Ultra-Processed Baby Food: A Growing Public Health Emergency

Ultra-Processed Baby Food: A Growing Public Health Emergency

A look into ultra-processed children's food, and the huge benefits of feeding your child Organic produce. As well as some tips on the best Organic meat for children and easy recipes.

Organic Buttermilk Chicken Wings Reading Ultra-Processed Baby Food: A Growing Public Health Emergency 4 minutes Next 5 Cost Affective Rolled Beef Brisket Recipes

Recent research has sent shockwaves through the world of child nutrition, with findings revealing that 87% of baby and toddler snacks on supermarket shelves are now classified as ultra-processed. This sobering statistic has led many public health experts to label the rise in ultra-processed baby food a public health emergency — and for good reason.

But what does “ultra-processed” really mean?

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are products that have been significantly altered from their original state through industrial processing. This usually involves ingredients you wouldn't find in a home kitchen — think emulsifiers, artificial flavours, preservatives, stabilisers, and refined sugars. These foods are often stripped of natural nutrients and dressed up with additives to enhance taste, shelf life, and appearance.

For babies and toddlers, whose developing systems are particularly vulnerable, this heavy reliance on UPFs can be especially concerning. Studies link regular consumption of ultra-processed food with a higher risk of obesity, digestive issues, behavioural challenges, and poor dietary habits later in life.


A Natural Alternative: Baby-Led Weaning & Whole Organic Foods

The good news? There’s a simpler, safer, and far more nourishing route — baby-led weaning using real, whole foods.

Baby-led weaning encourages babies to self-feed age-appropriate foods right from the family table, avoiding reliance on pouches, jars, or heavily processed snacks. It empowers children to explore textures, flavours, and food independence from the start — building healthy habits for life.

Depending on age and stage, babies can enjoy:

  • Soft-cooked vegetables like carrots, parsnips, or sweet potato

  • Mashed organic meats like chicken thigh or minced beef

  • Finger foods such as steamed broccoli florets, ripe avocado slices, or tender cooked lamb

  • Iron-rich proteins such as finely shredded beef, organic sausages (low salt), or slow-cooked pork

At Eversfield Organic, we pride ourselves on providing pure, trusted, organic produce for every member of the family. Our meats are entirely free from antibiotics, synthetic hormones, pesticides, and harmful additives — just real, honest food from organic British farms.


Why Organic Matters for Children

Choosing organic isn't just a lifestyle choice — it's a health-conscious investment in your family’s well-being. For children, whose bodies and immune systems are still developing, organic food can help reduce exposure to:

  • Pesticide residues

  • Growth hormones

  • Artificial preservatives and flavourings

  • Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

Research suggests that children on organic diets may have fewer behavioural issues, improved gut health, and stronger immune systems. Plus, organic meat tends to be higher in essential omega-3 fatty acids and lower in harmful saturated fats — ideal for fuelling healthy growth.


Organic Meats Perfect for Little Ones

Our range of organic, high-welfare meat includes many options that are gentle enough for young palates and versatile enough for simple home cooking:


Family-Friendly Recipe Ideas

Here are a few favourite dishes that make healthy, nourishing meals for toddlers and growing children:

🐓 Hidden Veg Organic Chicken & Rice Balls

Made with shredded chicken thigh, blitzed carrots, peas, rice, and a touch of cheese. Rolled into balls and oven-baked — perfect for little hands.

🥩 Organic Beef & Lentil Bolognese

Slow-cooked beef mince with red lentils, tomato, and hidden veg, served with wholegrain pasta or soft-cooked courgetti.

🐖 Pork & Apple Mini Sausage Patties

Using our chipolatas with grated apple and sage — shaped into mini patties and pan-fried for a protein-packed finger food.

🍲 Lamb & Root Veg Stew

Slow braised lamb shoulder with sweet potato, carrot, and parsnip — fork-tender and naturally sweet.


In Summary

Feeding your child shouldn’t be a guessing game — and it certainly shouldn’t mean settling for ultra-processed alternatives. At Eversfield Organic, we believe in real food for real families, from first tastes to grown-up plates. When you choose organic, you’re choosing honesty, transparency, and care — values we’ve held close for over 20 years.

Because your family deserves nothing less.

Leave a comment

All comments are moderated before being published.

This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.