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Most pre-packaged meals, snacks for toddlers contain too much salt


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American Heart Association Meeting Report

March 21, 2013 

Study Highlights:

  • Most pre-packaged meals and snacks for toddlers contain high amounts of sodium.
  • Some toddler meals had as much as 630 mg of sodium per serving.


Abstract # P253 Embargoed until 3 p.m. CT / 4 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Vodcast (video story posted in the AHA Podcast/Vodcast Library at embargo)
NEW ORLEANS — Nearly 75 percent of commercial pre-packaged meals and savory snacks for toddlers are high in sodium, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention/Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism 2013 Scientific Sessions.

In the first study to look at the sodium content in U.S. baby and toddler foods, researchers compared the sodium content per serving of 1,115 products for babies and toddlers using data on major and private label brands compiled by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Baby food was categorized as intended for children less than one year old, and toddler food was categorized as intended for children between the ages of one and three.

A product was defined as high in sodium if it had more than 210 mg of sodium per serving. Toddler meals had significantly higher amounts of sodium than baby meals, and the amount of sodium in some of the toddler meals was as high as 630 mg per serving – about 40 percent of the 1,500 mg daily limit recommended by the American Heart Association. The foods with the most sodium were savory snacks and meals for toddlers.

“Our concern is the possible long-term health risks of introducing high levels of sodium in a child’s diet, because high blood pressure, as well as a preference for salty foods may develop early in life. The less sodium in an infant’s or toddler’s diet, the less he or she may want it when older,” said Joyce Maalouf, M.S., M.P.H., ORISE, lead author and Fellow at the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. Consuming excessive amounts of sodium has been linked to the development of high blood pressure in scientific studies.

“Parents and other caregivers can read the nutrition facts labels on baby and toddler foods, to choose the healthiest options for their child,” Maalouf said.

The American Heart Association recommends limiting sodium consumption to less than 1500 mg a day. Sodium is in regular table salt and many foods, including most prepared meals and snacks for toddlers.

Co-authors are Mary Cogswell, Dr.P.H., R.N.; Janelle Gunn, R.D., M.P.H.; and Robert Merritt, M.A. The authors have no disclosures.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funded the study.

Follow @HeartNews for EPI/NPAM news or @AHAMeetings for general information -  hashtag #EPINPAM13 for both.

Multimedia resources, including taped interviews with an AHA expert offering perspective on the science, are available on the right column of this link http://newsroom.heart.org/news/most-pre-packaged-meals-snacks-for-toddlers-contain-too-much-salt?preview=a4f7d12b13b7e4e23a10e1ccd6709b32

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Statements and conclusions of study authors that are presented at American Heart Association scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect association policy or position.  The association makes no representation or warranty as to their accuracy or reliability. The association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific association programs and events.  The association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing science content.  Revenues from pharmaceutical and device corporations are available atwww.heart.org/corporatefunding.

Note : This scientific presentation is 5 p.m. CT/ 6 p.m. ET, Thursday, March 21, 2013. ALL NEWS MATERIALS ARE EMBARGOED UNTIL THE TIME OF PRESENTATION OR 4 P.M. ET EACH DAY, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.

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