Baby food pouches sold in UK supermarkets are effectively "equivalent to fruit smoothies" and should not be given to children under a year old, experts have warned.Researchers found that very few pouch products "meet the desired characteristics for complementary foods", leading to calls for regulators to review how they are classified and sold.The study, conducted by academics from the University of Glasgow’s College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences and the First Steps Nutrition Trust, examined every wet commercial baby food (CBF) item available at six major UK supermarkets.Their analysis evaluated sugar, protein, and energy contents across 298 products, comparing them to breast milk.Six out of 10 products evaluated (60%) were sold in "spouted pouches" or sPouches.Experts say baby food pouches are effectively ‘equivalent to fruit smoothies’ (Getty/iStock)Of these pouches, 70% were targeted at infants under six months of age, despite health guidelines recommending that weaning begin from around six months.Compared to breast milk and alternative products, pouches were found to carry lower levels of protein, reduced energy, and higher concentrations of sugar.Researchers stated that many of these products are "similar to sweet fruit smoothies", which are not recommended for infants or pre-school aged children.According to NHS guidelines, infants under 12 months "do not need fruit juice or smoothies".Writing in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood, the authors noted: "Many wet CBF delivered in sPouches have the texture and composition of sweet drinks, while very few meet the desired characteristics for complementary foods,"They added: "These CBFs, which in texture and content are equivalent to fruit smoothies, should not really be given at all before 12 months and their intake limited after."The team said parents regularly select these options due to "misperceptions of suitability and healthfulness", pointing out that "CBF packaging often displays the misleading claim no added sugar despite containing high amounts of free sugars due to pureed fruit content".The authors urged regulators to "review whether labelling spouted-pouch, baby food products as complementary foods is appropriate and consider whether these delivery systems are inappropriate for complementary feeding."NHS guidelines state infants under 12 months ‘do not need fruit juice or smoothies’ (Getty/iStock)Dr Vicky Sibson, co-author of the study and director at the First Steps Nutrition Trust, said: "The NHS advises parents not to give babies fruit drinks and smoothies because their high sugar and acid content can cause tooth decay."And yet, right now, supermarkets and pharmacies are full of fruit-based baby ‘food’ pouches marketed for use from four months and six months of age as ‘first foods’, when our research shows they are actually often more like fruit drinks or smoothies."Parents are being misled in to believing that these are healthy and appropriate choices for their babies."The Government have given the baby food industry until February 2027 to comply with new voluntary baby food guidelines."A quick glance at the shelves and online suggests slow progress and undoubtedly a mandatory approach would be preferable."Stronger regulations on the composition, marketing and labelling of commercial baby and toddler foods and drinks should be based on the latest evidence, to ensure maximum protection for infant and young child health."