Best Organic Baby Food: A Comprehensive Buyers’ Guide And Reviews

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Published by 
Jess Miller
Last updated: 
April 19, 2024
organic food

As parents, one of the most important decisions we make for our kids is the food we choose for them. Food preferences, tastes and habits start early in life and we can teach our kids to love healthy options by starting them off with the freshest, most delicious options. With a culture that tells us that babies, toddlers and kids hate to eat healthy, how can we ensure that our kids choose good food options and actually enjoy fruits and vegetables?

If you have the luxury of growing your fruits and vegetables in your backyard, you know exactly where your child's food is coming from and what's in it. Unfortunately, many of us don't have that option whether it be due to location or simply lack of time. Your best bet? Organic baby food.

If you're reading this article, you probably already know that organically grown produce is better for the environment, our health, and especially better for our kids.

All parents want the absolute best for their kids, which is why it can be difficult pinpointing the perfect brand of baby food that will yield the most benefits. Let's take a closer look at some of my favorite organic brands, as well as why they can prove to be beneficial to your infant.

organic

Organic Baby Food FAQs

Every child's taste preference and nutritional needs are different, therefore it can be hard to decide which route to go. Before going over some of the best organic baby food brands, let's take a quick look at some frequently asked questions first.

What Does It Mean When They Say Organic?

Organic products are grown and processed according to federal guidelines addressing soil quality, animal raising practices, pest and weed control, and use of additives. In an organic product, there are no synthetics, radiation, sewage or GMO's added into the mix.

Scientists also discovered that organic products are better for eaters thanks to the use of organic farming methods that build healthier soils, produce less pollution, and protect ecosystems.

Where Can You Buy Organic Baby Food?

You can find organic baby food at your regular grocery store. If the store doesn't have the specific brand you need, though, online websites have plenty of variety.

Why Go Organic?

Synthetic toxins are bad for anyone, but newborn infants are especially vulnerable to the toxic chemicals used in conventional farming. Even low levels of these toxins can have far-reaching effects on a baby's health.

Organic farmers do not use toxic chemical pesticides or herbicides. They use crop rotation and natural fertilizers like composted manure to add nutrients to the soil instead of synthetic and petroleum-based fertilizers.

Essentially going organic contributes to our well-being as well as the environment's well-being.

Organic vs. Conventional Baby Food

Organic vs conventional

Organic and conventional baby foods have some fundamental differences, so having the facts can help parents make informed decisions about what’s best for their little one.

Most baby foods are made from cooking, pureeing, and packaging fresh foods. For non-organic baby foods, the sourced food is grown using conventional farming or ranching methods. Most conventional baby foods are inexpensive due to the conventional methods used.

In order for baby food (or any other food) to carry an organic label, it must meet the strict standards set by the USDA's National Organic Program. If your baby food comes with an organic label, it comes from fruits and vegetables that are not sprayed with chemical pesticides. Nothing organic contains artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

An organic product will always have a USDA Organic Seal. Sometimes a company will try to use words like "all-natural" or home-grown" to try and convince you it's organic, but no matter what they tell you, the product isn't organic if it does not have the seal.

So if you are looking for baby food that is specifically organic, look for a label and be careful to avoid any tricky wording.

Benefits of Organic Baby Food

adorable-baby-bowl-child

The organic baby food provides various health benefits such as protection from certain diseases, including cancer, tumors, untimely aging, and impotency caused by exposure to harmful chemical residues or metals over a long period.

One of the best things about feeding organic food to your baby is that it is easily digestible and does not cause any harm to the baby's digestive system. A happy tummy equals a happy baby.

Not only does it make babies happy, but it makes the Earth happy as well. Conventional farming methods rob the soil of nutrients and kills off the bacteria and microbes that are necessary for healthy soil. Many organic farmers consider themselves “soil farmers” because their focus is on maintaining healthy soil with good levels of beneficial bacteria, microbes, and fungi. If we don't take care of our Earth, we'll have to suffer the consequences as well.

How To Choose The Best Organic Baby Food

best organic baby food

Now you know the benefits of going the organic route, and now it's time to learn how to choose the best brand for your baby. Listed below are some key factors you will want to consider when choosing which organic baby food you are going to purchase.

