A new investigation commissioned by Greenpeace International has found microplastics in every baby food pouch tested, with some brands containing over 11,000 particles per pouch. The study, conducted by SINTEF Ocean in Norway, traced the likely source to the plastic lining of the pouches themselves and identified hormone-disrupting chemicals in both the food and packaging.

How Many Microplastics Are We Talking About?

The numbers are striking. Researchers tested three pouches each of two popular brands: Nestlé's Gerber yogurt puree and Danone's Happy Baby Organics fruit puree. The findings revealed significant contamination across both products.

• Gerber pouches: An average of 54 microplastic particles per gram of food, equivalent to approximately 270 microplastics per teaspoon
• Happy Baby Organics pouches: An average of 99 microplastic particles per gram of food, equivalent to approximately 495 microplastics per teaspoon
• Total contamination: A single Gerber pouch contains more than 5,000 microplastic particles, while a Happy Baby Organics pouch contains more than 11,000 particles

To put this in perspective, babies consuming these pouches are ingesting thousands of tiny plastic particles with every meal. The study suggests polyethylene, the plastic material lining the pouches, is the likely source of these microplastics.

What Chemicals Were Found in Baby Food Pouches?

Beyond microplastics, the investigation identified a range of plastic-associated chemicals in both the packaging and the food itself. Most concerning was the detection of an endocrine-disrupting chemical in Gerber samples. Endocrine disruptors are substances that interfere with hormone systems in the body, potentially affecting growth, development, and reproductive health.

Dr. Leo Trasande, Director of the Division of Environmental Pediatrics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, emphasized the urgency of these findings. He explained that early exposure to plastic chemicals contributes to rising rates of obesity, reproductive disorders, and neurodevelopmental problems that can impact children throughout their lives.

"I see firsthand how plastic chemicals harm our children, contributing to rising rates of obesity, reproductive, and neurodevelopmental disorders that can impact them for a lifetime. Finding microplastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals in baby food is exactly the early exposure we have been warning about for years," said Dr. Leo Trasande.

Dr. Leo Trasande, Director of Environmental Pediatrics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine

Why Are Plastic Pouches So Common in Baby Food?

Squeeze pouches have become the dominant format for baby food globally. The market is growing at 8 percent annually, and these flexible plastic containers now account for 37 percent of the baby food market by volume as of 2025. Their convenience and portability have made them popular with parents, but they come with a significant environmental and health cost.

These pouches are made from flexible multilayer plastics, which are notoriously difficult to recycle and contribute substantially to plastic pollution. Packaging already accounts for roughly 40 percent of all global plastic production, making this a major environmental concern.

What Are Experts Calling For?

Greenpeace USA is demanding immediate action from manufacturers and policymakers. The organization is calling on Gerber to take two specific steps before its 100th anniversary: test every product for microplastics and publish the results publicly, and commit to a phased timeline to eliminate plastic pouches in favor of non-toxic, plastic-free, reusable alternatives.

At the government level, Greenpeace is advocating for two key pieces of legislation. The Ensuring Safe and Toxic-Free Foods Act would close loopholes that allow chemicals to be added to foods without thorough review. The Microplastics Safety Act would establish federal standards for microplastic contamination in food and beverages.

"For nearly a century, Gerber has been one of the most trusted names in feeding American babies. That trust has been shattered. They're serving babies microplastics with every pouch," said Lindsey Jurca.

Lindsey Jurca, Senior Plastics Campaigner at Greenpeace USA

The findings come as governments negotiate the UN Global Plastics Treaty, with Greenpeace demanding negotiators act with urgency to ban these products, reduce plastic production, and end uncontrolled chemical contamination that threatens human health.

This study represents the first investigation to trace microplastics and plastic chemicals from packaging directly into baby food, raising important questions about the safety of convenient feeding formats and the long-term health implications for infants exposed to these contaminants during critical developmental periods.