Essentials
Organic Baby Food Facts and Best Brands to Buy
Interested in organic baby food? Read our guide to learn if it’s right for your family, plus get a curated list of the best organic brands to buy.
April 28, 2021
Baby developing properly? Baby heat rash pictures. What age baby sits up? Baby ate glitter, harmful? When it comes to your kids, there is so much to worry about—and Google—late at night. It’s no surprise, then, that many parents choose organic baby food when it’s time to start feeding their babies solids. It feels like a good, safe choice and one less thing to worry about.
To make your life even easier, we created this guide to organic baby food to help you decide if it’s right for your family. We also curated a list of the best organic baby food pouches and jars to buy, several of which you can get delivered to your door in just 30 minutes from Gopuff.
First, read our Baby Food Guide: When to Start, What to Feed & More to make sure your baby is ready for solids. Second, double-check with your pediatrician before starting any new foods, and remember, the following are just general guidelines.
Source: Andrea Piacquadio, Pexels
Should Babies Eat Organic? The Answer May Surprise You
Are you ready to clutch a Wubbanub to your chest? Babies don’t need to eat organic, according to the Mayo Clinic. That’s right, research has not shown organic to be more nutritious than conventional baby food.
So why do parents often choose organic food for their little one? They may do it to limit their baby’s exposure to synthetic pesticide residue found on conventionally grown fruits and veggies. Because babies have weaker immune systems, parents may try to avoid these residues in an effort to limit potential harm.
It’s important to note, however, that the pesticide residues on nonorganic products fall below government safety thresholds. That means that the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency have determined that food—both non-organic and organic—can have trace amounts of pesticide residue on them and still be safe to eat. More on that here.
So again, why do parents choose organic baby food? Basically, they want to limit their baby’s exposure to any amount of synthetic pesticide residue. It’s about peace of mind, and that’s worth a lot to a parent.
What Makes Baby Food Organic?
The simple answer? If the packaging has an organic label on the front. The more complex answer? The National Organic Program from the United States Department of Agriculture has strict rules when it comes to organic foods, which refers to foods that contain no genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or artificial preservatives, flavors or colors. (See the USDA organic practices fact sheet for more information.)
Foods cannot carry the USDA organic seal or even be labeled “organic” on the front of the package if they don’t meet those rules, as the USDA explains. The front of the package is important because as the USDA says, it’s the portion of the package most likely to be seen by customers at the time of purchase.
Source: USDA
What Do the Different Organic Labels Mean?
You may see four different types of organic labels on your baby food. Here’s what they each mean:
“100% Organic”
The product contains 100% organic ingredients (excluding salt and water, which are considered natural).
The front of the package may say “100% organic” and include the USDA organic seal.
The information panel on the back of the package must identify which specific ingredients are organic.
“Organic”
The product contains a minimum of 95% organic ingredients (excluding salt and water).
Up to 5% of the ingredients may be non-organic—but only if the ingredients are not commercially available as organic.
The front of the package may say “organic” and include the USDA organic seal.
The information panel on the back of the package must identify which specific ingredients are organic.
“Made with Organic ______”
The product contains at least 70% organic ingredients (excluding salt and water).
There are lots of detailed constraints around the non-organic ingredients included.
The front of the package may say “made with organic” and then list up to three ingredients. It may not include the USDA organic seal, represent the product as organic or state “made with organic ingredients.”
The information panel on the back of the package must identify which specific ingredients are organic.
Organic Ingredient Listings
The product contains specific organic ingredients that can be listed in the information panel on the back. For example, “Ingredients: sweet potato, organic butternut squash, chickpeas and carrots.”
The front of the package may not include the USDA organic seal or say “organic” at all.
The information panel on the back of the package may only list certified organic ingredients in the ingredient list and the percentage of organic ingredients.
How to Read a Typical Organic Baby Food Package
Let’s take a look at this Gerber organic baby food pouch to see what all the labels mean.
“Organic” Label and USDA Organic Seal
As mentioned above, because the front of this Gerber package contains the word “organic” and has the USDA Organic circular seal on the bottom, it’s safe to assume that this pouch is at least 95% organic.
Non-GMO Project Verified Label
This pouch also has the Non-GMO Project Verified seal, which means that a third party verified that it was produced without genetic engineering and that its ingredients are not derived from GMOs.
Sitter, 2nd Foods
This is Gerber’s way of indicating that this particular pouch is appropriate for babies eating Stage 2 food. Our baby food guide explains this in greater detail, but basically, this pouch is for babies who are eating thicker purees made with multiple ingredients. This is typically around 7–8 months.
