, notably, butter. I would also like to note that cereals are made on cow, goat and with no milk.
Many products are suitable for children only from the age of three, for example, pomegranate juice and chocolate chip cookies. nine0005
- Advantages
- Natural composition
- Assortment
- Producer of cereals based on goat and cow milk
- Baby oil
- disadvantages
- Price
- No dairy products
- No formulas
2. Semper
- "Adult" dishes for baby food
- Country: Sweden
- Rating (2021): 10
The Swedish premium manufacturer Semper has been present on the Russian market for 20 years. During this time, the brand has earned loyalty and trust from customers. The company is included in the list of the most popular manufacturers of baby food in the world. Products are presented for both newborns and older children. The manufacturer does not offer the most diverse menu that is familiar to the Russian consumer.
On the other hand, the assortment contains components and even individual dishes that you will not find in other companies. For example, among the individual components - orange, strawberry, mango, and among the dishes - spaghetti bolognese, Italian pasta with trout and all kinds of stews. Also presented is an exclusively Swedish product - walling. nine0005
- Advantages
- Ready Meals
- Best Ingredients
- Rare Ingredients
- All Ages
- disadvantages
- Price
- There are no fermented milk products in the assortment
- Not available everywhere
1. Hipp
- Best foreign brand, strict quality control from soil to finished product
- Country: Germany
- Ranking (2021): 10
The German company, founded in 1899, first introduced the concept of "organic" in relation to baby food. Raw materials for production are grown on organic farms and plantations.
Strict quality control starts with the soil and seeds. Among the ingredients that make up the products, white carrots, parsnips and tomatoes stand out. They are rarely seen from Russian manufacturers. The rich assortment of the company does not include fermented milk products. The finished menu is presented in the form of liquid cereals, soups, meat and fish dishes with the addition of vegetables and cereals or pasta. nine0005
- Advantages
- Quality organic ingredients
- Ready meals
- Assortment
- Strict quality control
- disadvantages
- Price
- No fermented milk products
- Not available everywhere
What is organic baby food? Hipp Organic Baby Food
The birth of a child can be called without exaggeration the most significant and joyful event in the family. However, in addition to joy, this event also brings natural troubles - the baby must be provided with everything necessary for normal growth and development, create comfortable conditions for him, and protect him from injuries and infections.
And one of the most important questions that arise from the very first days of a child's life is how to properly organize his nutrition. nine0408
Why is proper nutrition so important in the first years of a baby's life?
As you know, the most important components of the health, intellectual and creative abilities of the baby are laid in the first three years of life. All body systems are formed for independent functioning: respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, central nervous system, etc. That is why it is so important to build a proper and balanced diet for a baby at this age. Lack of any nutrients can cause growth retardation, physical and mental development, as well as a violation of the formation of the bone skeleton and teeth. nine0005
In this regard, the child's diet should contain all the necessary nutrients: proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals in an amount appropriate for a certain age of the child. And this is not the only requirement. In addition to nutritional value and balance, baby food should not contain any impurities that are dangerous to his health, such as pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, industrial waste, heavy metals, microbial toxins and many others.
After all, a child's body is much more sensitive than an adult's body to any harmful influences - its defense systems are still very weak, the neutralization and elimination of toxic substances are slow, immunity is just beginning to develop. And, finally, children's food should be simply tasty so that the baby eats it with pleasure. nine0005
How to start complementary foods and how to choose a safe diet?
Comments Elena Reztsova, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor, pediatrician of the highest category, head of the clinic "Juno Medica" (Moscow):
"The first, earliest complementary foods are fruit and vegetable purees. They are best absorbed the gastrointestinal tract of the baby, while preparing him for the adoption of other products.At about 7 months of age, cottage cheese and other children's dairy products, as well as meat in the form of meat and meat and vegetable puree are gradually added to the child's diet.Gradually, the amount of complementary foods is increased, reducing frequency of breastfeeding, and eventually completely abandon it.
The scheme for the introduction of complementary foods and their composition must be discussed with the pediatrician observing the child.0005
From the moment of the introduction of complementary foods, a natural question arises: how to choose products that are complete in composition and free from harmful impurities? The best baby food is food that consists of environmentally friendly, natural products. That is, products that are grown in ecologically clean conditions: on ecologically clean lands, only with the help of natural growing methods, without the use of artificial fertilizers. Nutrition made using bio-organic technology."
How is organic food created?
Bio-organic production is aimed at ensuring that the resulting products are environmentally friendly, natural and full of nutrients. To achieve this, BIO products are produced and processed under certain conditions.
- The fields where vegetables and fruits are grown for the production of organic baby food are located far from highways and industrial zones.
nine0008 - The soil on them is regularly checked for the absence of artificial fertilizers.
- Plant seeds are not chemically treated.
- Do not use herbicides or insecticides. Weed control is carried out exclusively by hand, and to control insect pests in the field area, their natural enemies - birds and beneficial insects - are bred.
- Plant growth is not stimulated by chemical fertilizers and hormones. This allows you to get an environmentally friendly product. nine0008
- Harvest timing is carefully controlled to ensure that fruits are not underripe or overripe. Vegetables, fruits, cereals are sorted by hand.
- Water is taken from natural environmentally friendly sources and purified without the use of chemicals.
Products made using this technology are healthy and absolutely safe.
Who produces organic baby food (BIO products)?
For more than 50 years, the German company HiPP has been using sustainably grown BIO products to produce baby food.
nine0005
Russian mothers now also have the opportunity to choose natural, environmentally friendly baby food for their baby. And you can start feeding your baby with HiPP First Baby Apple puree.
"HiPP baby's first apple" is recommended to be included in the baby's diet from the 4th month.
Fruits are an indispensable part of a child's diet, as they are a natural source of vitamins, trace elements and minerals. A green apple is especially useful - it is rich in vitamin C. In addition, it is easily digested and does not cause allergies. Scientific studies confirm that fruits and vegetables grown naturally without the use of artificial fertilizers contain more antioxidants, vitamin C and 12-30% less nitrates*. nine0005
HiPP Baby's First Apple is free of sugar, flavors, colors, preservatives, milk protein, gluten and modified starch. It consists of apples grown in environmentally friendly conditions without the use of artificial fertilizers.
