A recent report on the US baby food sector has revealed a potential solution to the problem of allergies in children could also provide a much-needed boost to the baby wet meals category.

Inspired Start is a recently launched range of fruit purees specifically designed to introduce the eight common food allergies to babies aged four months plus.

Each pouch contains one gram of allergen protein, except for the banana and tree nut pouches, which contain one gram of each tree nut protein (almond, walnut and cashew) for a total of three grams.

Baby food sector, value and volume

Although the wet meals category is the only part of the baby food sector to have shown appreciable value growth – partially due to the introduction of new formats, principally the pouch – volume sales have stagnated since 2012, the report by GlobalData found.

The effects of the global recession, since the start of the decade, have led some parents to opt for home-prepared rather than bought meals, while at the same time there has been a global decline in the number of births, particularly in Western European countries.

The greater availability of pouches, which have proved popular, has significantly boosted average unit prices (36% from 2012 to 2018).

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

In addition, the fact that the latest available figures disseminated by the US-based group FARE indicate that 5.9 million children in the US – equivalent to 8% – have food allergies, and it is clear that, if successful, a range of wet meals that offer the chance of a child avoiding developing allergies which could be life-threatening, could do much to revive the currently dormant wet meals category.

Given the high cost of these products – averaging twice the price of Ella’s Kitchen’s organic pouches – the market is likely to enjoy a significant boost.

Wet baby meals: volume sales trends, 2012-2024

Note: the figures in red show the potential impact of an additional 8% of babies entering the sector. Source: Baby food sector in the US, 2019, GlobalData