Examining Product Names of Commercially Produced Infant and Toddler Foods Containing Vegetables (P11-082-19)

Abstract

ObjectivesTo examine: 1) product names of commercially produced infant and toddler foods (ITF) that contain vegetables, 2) specific vegetable forms in ITF, and 3) the presence of fruit juice/concentrates in the ITF. MethodsA database of commercial ITF containing vegetables (n = 517) from company websites (n = 19) was created. The vegetable and form [i.e., whole/puree, juice/juice concentrate, dried, powders, or other, including form not listed], and the presence of fruit juice/concentrate were queried. The inclusion of each vegetable or fruit juice/concentrate in the product name on the front of the package (yes/no) was recorded using product names and ingredient lists. Vegetables were classified per USDA categories: dark green, red/orange, beans/peas, starchy, and other vegetables. Chi square was used to test associations between ingredient type (vegetable or fruit juice/concentrate) and inclusion in product names. To examine the vegetable form, frequencies, by vegetable category, were calculated. ResultsAs hypothesized, an association was observed between vegetables and fruit juice/concentrates and inclusion in product names [χ2 = 147.2, P < .001]. Dark green vegetables (DGV) were more likely than expected to appear in product names [94%; standardized residual (SR) = 2.1], while fruit juice/concentrates were less likely than expected to appear in product names (32%; SR = -4.0). DGV form was most often listed as whole/puree (36.6%) followed by powders (18.3%), however form often was not listed (43.8%). Almost all DGV listed as powders in the ingredient list (96%) were found in the product name. ConclusionsThese findings suggest that DGV, even when added only as powders, are more likely to appear in the product name of an ITF, indicating that perceived healthfulness of the ingredients may influence the product name. Typically DGV are found further down in the ingredient list (about 4th of 7 total ingredients; Moding et al., 2018). Fruit juice/concentrates are less likely to appear in the product name. Unfortunately, the appearance of DGV in a product name may not be indicative of a product that would allow the kind of vegetable exposure caregivers anticipate offering to their child to build preference and liking. Such knowledge about ITF ingredients may help inform caregivers’ ITF selections. Funding SourcesNone.