  • Nutritional Value: How much nutritional value does it yield? Choose brands that target a lot of different needs.
  • Ingredients:  How pure are the ingredients that are utilized in the recipe? There shouldn't be too much added sugar.
  • Taste: How does the food taste? Babies have taste buds, to, and it'll be easier to feed your baby if the food tastes good.
  • Price: How does its price compare to the rest? You want to get the most for your dollar.
  • Packaging: How is the product packaged? If it is packaged well, it's more convenient for you in the long run.

Taking these factors into consideration will help you pick the best organic option for your baby, and as parents we want the best!

Most Popular Baby Food Brands

We've been over all the basics of organic baby food, and now you may be thinking that it's time to buy some. With so many varieties, though, how can you possibly know where to start? Let's take a look at some brands that are popular among today's mothers.

Earth's Best Organics

Earth's Best Organics is one of the most well-known brands of organic baby food and it was one of the first to be certified organic.

As a company they've been working hard to create yummy food since 1985.  They work with individual farmers to ensure the highest level of quality and nutrition. All foods are guaranteed to be 100% certified and GMO-free.

As of now, they have a line of over 60 fruit and vegetable purees that can be bought in cans or pouches. The variety and authenticity that Earth's Best Organics brings to the table makes them a brand that's preferred by many.

Plum Organics

This brand is unique in that instead of using jars, the food comes in pouches. Mothers love these pouches because they're super convenient while on the go. Just throw one in your diaper bag. It's great not having to worry about shattered glass, something you do not want to have anywhere near a newborn.

Of course, all products are certified as USDA organic. The only thing that may strike a red flag to some is that there's some controversy about the "made in china" label, but in actuality only the packaging is made in china, not the actual ingredients.

Happy Baby Total Nutrition

Happy Baby is part of the Happy Family Organics brand line. Happy Family includes products for moms including prenatal snacks, supplements, infant formula and baby's first foods.

The company started in 2003 when the founder saw her friends struggling with a lack of healthy options for baby food.

They were the first to introduce pouches to the baby market, and they also came out with some of the first gluten-free baby products after they recognized that introduction of gluten too early on can lead to painful digestive intolerance that can last a lifetime.

Gerber Organic

Gerber is one of the most trusted names on the market. For years they have been making baby products that we all have come to know and love.

Their line of organic baby food is starch-free and without any synthetic additives. With an endless amount of yummy flavors, there's sure to be something for even the most fussy of babies.

​Beech-Nut

Beech-Nut is a small company located in Amsterdam, New York. They strive every day to bring the goodness of nature to parents and babies through real food. They also care about the environment, which is why they made a “green” energy-efficient building.

AT Beech-Nut, they homemade as their inspiration. Less is more. You'll never find anything extra or unnecessary in their formulas.

Many mothers love this brand because they know exactly what they are getting. Their formula is one of the most simple compared to others on the market.

Top 7 Best Organic Baby Food Brands

As a mother, I only want the best for my children. That's why I only invest in the best organic baby food brands. Sometimes choosing the best can be difficult if you don't have all of the right information.

Luckily for you, I have compiled a detailed list of eight of best organic baby food brands on the market. That way, from all of the information you will be able to make a comprehensive decision on which kind is best for your infant.

Once Upon a Farm Organic Baby Food

  • Eco-friendly packaging
  • Kosher
  • Comes in a large variety of flavors
  • thumbs-upKeep flavor intact by using high pressure

This company was founded by two visionary people, Cassandra Curtis and Ari Raz, in 2015, with the mission to bring healthy baby food to children in mind. With the band of Nutrition Experts and Pediatricians they have on their panel, the team works for their mott

Curators at Once Upon a Farm truly believe that a lifetime full of healthy eating starts with the very first bite that your toddler takes. That’s why they strive to only bring fresh, organic, non-GMO food from local farms directly to your dinner table.

To keep the food as unaltered from its original form on the farm, they use high pressure. Once Upon a Farm cares about taste just as much as flavor, therefore the flavors and aromas are all kept intact with HPP, and so are the textures, colors, and taste. There is nothing artificial about their process, just simple farming.

Aside from the taste and nutritional value, the packaging comes with a transparent window to have a look and feel of what you are buying for your loved ones.

