Choosing how to package baby food isn’t just a technical decision — it speaks to everything from product safety to shelf life, brand positioning, and now more than ever, consumer trust. Following the recent BBC Panorama investigation into baby food nutrition, pouches have come under renewed scrutiny — not just for what’s inside them, but how they’re processed, preserved and presented. While the headlines focused on sugar and nutritional content, the format itself became part of the conversation. At SPS Pouches, we work with baby food brands who use pouches every day. We’re not here to defend or dismiss the report. But we do think there’s value in understanding the bigger picture — and more importantly, helping brands make better decisions going forward.
What Did the BBC Panorama Report Say About Baby Food Pouches?
The investigation highlighted two main concerns:
Neither of these points are new within the industry. Retort is a standard process used globally to ensure shelf-stable baby food is safe. And formulators have long understood that thermal sterilisation has trade-offs.
But what Panorama did was bring these concerns into the mainstream — prompting many parents (and brands) to re-evaluate what pouch-based nutrition actually offers.
Retort processing involves sealing the food in its final packaging (often a spouted pouch), then cooking it at high temperatures — typically 121°C — to sterilise the contents. This kills bacteria and spores and ensures the product can be stored at room temperature for extended periods.
From a safety and logistics perspective, it’s hard to beat:
However, there is a nutritional trade-off. Heat-sensitive vitamins can degrade slightly during the process — though it’s worth noting that many of these nutrients are already supplemented back into the formulation.
What matters is that brands understand how processing impacts the product — and work with suppliers who can help them adapt accordingly.
Baby food pouches — especially spouted varieties — are popular for good reason:
But they’ve also been accused of making it too easy for children to consume large quantities of sweetened purée quickly — and of masking what’s actually inside.
The answer isn’t to abandon spout pouches altogether. It’s to design them better, fill them more thoughtfully, and ensure the packaging supports transparency — not just convenience.
At SPS Pouches, we supplyspecifically designed for baby food applications. These are food-contact safe, retort-capable if needed, and available with custom print options that allow brands to communicate clearly on-pack — whether that’s highlighting nutritional values, sourcing, or processing methods.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some brands are now exploring:
The technology around baby food pouches is evolving fast. Recent innovations have made it possible to develop recylable retort grade pouches — removing aluminium foil while maintaining the necessary barrier properties. While these aren’t yet the norm across the sector, they signal where things are headed.
At SPS Pouches, we offer guidance on selecting the right structure for your specific product and processing method — whether that’s traditional retort or something gentler.
The Panorama episode is unlikely to mark the end of pouches — but it does signal a shift in how consumers think about them.
More than ever, parents are asking:
That presents a challenge — but also an opportunity. Brands that are transparent about their packaging, honest about their processing, and proactive about innovation will be better positioned to build trust.
And that’s where the right packaging partner comes in.
We work with start-ups, SME's and established brands in the baby food, health, and wellness space. Our job is to help you:
Whether you’re just launching a new pouch-based product or looking to reformulate after recent consumer feedback, we’re here to help you make the right call — and adapt as your needs evolve.
We offer free expert advice and support for anyone who needs product packaging, and we’d love to hear about your project and help find the right pouch for you.
If you have any enquiries concerning our pouch packaging, or would simply like to get in touch with our team, you can use the contact form or details below.
