More parents than ever are turning to ultra-processed foods (UPFs) for convenience. From baby food pouches to melt-in-the-mouth snacks, the baby food market is filled with products that promise easy feeding. But recent research suggests that relying too much on these soft, processed foods might have unintended consequences—especially for jaw development and dental health.
Market studies show a sharp increase in baby UPFs. Sales of baby food pouches, for example, have skyrocketed by 900% since 2010 in the US according to the LA Times, reflecting a growing shift away from traditional home-cooked meals. While these products are marketed as nutritious, many contain hidden sugars, refined starches, and artificial additives—which may affect more than just diet for your baby.
What Are Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs)?
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are foods that have gone through multiple industrial processes, often containing added sugars, modified oils, artificial flavorings, and emulsifiers. The NOVA classification system, developed in 2010, categorises foods based on their level of processing, with UPFs being the highest level in the classification.
The NOVA classification groups foods based on the level of industrial processing they undergo, rather than just their nutrient content. This system helps identify foods that have been altered significantly from their natural state.
The Four NOVA Food Groups
1. Unprocessed or Minimally Processed Foods
These are foods in their natural form or those that have only been slightly altered through simple processes like drying, freezing, boiling, or roasting.
- Examples: Fresh fruits, vegetables, plain meats, eggs, and whole grains.
2. Processed Culinary Ingredients
These include ingredients that are extracted from natural foods and are used to prepare and season meals. They are typically used in home cooking rather than eaten alone.
- Examples: Oils, butter, sugar, salt, honey.
3. Processed Foods
These foods are made by combining Group 1 foods with Group 2 ingredients for preservation or enhanced taste. They usually have a few added ingredients but still resemble their original form.
- Examples: Canned vegetables, cheese, homemade bread, plain yogurt.
4. Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs)
These foods undergo multiple industrial processes and contain ingredients not commonly found in home kitchens, such as flavor enhancers, emulsifiers, artificial colors, and preservatives. They are often designed to be hyper-palatable, convenient, and have a long shelf life, but they may lack the texture and nutrients needed for proper chewing and jaw development.
- Examples: Baby food pouches, packaged snacks, commercial biscuits, sugary cereals.
How Common Are UPFs (Ultra-Processed Foods) in Baby Food?
UPFs are now widespread in baby and toddler diets. A recent Mintel survey (2022) found that:
- Nearly a third of baby foods sold in the UK are classified as UPFs. Only 4% of baby snack foods are minimally processed.
- Up to 73% of baby biscuits and rusks on the market are ultra-processed.
- More than one-third of parents with infants under six months give their baby commercial meals, finger foods, or drinks daily, contrary to global health advice that they should discourage snacking.
- By the age of one, two-thirds of parents purchase and give commercial finger foods at least once a day.
This shift toward UPFs means babies are being exposed to highly processed ingredients early in life, which can affect their dietary habits, chewing development, and long-term health.
Effect of long-term UPFs consumption for toddlers
1. UPFs Can Disrupt Jaw and Oral Development
Babies need to chew and gnaw on solid foods to strengthen their jaw muscles to develop roomier jaws, which support proper teeth alignment. However, UPFs are often:
- Soft and dissolvable, requiring little to no chewing.
- Highly palatable, meaning babies may prefer them over natural foods.
- Lacking in texture, which is essential for oral motor skill development.
A recent study in Spain shows that babies who consume fewer textured foods may develop smaller jaw structures, increasing the likelihood of crowded teeth, speech issues, and orthodontic problems later in life.
2. UPFs Can Lead to Poor Eating Habits
Early exposure to highly processed baby snacks may create long-term preferences for sweet, salty, and highly palatable foods. Research suggests that infants exposed to high UPF diets may struggle with developing healthy eating habits, making them more prone to fussy eating, cravings, and overeating later in childhood.
3. UPFs May Contain Hidden Additives and Harmful Ingredients
Many baby UPFs contain:
- Added sugars (fructose, maltodextrin, juice concentrates)
- Modified oils (hydrogenated or interesterified oils)
- Artificial flavor enhancers (monosodium glutamate, emulsifiers)
These ingredients may not support proper growth and development and can negatively impact the gut microbiota, digestion, and metabolic health. The consumption of UPFs has been associated with disruptions in the development of taste preferences and dietary habits, as well as potential nutrient imbalances.
What Can Parents Do?
While ultra-processed foods are convenient, small changes in how we introduce and choose foods for our babies can make a big difference in their oral development, long-term eating habits, and overall health.
1. Be More Mindful of Ingredients
- Read labels carefully and look out for hidden sugars, artificial additives, and processed oils in ultra-processed foods.
- Choose baby foods with simple, whole ingredients and minimal industrial processing.
- Avoid snacks that dissolve instantly, as they don’t encourage chewing.
2. Offer More Natural, Home-Prepared Foods
- Whenever possible, introduce textured, home-cooked foods rather than relying on packaged purees and pouches which are commonly ultra-processed.
- Serve a variety of soft-cooked vegetables, strips of meat, and whole grains to expose babies to different chewing challenges.
- Provide solid foods prepared in age-appropriate ways.
3. Encourage Jaw Development with Hard Munchables
Preparing the right textures for your baby can be challenging, especially when it comes to firmer foods that require chewing. However, babies need exposure to harder textures to strengthen their jaw muscles, support oral development, and prepare for eating a wider variety of solid foods.
One way to provide this without the pressure of eating is by offering hard munchables. These are solid food items that are not meant to be consumed but instead used for oral exploration and chewing practice. Hard munchables give babies a chance to exercise their jaws, develop better chewing coordination, and prepare for real food textures before they fully transition to solids.
Some safe hard munchables include:
- Raw carrot sticks (not baby carrots)
- Celery sticks
- Mango pits
How Bickiepegs Teething Biscuits Help
Bickiepegs Teething Biscuits are specially designed hard munchables, created to support oral exploration and jaw development. Unlike normal hard munchables and your usual baby snacks, they are safe to bite and chew on, allowing babies to exercise their jaw muscles properly. They are NOT for eating but for the sole purpose of oral exploration and chewing exercises for your baby.
- Made from just wheat and water, they are minimally processed with no added sugar or salt, ensuring they don’t interfere with a baby’s natural diet.
- Their firm texture makes them safe to bite on, encouraging babies to strengthen their chewing muscles naturally.
- They are best offered before mealtimes to help babies prepare for eating by engaging their appetite.
As with any hard munchable, adult supervision is required at all times to ensure safe chewing experiences. By incorporating teething biscuits and other appropriate hard munchables, you can help your baby build the oral skills they need for a lifetime of healthy eating.
Worried About Your Baby’s Jaw Development?
Support stronger jaw muscles and better chewing skills with Bickiepegs Teething Biscuits—a minimally processed solution designed for safe oral exploration, with no added sugar or salt.
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