Health experts urge government to address sugary baby food

Forty health and child organisations have urged the government to take immediate action to protect babies and young children from harmful food and drink products, as polling reveals 75 per cent of Brits would support a ban on high sugar baby and toddler food.

The organisations have written to the secretary of state for health and social care following the publication of the research, featured in the BBC Panorama investigation ‘The truth about baby food pouches’. The episode exposed the powerful grip of the food industry on children's health.

The coalition has warned of a ‘worsening health crisis’ – with government data showing more children shifting from a healthy weight to overweight or obesity between reception and year six than the reverse, particularly in the most deprived areas.