Parents and carers across England should be able to shop more easily for healthier food for their children with new guidelines for commercial baby food to reduce salt and sugar, alongside clearer labelling to help parents make informed decisions.

Baby food manufacturers will be given 18 months to reduce sugar and salt levels in baby foods aimed at children up to 36 months old.   Businesses will be challenged to change the recipes for their products to reduce levels of salt and sugar without the use of sweeteners, which are not permitted for use in commercial baby food. Plus, clearer labelling guidelines will be introduced, aimed at helping parents understand more easily what food they are buying for their children.