ADPH joins call to Government on baby food

We have joined over 40 leading health and child organisations to call on the Government to take urgent action to protect babies and young children from unhealthy food, following new research from Leeds University published this week.

The research, which featured in the BBC Panorama investigation,‘The Truth About Baby Food Pouches’ (aired 28 April 2025), which exposed the powerful grip of the food industry on children’s health, comes as new polling reveals 75% of Brits would support a ban on high sugar baby and toddler food.

In today’s letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, the coalition warns of a ‘worsening health crisis’ – with Government data showing more children shifting from a healthy weight to overweight or obesity between Reception and Year 6 than the reverse, especially in the most deprived areas.

Parents of babies and toddlers are frequently targeted with marketing for ultra-processed snacks, drinks, and foods that are labelled as “healthy,” even though they’re often high in sugar and low in nutritional value. They’re also exposed to advertising for follow-on and growing-up formula milks that contradict public health recommendations.

There has been recent progress, such as restrictions on junk food advertising on TV before 9pm and online at any time, the forthcoming multibuy promotion ban, and the proposed extension of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy to sugary milk drinks. However, these measures don’t go far enough and wth three-quarters of the country demanding action, we have joined the Obesity Health Alliance, who organised the letter, in urging ministers to finally put children’s health above corporate profit and deliver on the promise of creating the healthiest generation of children ever.