Many packaged foods for babies and young children sold in South Africa contain flavourings that could harm their eating habits and health. Flavourings in these foods – also called commercial complementary foods (CCFs) – need to be re-evaluated and labelling regulations must be properly enforced. This is according to researchers at Stellenbosch University.

In a study published recently in the journal Maternal & Child Nutrition, they created a profile of flavourings added to CCFs, focusing on their prevalence and type (taste, flavour, and nature). By photographing product labels and reaching out to manufacturers, the researchers looked at CCFs for babies and young children aged six to 23 months, available in supermarkets, pharmacies and baby stores nationwide. Most of the products included in the study were manufactured in South Africa, while the rest were imported.

The researchers note that from the age of six months, suitable complementary foods should be introduced alongside breastmilk to meet the growing nutritional and energy needs of babies and young children. They say that little is known about flavourings in CCFs and their potential negative impact on children's taste preferences, eating habits, and long‐term health. Most CCFs are sweet and high in sugar, with many containing added sugar to appeal to babies’ and young children’s natural preference for sweetness. 

“Our study shows that about a third (36,2%) of CCFs contained flavourings, with just over three quarters (75,9%) of these containing one and the remainder up to three flavourings.

 “Almost eighty-five percent (84,2%) of baby cereals and porridges contained flavourings. The flavourings in CCFs were primarily of sweet flavours (more than 80%) with vanilla being the most prevalent flavour. Other flavours include caramel, chocolate, honey, and rooibos.”

The researchers also call attention to the issue of misleading marketing of CCFs. 

“While all flavouring‐containing CCFs indicated flavourings correctly in their ingredient lists, a small percentage of CCF names and/or descriptors were misleading to parents and caregivers by implying the products contain certain real ingredients, not just flavourings of these ingredients.

“More than half (52,4%) of the flavouring-containing products were marketed as suitable for babies six months and older. Almost half (48,6%) of the baby drinks, all labelled as suitable for babies six months and older, contained flavourings.

“This kind of marketing may result in children developing a preference for certain flavours over acceptance of the specific foods.”

The researchers add that many CCFs on the market claim not to contain added flavourings, but these claims go against national regulations. 

“Just over half (51%) of CCFs complied with all South African labelling regulations relating to flavourings and more than three quarters (78,3%) violated regulations relating to non‐addition claims. Non-addition claims are statements that say a certain ingredient – usually one that’s commonly added to similar foods – has not been added to the product.”

They emphasise the enforcement of the national regulations relating to foodstuffs for infants and young children which explicitly prohibit any health, medical, or nutrition claims for these products. 

“National regulations play a critical role in safeguarding public health, ensuring that parents and caregivers receive accurate information about the products they buy, and maintaining the integrity of infant and child nutrition. Strengthening these regulations and their enforcement would help ensure that infants and young children are provided with safe, nutritious, and appropriately labelled food options.

“The enforcement of these regulations is essential to help parents and caregivers make proper food choices for their infants and young children.

“We also need stronger national mechanisms to ensure that food manufacturers fully comply with all aspects of food safety regulations.”

Because South Africa is a key trade gateway, the researchers say their findings also apply to neighbouring African countries.

They note that their study only considered complementary foods suitable for introduction from ages six to 23 months, whereas complementary foods are formulated for young children up to 36 months old. Many baby food manufacturers were also reluctant or even unwilling to share further information on the flavourings in their products or could simply not be reached at all.

• Source: Barnard, W; Du Plessis, L; Sigge, G 2025. Profile of Flavourings in Commercial Complementary Foods in South Africa. Maternal & Child Nutrition doi: org/10.1111/mcn.70065