Even though this brand is not as well-known, Once Upon a Farm becomes a quick favorite thanks to their attention to detail and genuine care for their consumers.

​Gerber Organics

  • Utilize clean field farming
  • A trusted name brand for years
  • Over 50 types of  flavors
  • thumbs-upJars and pouches

Gerber is a brand we have all  come to know and love. Over the years they have proved themselves to be one of the biggest go-to companies when it comes to baby products.

Quality has always been a prime focus to Gerber, and baby food is no exception. They have a line of over fifty organic flavor combinations that are free of sweeteners, salt or gluten. With so many flavors there is something for every baby, and parents have the option to pick between jars or pouches.

Not only does Gerber have a line of organic baby food, but all of their baby food utilizes clean field farming. This means that they know where every fruit and veggie is grown. To keep the nutrients naturally, they rotate the crops instead of adding fake nutrients.

Ultimately, Gerber Organics is a well-loved brand because of their attention to quality and the fact that they are one of the most trusted names in the industry.

​Earth's Best Organics

  • Optimal nutrition and flavor
  • Over sixty fruits and veggie purees
  • Jars or pouches
  • thumbs-upNo added sugar, starch or artificial flavors

From the day that Earth’s Best® was founded in 1985, they’ve been recognized as a brand dedicated to offering wholesome, safe products for little ones. In fact, they were one of the first baby food brands to become certified as organic.

They have over sixty fruit and vegetable purees in jars or pouches (single ingredients for stage 1, blends for stage 2, and chunky blends for stage 3), and they take great care in ensuring that all of the ingredients they use are not only organic, but provide optimal nutrition and flavor as well.

Their products are very high quality, and that is made obvious by the labeling. For example, the "First Carrot" food lists the ingredients as "organic carrots, water." Nothing  else. You can rest assured that there are no added sugars, salts, artificial flavors  or preservatives of any kind. It's fantastic.

Since there are no preservatives, though, that means that you have to use it all up within one day of opening the jar or you should throw it away. They are readily available in most food or baby stores, but if you are looking to save money they are cheaper if purchased online. All things considered, though, Earth's Best Organics is an excellent organic baby food brand.

​Peter Rabbit Organics

  • Great tasting flavors
  • BPA-free packaging
  • Only fruits and veggies 
  • thumbs-up100% USDA certified organic

Peter Rabbit Organics is a baby food line by Pumpkin Tree Snacks that is dedicated to bringing the best quality baby food "pouch" to the market.

Every ingredient that they use is 100% USDA certified organic. They use nothing but fruits and veggies - they even skip out on natural flavorings to ensure that what you are getting is straight from the garden. All mixes are packaged into a pouch that's perfect for on the go snacking.

Curators at Pumpkin Tree Snacks understand that taste is just as important as nutrition, which is why they've made a large variety of yummy flavor combinations to choose. From sweet fruit blends to savory veggies mixes, there's  something for even the pickiest little ones.

Overall, Peter Rabbit Organics is great brand when it comes to organic baby food because they never fail to bring pure, fresh transparency to the table.

​Ella's Kitchen

  • 100% USDA certified organic
  • Great tasting flavors
  • Kid-friendly packaging
  • thumbs-upNo additives or thickeners

Ella’s Kitchen is a UK based international company that sells organic baby and toddler foods across the US, Canada and Europe. All of their products are 100% USDA certified organic, which means that you will not find any artificial preservatives, additives  or thickeners.

Ella’s Kitchen approaches food from a child’s point of view, keeping their tastes and preferences in mind. This is clear in their yummy recipes, as well as the names of their products and their fun, bold and colorful packaging.

The products are divided into four categories – Ella’s 1 for babies 4 months and up (Stage 1), Ella’s 2 for babies 6 months and up (Stage 2 and 3), 1+ Years, and Big Kids.

This organic brand is great for little ones because it teaches them early on that healthy food can be tasty and fun.

​Happy Baby Total Nutrition

  • Optimized with probiotics
  • Parent-friendly packaging
  • Large Variety of flavors
  • thumbs-upMess-free

From day one, it's been their mission to change the trajectory of children's health through nutrition. As a true partner to parents, Happy Baby Nutrition fuels confidence, health, and ultimately happiness. They provide organic and delicious options for your baby's nutritional journey, and develop premium organic recipes perfectly matched with your child's age and stage. This is enlightened nutrition for every family.

