Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) researchers have issued a study that found most of the prepackaged meals and snacks produced and marketed in the US for toddlers contain high levels of salt and sugar, potentially putting children’s health at risk. Using a 2012 US nutrient database to analyze the sugar and sodium content of more than 1,000 commercial foods for infants and toddlers, the research team determined 72 percent of foods had unacceptably high levels of sodium.

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) immediately took issue with the study, saying food and beverage manufacturers have long been committed to providing parents healthy products for their infants or toddlers. “We are concerned the study does not accurately reflect the wide range of healthy choices available in today’s marketplace for feeding infants and toddlers because it is based on 2012 data that does not reflect new products with reduced sodium levels, and it could needlessly alarm and confuse busy parents as they strive to develop suitable meal options their children will enjoy,” GMA said in a statement.