Sugars in infant food. Spanish and European regulations, who are they protecting?

The high level of sugar intake in infancy and childhood contributes to the current epidemic of tooth decay and childhood obesity, influencing negatively, as well, on low rates of breastfeeding. One of the measures to control this consumption is the determination by the health authorities of the maximum amount of existing sugar in infant foods produced by the food industry. This article inspects the law in Europe and Spain governing the presence of sugar in baby foods other than infant formula: Directive 2006/125/EC and Royal Decree 490/1998. After reviewing the legislative and compilation or consolidation technical rules, the respect of deadlines and the suitability of the procedures, we can conclude that the lack of accuracy is evident. Regarding the amount of sugars allowed in baby foods, they are far from ideal, to the extent that they can be considered an obesogenic factor and an issue that promote bad dietary habits throughout childhood. Therefore, we can question if the law protects infant’s health or the interest of food industry.