Happy Baby started with premium organic frozen baby food purees, and has come out with innovative products ever since. Their Happy Bellies Probiotic Cereal was the first organic baby cereal on the market to be optimized with probiotics (for healthy digestion) and DHA (for brain and eye development), and continues to be the best selling nationwide.

The products themselves are lightweight, easy to store and carry, and let older babies feed themselves mess-free. Their clear pouches also allow you to see the goodness right away.

Happy Baby is a brand you can trust when it comes to choosing the right kind of food for your infant.

​Plum Organics

  • 100% USDA certified organic
  • Excellent for busy moms
  • Tasty flavors
  • thumbs-upGreat nutritional value

Plum Organics is another brand name whose popularity can be easily justified. Their philosophy is to help babies from pregnancy through two years to develop a taste for healthy foods.

Plum Organics recognizes that proper nutrition is important during all stages of development, which is why they provide different kinds of foods depending on the age of your infant. Essentially the food grows along with your baby.

Their foods include simple, organic ingredients such as whole grains, fruits and veggies. All ingredients come from the United States - no exceptions.

This company is best known for their organic baby food pouches or "pouchies." They're super convenient on the go, and you never have to worry about the hassle about getting the perfect temperature with their foods. Just simply take the pouch out of the fridge and pour it into a bowl. No boiling or microwaving necessary.

Overall Purple Organics is a great organic option for moms with busy schedules.

Top Rated Pick: Happy Baby Total Nutrition

top rated

The verdict is in. After looking at some of the most viable organic baby food brands on the market, it's safe to conclude that Happy Baby Total Nutrition is the best you can get.

As a mother, I want the best for my kids, and this certainly seems like the smartest option. It's very affordable, and there are so many natural sources of nutrition packed in. It was the first to be optimized with probiotics, DHA, and continues to be the best selling nationwide.

How The Top Brands Were Picked

You may be wondering how I chose these prenatal vitamins as my top picks. The answer is simple - it all rendered on what would be best for my children. As a mother, all I want is the best for my kids, and these top seven brands are steps in the right direction.

Reading Organic Labels

Believe it or not, only food labels that use the term “100% Organic” ensure a completely organic product. Listed below are the most commonly seen organic labels and what they actually mean.

  • Organic: food items must have a minimum of 95% organic ingredients, either by weight or fluid, excluding water and salt
  • Certified Organic: foods must be grown according to strict uniform standards that are verified by independent states or private organizations
  • 100% Organic: these food must contain only ingredients classified as organic
  • checkTransitional: these are foods produced during the three-year transition period between the conversion of conventional and organic food production.
  • checkMade With Organic Materials: must be made with a minimum of 70% organic materials

A company may say that their product is organic, but organic can mean many different things. To know to what degree your child's baby food is organic, look for any of these keywords.

Making Your Own Organic Baby Food

organic baby food recipe

You may be thinking to yourself that you'd rather not spend the money on already made baby food, or you may not have had the time to go out and buy some. If that's you, you should know that making your own baby food is always an option.

​The process is super simple once you get the hang of it. Peel the organic produce of your choice, ​and then puree it using a blender or fork. If the produce doesn't mash easily, it's safe to roast it prior to pureeing it.

​As said before, the process is like a piece of cake, but there are several key things you should take note of.

Always make sure to serve the food no warmer than room temperature. Adding a little salt is okay, but do not sweeten your baby's food. Babies do not need any extra sugar, and they never need honey. Honey can cause botulism - a potentially fatal form of food poisoning.

Final Thoughts

Good nutrition is important throughout all of life, but especially during the first few years. Your baby will take what she needs from you no matter what, which is why it's important to have enough nutrients stored up for the two of you.

Organic vitamins are an excellent alternative to regular prenatal vitamins because they contain all the essential nutrients, without synthetic additives.

Finding the perfect fit for you can be a hassle due to the endless amount of options. My hope is that after reading this full guide on the best organic prenatal vitamins, you will be able to make a comprehensive purchasing decision. Just remember to never self-diagnose. If you are concerned that you are missing certain vitamins or minerals, talk with your doctor to figure out what your next step should be.

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