Key Summary
- Boots will only sell baby foods that meet new healthy nutrition guidelines.
- Products will have no added sugar, salt or sweeteners, making it easier for parents to choose better options.
- Boots is leading early action ahead of government rules to help tackle childhood obesity.
Boots has announced that it will sell baby foods with no added sugar, sweeteners or added salt to comply with the government’s goal to tackle childhood obesity.
The retail chain has said it will only sell ready-made baby food that meets the new nutritional guidelines published by the government.
Similarly, the government also limits overall sugar, fruit or sodium content in children’s snacks for children between 12 months and three years.
Boots said these measures will help parents make healthy food choices for their children.
It reviewed its existing products and also launched several new products such as ‘nutty pouches’ from Ella’s Kitchen, pots and pouches from Cow & Gate, newly reformulated Organix Original Rice Cakes, etc.
Healthier options in ready-made baby foods are convenient and safe, along with their longer shelf-life and ease to feed.
Boots becomes the first major UK retailer to adopt these voluntary guidelines ahead of the government’s February 2027 deadline, as it provides over 250 varieties of healthy baby snacks, dried food and wet pouches starting from just £1.
Other non-compliant products will discontinue from this month (mid-April).
Health secretary Wes Streeting said, “Families deserve to know the food they’re buying for their babies meet high nutrient standards, which is why we’ve set clear guidelines for the industry.”
“Government can’t build a healthy society alone, it requires business, the voluntary sector, and all of us as citizens to play our part,” he added.
Vicky Pennington, lead nutritionist at Boots said, “We know that comparing labels and understanding nutritional information can be challenging, especially when life is busy. Our aim is to make it easier for families to feel confident and know that every product they find at Boots meets high nutritional standards.”
