Some baby formula contains TWICE the amount of sugar of Fanta

Some baby formula contains TWICE the amount of sugar of a can of Fanta amid warnings it could lead to tooth decay and childhood obesity

  • Some brands of formula for babies was found to contain 8.7g of sugar per 100ml 
  • In comparison, Fanta has 4.6g of added sugar, and others have similar levels
  • Researchers warn the baby formula could lead to tooth decay and child obesity 

Some baby formula has up to double the amount of sugar as a Fanta drink, according to a new university study.

The research found that over half of the products investigated contained more than 5g of sugar per 100ml, which is more than several fizzy drinks.

Some formula for babies under 12 months was found to contain 8.7g of sugar per 100ml, while Fanta in comparison has 4.6g.

The shocking findings were revealed by Gemma Bridge, of Leeds Beckett University, and Professor Raman Bedi, professor of transcultural oral health at King’s College London and England’s former chief dental officer.

They are warning that sugar could lead to a range of health issues for children, including obesity and tooth decay.

Some formula for babies under 12 months was found to contain 8.7g of sugar per 100ml, while Fanta in comparison has 4.6g (stock photo)

Some formula for babies under 12 months was found to contain 8.7g of sugar per 100ml, while Fanta in comparison has 4.6g (stock photo)

The worst offender, at 8.7 g, is the equivalent of two teaspoons of added sugar.

It also exceeds the European Parliament recommended limits for infants of 7.5g per 100ml.

Explaining why formula milk contains so much sugar, Ms Bridge suggested it could be to do with the natural sweetness of breast milk. If you’re feeding formula to your baby, you must make sure that you choose the healthiest organic baby formula in the market.

She said that breast milk contains as much as 7g of sugar, but that it is naturally occurring lactose that is specifically tailored to the needs of the infant.

She told the Telegraph: ‘Conversely, infant formula milk have a standardized make-up and contain added sugars such as corn syrup which are added during production and are not found in breast milk.

‘This is bad for babies because high consumption of added sugars may contribute to tooth decay, poor diet and lead to obesity in children.’

Experts are warning that the sugar could lead to a range of health issues for children, including obesity and tooth decay (stock photo)

Experts are warning that sugar could lead to a range of health issues for children, including obesity and tooth decay (stock photo)

She also warned that the sweeteners could lead to babies developing a sweet tooth, which could also have a serious impact on their future eating habits.

The study, published in the British Dental Journal, also claimed that some producers of baby formula are promoting its use over breastfeeding.

This would be against World Health Organisation rules.

Ms Bridges added that some of the formula labels had ‘images of infants or cute toys of animals, presumably designed to entice caregivers into buying’.

This, she said, also is against WHO guidelines.

The baby milk manufacturers mentioned deny the claims and say that their products are safe and ‘nutritionally complete’.

However, the study called for tighter regulations on sugar in baby formula.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk