Ultra-processed foods over-represented in children's products, warns "60 Million Consumers"

Cereal packets, biscuits, flavoured yoghurts, compotes, nuggets... Take a look in the shopping trolley, open the cupboards and fridge of a family, you will most certainly find several colourful packages or even decorated with a cartoon character intended to attract the attention of children – and their parents. Most are probably ultra-processed foods (UPFs) . In its issue released this Thursday, September 11, the magazine 60 millions de consommateurs warns of their omnipresence in food intended for children . Of the 43 products analyzed by the association, 35 are UPFs.

By sifting through the forty or so products, the consumer protection organization even found them in baby food. Blédidej cereals, a carton of drinking milk sold for babies from 6 months old, for example, contains seven ingredients "typical of ultra-processing" ; Mon 1er Petit Beurre chocolate chips, from the same brand (Blédina), contains four. Older children are not left out, with strawberry BN containing seven, almost caught up by the six ingredients in Flanby desserts.

"With reassuring visuals (ear of wheat, teddy bear, etc.), many of these products give the illusion of being healthy. This is far from being the case," the magazine points out. And for good reason: to recognize an ultra-processed product, a quick look at the back of the package is required. The "markers" of ultra-processing are all the ingredients that you can't find in your cupboards, since they come from industrial processes that are difficult to reproduce at home. This is the case for flavorings, emulsifiers, glucose syrup, food derivatives such as beet fiber, and other additives .

The problem with these products isn't so much that they can't be reproduced identically at home. But for several years, numerous studies have been accumulating on their harmful effects on health. Firstly, because many of them are not nutritionally interesting: too salty, sweet or fatty, not rich enough in fiber and vitamins (for those that do have them, their Nutri-Score is more often given a D or even an E).

Second, because the manufacturing process itself seems to have an impact on how our bodies assimilate nutrients. Their alteration linked to the manufacturing process "has an impact on chewing, satiety, and the speed with which blood sugar levels rise... This disrupts food intake," explains Antony Fadet, interviewed by 60 Million Consumers. When we eat these foods, we generally eat more of them. So the calorie intake of the meal increases... and with it the risk of overweight and obesity. In a context where the latter is skyrocketing among children around the world, to the point of surpassing undernutrition.

As Inserm points out , numerous scientific studies also suggest that regularly eating ultra-processed foods is associated with a greater risk of developing metabolic disorders (diabetes, hypertension, etc.), cancers , and even depressive symptoms . The mechanisms involved still need to be better identified.

A study published this summer in Cell Metabolism also showed that, for the same calorie intake and without overeating, a diet of ultra-processed foods leads to weight gain and an increase in a cardiovascular risk indicator. Hormonal changes have also been observed, linked to metabolism and male fertility. Conclusion: the ultra-processed nature of these foods (and not just their energy intake) also seems to have its share of responsibility for their harmful effects.

So far, studies have mainly been conducted on adults. When they are consumed by children, they pose another problem: the more children are accustomed to eating these foods as they grow up, the more likely they are to prefer them to "raw" products (fruits and vegetables in particular) and to continue to favor them in their diet as adults. Manufacturers are well aware of this, and they take steps to make their foods more visually appealing.

Based on this observation, how can we feed our children properly? Certainly, "homemade" is better. But don't panic or put pressure on them, which would increase the mental load that is already present in households . Of course, it's better to favor raw foods, or those with a short list of ingredients. Limit industrial biscuits to snacks or breakfast, desserts with flavors (even fruit flavors), sugary drinks... Without banning them permanently and turning into anxiety. Aware of the issue, Santé publique France has developed a dedicated website (manger-bouger.fr) , which provides nutritional recommendations and simple meal ideas.