In the world of sobering facts, here is one that tops the charts. According to the Center for Disease Control, over nine million children between the ages of 6 and 19 years are overweight or obese. This number has tripled since 1980. Further, obese kids ages 6 to 19 make up 17% of the general population, and are at risk for serious, life-long illnesses.

Nearly one-third of U.S. children aged 4 to 19 eat fast food every day, resulting in approximately six extra pounds per year, per child. And for children born in the United States in 2000, the lifetime risk of being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes at some point in their lives is estimated to be about 30% for boys and 40% for girls.

Sobering facts, indeed. It has never been more important for parents to get their kids off to a healthy start in life. And so, Greenopia recently released an analysis of some of the best, greenest baby food companies. This is an environmental study of 10 of the top baby food manufacturers.

And the top brand receiving Greenopia’s highest rating? Take a look at Tastybaby! The company was founded by two mothers on a self-proclaimed mission to help put an end to childhood obesity. They claim to be “creators of 100% certified frozen organic baby food, healthy and delicious, gluten-free organic food for babies and toddlers.” Their entire product line is organic, and grown without toxic pesticides and fertilizers and are “minimally processed without artificial ingredients, preservatives, irradiation or cloning.” 

Tastybaby also packages their foods using blast freezing. This allows food to be frozen solid within minutes, which the American Cancer Society points out as the best way of preserving vitamins. According to the American Cancer Society, “frozen foods can often be more nutritious than fresh foods because they are often picked ripe and quickly frozen, whereas fresh foods may lose some of their nutrients in the time between harvesting and consumption.” Further, Tastybaby supports sustainable agriculture and use biodegradable packing.

And guess what? Looks like babies like it, too. A recent mommy blog pointed out lots of “gobbling” and “(positive) grunting” from babies Kellan and Stella.

How did the major brands do in the Greenopia study? Gerber, EnFamil, and Pediasure did not fare so well. However, some have improved their supply chain over the past few years and have pledged continued action.

Finally, with the baby food industry being the source of constant product recalls, the safety of the food itself is a primary concern. But some companies have also been addressing their environmental footprint while making some of the safest products on the market.

“It’s especially important that the ingredients found in baby food are sourced in a safe and responsible manner”, said Doug Mazeffa, Greenopia’s Research Director. “Babies and small children are more susceptible to many of the hazards found in our environment, so it is crucial that baby food companies take special care.”

To find a green baby store in your city, check out Greenopia's local green business directories.

Photo credit 1: Erin Fox

Photo credit 2: Purrs&Paws ARAS/flickr