The Best Organic Baby Food
We know you want to give your baby the best, which is why we’ve curated a list of baby food options that are not only organic, but also tasty.
Gerber Organic
We love Gerber’s organic line of pouches because they feature organic fruits and veggies sourced from local U.S. farmers. The pear, peach and strawberry pouch, for instance, contains organic pears grown by Campbell Orchards in Yakima, Washington. The pouches also come in convenient BPA-free packaging that can be resealed. But most importantly, babies seem to really love the flavor combinations.
Gerber also offers jarred organic baby food, including Stage 1 organic baby food options—thin, single-ingredient purees ideal for new eaters. For snacks, it has several organic puffs and baked crunchies, which are great for helping babies master their pincer grasp.
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Plum Organics
Babies seem to really love the flavor combinations created by Plum Organics, whose pouches are certified organic and Non-GMO Project Verified. The fruit and veggie blends are naturally preserved with things like organic lemon juice concentrate, as well as free from salt and added sugars. Plus, the pouches themselves are a mix of 100% BPA- & phthalate-free plastic and foil. So basically, it’s easy to feel good about choosing Plum.
Happy Baby Organic
The mom-founded Happy Family company provides parents with organic baby snacks, organic baby cereal and even organic baby formula, but it’s the Happy Baby pouches that really stand out with their interesting flavor combos. For instance, the purple carrot and cauliflower pouch includes avocado oil and oregano, introducing babies to new flavors while providing a healthy dose of fat. What’s more, Happy Baby includes a variety of key nutrients, from iron and prebiotic fiber to superfoods like quinoa and flaxseed. And its packaging is made without BPA, BPS or phthalates.
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Beech-Nut Organics
Since 1931, Beech-Nut has been making food for tiny tummies. Its engineers actually patented the vacuum-sealed jar that’s now standard in the industry. Beech-Nut also goes above and beyond when it comes to their food, testing for up to 255 pesticides and heavy metals. Their pouches include intriguing flavor blends, such as apple, pumpkin and granola, though they also have single-ingredient options good for a baby’s first foods or for picky eaters. They even have a jar of Stage 1 organic prunes, which helps relieve constipation.
Earth’s Best Organic Baby Food
In 1985, a time when organic food wasn’t on a lot of people’s radar, Ron Koss and Arnie Koss started Vermont-based Earth’s Best Organic and began producing three organic fruit purees and two veggie purees. The brand has since expanded to include a wide variety of offerings, from organic Kosher and gluten-free foods to organic fruit smoothies and toddler milk. Parents really seem to love its Stage 3 baby food pouches, with chunky blends of familiar flavors, such as the savory chicken casserole puree. But no matter what they pick, they can be sure they’re getting food that contains no additives, no preservatives and no added salt or sugar.
Organic Meals for Babies Eating Finger Foods
If your baby is doing baby-led weaning or has moved on to finger foods, Gopuff has a whole lineup of organic groceries and prepared meals that you can get delivered to your house ASAP—no need to go to the grocery store. Here are a few of our favorite organic meals for busy parents:
1. Organic Valley Feta & Chive Egg Bites
We love these egg bites because they provide a hefty dose of protein, as well as brain-building iron, and they can be heated up in just 90 seconds.
Shop: Organic Valley Feta & Chive Egg Bites
2. Sweet Earth General Tso’s Tofu Frozen Bowl
This microwavable vegan tofu bowl contains five superfoods to give your little one a well-rounded lunch or dinner. If you’re worried about the spice level or the sodium, rinse off some of the sauce before serving.
Shop: Sweet Earth General Tso’s Tofu Frozen Bowl
3. Amy’s Black Bean Burrito
This tasty black bean burrito from Amy’s, one of the most well-known brands in the organic game, is the perfect “I can’t even” meal for when you can’t even think about cooking, let alone do it. Don’t forget to mash up the softened black beans if your baby is not used to eating whole beans yet.
Shop: Amy’s Black Bean Burrito
4. Applegate Organics The Great Organic Blend Burger
Meat burgers are great when you want to give your baby more iron-rich foods, and this particular one from Applegate Organics features humanely raised turkey blended with organic mushrooms. The patty shape is especially great for babies who still don’t have their pincer grasp.
Shop: Applegate Organics The Great Organic Blend Burger
5. Annie’s Homegrown Macaroni & Cheese
Elevate a classic mac and cheese meal with a box of Annie’s mac and cheese, which uses real cheddar and organic noodles. We promise your baby will love it.
