The baby food in the United d States is worth over $13 billion annually. Infant formula alone accounts for around $4.8 billion of total sales each year. Organic baby food sales have grown significantly over the past decade, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 9.5% between 2010-2020 according to research. Organic baby food now holds around 22% of total baby food sales in the US.
The Rise Of United States Infant Nutrition
While store-bought baby foods still dominate the , more parents are investing time in making homemade baby food from raw ingredients. Around 20% of parents surveyed reported making baby food at home occasionally or regularly. This trend has grown in popularity due to concerns over processing methods, ingredients, and preservatives used in commercial baby foods. Homemade baby food allows parents more control over what their infant consumes and supports exposures to variety early on.
Major Baby Food Brands
The largest players in the US baby food space are Gerber, Earth's Best Organic, and Beech-Nut Nutrition. Gerber currently commands around 56% of total US sales and offers an extensive line of infant cereals, purees, snacks and drinks. Earth's Best Organic has seen rapid growth in recent years by offering BPA-free, organic options that appeal to health-conscious parents. Beech-Nut Nutrition has been a staple baby food brand for generations with its classic jarred purees and cereals.
Breastfeeding Vs Formula Feeding
Around 84% of mothers in the US report initiating breastfeeding with their newborns according to CDC data. However, rates decline rapidly from there with only 25% exclusively breastfeeding at 6 months. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for around 6 months if possible due to the immunity and nourishment benefits for baby. For non-breastfed infants or those supplementing with formula, infant formula provides complete nutrition in powder or liquid form.
First Foods & Allergens
Rice cereal is still the most common first food introduced to infants, though alternatives like oatmeal and mixed grain cereals are growing in popularity. Around 6 months of age, parents will start introducing single-ingredient pureed foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, pears and apples one at a time to check for food reactions. The major food allergens - milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish - are usually delayed for introduction until around 12 months or later.
Organic & Non-GMO Trends In Infant Nutrition
Organic baby food sales now reach over $1.4 billion annually and segments within organic like Non-GMO verified options are gaining ground quickly as parents pay closer attention to manufacturing processes and ingredients used. Buying organic allows parents to avoid potential exposure to pesticides, antibiotics, hormones and GMOs during a critical developmental window. Non-GMO baby foods are verified to not contain genetically engineered ingredients that are of concern to some.
As the youngest generation of parents prioritize clean eating and transparency, the baby food must continue innovating to meet evolving preferences. More personalization allowing parents to customize formulas and foods for baby's individual needs could see growth. The rise of probiotic and prebiotic-enriched foods may also help establish healthy gut microbiomes early on. Sustainable and fair trade certified options opening up as parents' focus on ethical consumption expands to infant nutrition as well.
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Author Bio:
Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemical and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/money-singh-590844163)
