Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences
Open Access

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence-Enhanced Assessment of Lipid Profiles in Commercial Infant Foods in the United States

Clement G. Yedjou, Kevine Makoudjou, Monica Ochapa, Jinwei Liu, Samia Messeha and Paul B. Tchounwou*

Introduction: Normal consumption of lipids is essential for optimal baby growth and neurological development, yet comprehensive analysis of lipid content in commercial baby foods remains limited. This study provides the first systematic, AI-enhanced assessment of lipid profiles across commercially available infant food products.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 245 commercial baby food products was conducted using artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms for data processing and pattern recognition. Among the 245 commercial baby food products in the United States, 25 products have zero lipid content, while 220 products contain lipids ranging from 0.1 to 28.58 g of lipids. Products were categorized by total lipid content per 100g into four groups: Zero (0.0g), Low (≤ 1.0g), Moderate (>1.0-5.0g), and High (>5.0g). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and correlation analysis between ingredient profiles and lipid content.

Results: Our analysis revealed that zero-lipid foods for infants comprised 10.2% of food products and were exclusively fruit-based, naturally low in fat, and suitable for early feeding, but limited in energy input. Low-lipid foods for infants accounted for the largest dataset and represented 45.3%, consisting of vegetable purées, fruit purées, and diluted fruit formulations, which reflect typical plant-based lipid profiles yet potentially require complementary higher-fat foods to meet caloric needs. The moderate-lipid food products accounted for 33.9% of the dataset. These food products included grain-vegetable mixtures, fortified fruit blends, and enriched beverages, indicating the incorporation of added oils and/or higher-fat natural ingredients to provide balanced energy.

High-lipid foods such as fortified cereals, meat-based meals, and snack-type products made up 10% of the dataset. These items provide significant energy, which is especially important for infants between 6 months and 2 years old, as they have increased caloric needs relative to their size.

Conclusion: Using AI and machine learning, this analysis revealed that baby foods on the market show clear variations in fat content linked to their main ingredients. Since many foods are high in fat, caregivers may need to make intentional choices to ensure infants receive adequate energy. These findings offer valuable reference points for parents, pediatric nutrition advice, and future regulatory decisions.

Published Date: 2026-02-20; Received Date: 2026-01-17