'Baby food should carry warning'

Some children's foods are so "nutritionally poor" they should carry health warnings, a report claimed today.

The UK food industry should also adopt a strict code of practice when making food for children, according to a study launched by businesswoman Lizzie Vann.

Ms Vann - founder of organic children's food company Organix - believes legislation means children as young as one are considered adults by the food industry.

Research carried out by Mintel International - commissioned by Organix - showed only nine per cent of parents had no concerns over the food they gave their children.

Figures showed that 70 per cent of parents with children under five felt unable to say that they knew enough about nutrition-to feed their children healthily.

A sample of 4,000 adults were interviewed in October last year, of whom 600 had children under five.

Meanwhile research carried out by Organix itself found an average of five additives in each of the foods it examined. More than one third of the foods contained colourings - the worst offenders were sweets, savoury snacks and children's desserts.

Ms Vann said: "The overwhelming drive from manufacturers and retailers to market children's food on the basis of convenience, price and ' kiddie appeal', has led to a casual approach being taken to nutritional value.

"This is appalling given that children, more than any of us, need good wholesome foods."