Most Processed Baby Food Brands
Baby food varies dramatically in processing — simple pureed fruits and vegetables score Level 1, while toddler meals with preservatives and thickeners reach Level 3-4. The concern is that even "organic" baby foods may contain added starches, citric acid, and ascorbic acid beyond simple fruit or vegetable puree.
Baby Food at a Glance
15 Most Processed Baby Food Brands
Brands ranked by highest average processing score across all their products in this category.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bottle pop | 4 | 35.8 2.0 | 4 | 0 |
| 2 | Cake boss | 12 | 22.3 2.5 | 12 | 0 |
| 3 | Ticklebelly | 3 | 21.0 3.0 | 3 | 0 |
| 4 | Wawa | 4 | 20.9 4.1 | 4 | 0 |
| 5 | Simply classic | 5 | 20.5 3.5 | 5 | 0 |
| 6 | Kelloggs cheez it | 5 | 18.3 3.0 | 5 | 0 |
| 7 | Icee | 3 | 18.1 2.0 | 3 | 0 |
| 8 | Tedeschi select | 3 | 16.3 5.0 | 3 | 0 |
| 9 | Lone star | 3 | 15.8 3.0 | 3 | 0 |
| 10 | Walgreens | 3 | 14.3 5.0 | 3 | 0 |
| 11 | American classic | 5 | 14.0 3.0 | 5 | 0 |
| 12 | American bbq company | 5 | 13.4 4.4 | 3 | 0 |
| 13 | Cheez-it | 4 | 13.2 3.8 | 4 | 0 |
| 14 | Nice! | 3 | 12.8 2.0 | 3 | 0 |
| 15 | Lloyds barbeque co. | 3 | 12.4 3.0 | 3 | 0 |
Closest Look: Top 5 Most Processed
Least Processed Baby Food Products
Individual products with the lowest processing scores.
Most Processed Baby Food Products
Individual products with the highest processing scores.
What to Look for on the Label
- 1Purees should list only the fruit or vegetable and water
- 2Citric acid and ascorbic acid are preservatives — common but not necessary in fresh purees
- 3Added starches (rice starch, corn starch) are thickeners that increase processing
- 4Toddler snacks (puffs, melts) are significantly more processed than purees
Least Processed Baby Food Brands
For comparison — brands with the lowest average processing scores.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | River valley | 3 | 1.0 8.5 | 0 | 3 |
| 2 | La sabrosa | 4 | 1.0 8.5 | 0 | 4 |
| 3 | Aerofarms | 15 | 1.0 6.3 | 0 | 15 |
| 4 | Key food | 3 | 1.0 8.5 | 0 | 3 |
| 5 | Winn-dixie | 3 | 1.0 10.0 | 0 | 3 |
| 6 | Manns | 4 | 1.0 3.8 | 0 | 4 |
| 7 | Martinez & sons gourmet produce | 4 | 1.0 5.0 | 0 | 4 |
| 8 | Jack rabbit | 4 | 1.0 10.0 | 0 | 4 |
| 9 | Price chopper | 4 | 1.0 6.0 | 0 | 4 |
| 10 | Price rite | 4 | 1.0 8.5 | 0 | 4 |
| 11 | Stop & shop | 9 | 1.0 6.4 | 0 | 9 |
| 12 | C&f foods inc. | 3 | 1.0 10.0 | 0 | 3 |
| 13 | Sprouts farmers market | 7 | 1.0 6.6 | 0 | 7 |
| 14 | Family farms | 4 | 1.0 5.0 | 0 | 4 |
| 15 | Dream greens | 6 | 1.0 5.0 | 0 | 6 |
How We Score Products
Every product is evaluated using two independent scores. The Processing Score (lower is better) measures the degree of industrial processing based on ingredient analysis, including the presence of artificial additives, preservatives, and highly modified ingredients. The Nutrition Score (higher is better) rates overall nutritional quality, rewarding protein and fiber while penalizing excess sodium, added sugars, and saturated fat.
Products are assigned to one of four processing levels: Minimal (score ≤ 2.5), Processed (2.6 – 5.0), Highly Processed (5.1 – 8.0), and Ultra-Processed (above 8.0). Brand averages are calculated across all products in the category to produce the rankings shown here.
Based on analysis of 1.98 million products in the USDA FoodData Central database. For a deeper look at the methodology, see our Processing Score guide and Two-Score System explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do baby puffs score so high?
Baby puffs undergo extrusion processing (like breakfast cereal), then are coated with iron and vitamin supplements. They contain rice flour, corn starch, and added sugars — far more processed than simple purees.
Are baby food pouches processed?
Most pouches are pasteurized purees (Level 2). However, some add lemon juice concentrate, citric acid, and vitamin C as preservatives. Multi-ingredient pouches with grains score higher.
What baby food additives should parents avoid?
Added sugars, corn starch (thickener), natural flavors, and excessive citric acid. For infants, the simpler the ingredient list, the better.
Related Food Guides
Learn more about how individual foods are classified.
Disclaimer: All tools and data visualizations are provided for educational and informational purposes only. They are not intended as health, medical, or dietary advice. Product formulations change frequently — always check the actual label for current ingredients and nutrition facts before making purchasing decisions. Consult healthcare professionals for personalized dietary guidance.