A shocking Panorama exposé has revealed that many baby food pouches are packed with sugar and stripped of essential nutrients. But one British farmer says there's a better way – and he's developed it himself.

Kent farmer and father, Charles Fermor, co-founder of Freddie's Farm, has pioneered a patented new method that could transform the baby food industry. Unlike the ultra-processed pouches currently under fire, his approach keeps fruit and vegetables close to their natural state – removing harmful free sugars while preserving the goodness.

“When visiting a baby food factory, I saw some awful, mostly rotten fruit being blitzed and boiled until it all tasted the same. I was horrified. That's not baby food – it's homogenised gunk” says Charles.

Motivated by what he saw, Charles developed a unique, gentle process that retains the natural taste, texture, and nutrition of whole produce. Remarkably, the method even removes the free sugars released during preparation.

“We start with ripe, fresh fruit, gently process it, and remove the free sugar juice – which ends up in cider, not baby food!

“The impact on sugar content varies depending on the base ingredient, as fruits and vegetables naturally contain different sugar levels. However, we are already seeing an average 33% reduction in total sugars compared to the market-leading 100% apple pouch.”

This isn't just a new product – it's a challenge to the status quo. With childhood obesity on the rise, Charles believes it's time for Big Food to be held to account.

It is hoped that the new patented method will provide baby food manufacturers with a significantly more nutritious and sustainable way to offer genuinely healthier food options to parents of babies. 

Adds Charles: “As the industry shifts towards incorporating more vegetables, it is crucial to avoid the same excessive processing that has long dominated fruit-based purees.

“Parents deserve real, healthy options – not ultra-processed junk food in disguise.”

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