Contribution of Infant Food Pouches and Other Commercial Infant Foods to the Diets of Infants: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Although considerable concern has been expressed about the nutritional implications of infant food pouches, how they impact infant diet has not been examined. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the contribution of infant food pouches specifically, and commercial infant foods generally, to nutrient intake from complementary foods in infants. Methods: Two multiple-pass 24-h diet recall data were collected from 645 infants (6.0–11.9 mo) in the First Foods and Young Foods New Zealand studies. Detailed information was obtained on commercial infant food use, including pouches, and nutrient composition was calculated through recipe modeling. Results: The diverse sample (46.1% female; 21.1% Māori, 14.1% Asian, and 54.6% European) was aged (SD) 8.4 (0.9) mo. More than one-quarter of households had high socioeconomic deprivation. Almost half (45.3%) of infants consumed an infant food pouch on ≥1 recall day [mean (SD), 1.3 (0.9) times/d], obtaining 218 (124) kJ of energy on each eating occasion. Comparable numbers for all commercial infant and toddler foods (CITFs) were 78.0%, contributing 2.2 (1.6) and 140 (118) kJ of energy. Infant food pouches provided 25.5% of the total energy from complementary foods in those infants who consumed pouches on the recall days but just 11% in all infants. Median percentage contribution of infant food pouches to nutrient intake from complementary foods in consumers ranged from <1% (added sugars and retinol) to >30% (carbohydrate, total sugars, fiber, vitamin A, and vitamin C). CITF contributed 21.4% of energy from complementary foods for infant consumers, with median percentage contribution ranging from 0.1% (retinol) to 40.3% (iron). Conclusions: Infant food pouches make relatively small contributions to energy intake in infants but are important sources of carbohydrates, fiber, and vitamins A, C, and B-6. Almost half of the total sugars consumed from complementary foods is provided by these pouches. This trial was registered at the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry as ACTRN12620000459921.