An Unhealthy Start: The Nutritional Composition, Processing, and on-Pack Claims of Commercial Foods for Infants and Toddlers in Thailand

Abstract

Nutrition during the first 1000 days of life is vital for fostering child health. Commercial foods for infants and toddlers are now increasingly prevalent, yet their nutritional quality and insufficiently regulated marketing are a global concern. This cross-sectional audit comprehensively assessed the nutritional composition, processing levels, on-pack claims, and compliance with the WHO Nutrient and Promotion Profile Model (NPPM) nutrient composition requirements of 216 products available in Thailand. Our findings revealed that ultra-processed products dominated the market (59.7%), with 43.5% of all foods containing added free sugars. Snacks and finger foods were the largest and most concerning category, 77.7% of these were ultra-processed, 67.0% contained added free sugar, and 25.9% had added salt. Nutritionally, this category was high in energy, sugar, and sodium but deficient in micronutrients. Compliance with WHO NPPM nutrient composition was highly variable and particularly low for snacks concerning added free sugars. The prevalence of on-pack claims was high, with composition and nutrition (96.8%), health (58.8%), and marketing (88.4%) claims. Therefore, urgent policy interventions are required to address the prevalence of nutritionally inadequate products and misleading claims. Show more