Core Viewpoint - The labeling of products as "children-specific" does not guarantee health benefits and instead misleads parents into high-sodium traps, as many products marketed as "low-sodium" for infants contain sodium levels exceeding those of adult low-sodium products [1][11]. Group 1: Sodium Content in Children's Products - Several children's soy sauces have sodium content higher than adult low-sodium soy sauces, with specific examples showing sodium levels of 295 mg, 409 mg, and 330 mg per 10 ml [2]. - Children's seasoning products, such as "black truffle mushroom salt," claim to reduce sodium by 42%, yet contain 1400 mg of sodium per 5 grams, which is comparable to regular seasoning [3][4]. - Common snacks like cod fish sausages also exhibit high sodium levels, with some products containing up to 774 mg of sodium per 100 grams, classifying them as high-sodium foods [4]. Group 2: Lack of Regulatory Standards - There are currently no national or industry standards specifically governing the sodium content in children's soy sauces, salts, or snacks, leading to a lack of accountability for manufacturers [9][10]. - Existing regulations for infant food products do not cover these categories, allowing high-sodium products to remain on the market without proper oversight [9][10]. Group 3: Parental Awareness and Concerns - Parents are increasingly aware of sodium intake due to health risks associated with high sodium diets, such as hypertension and other diseases, prompting them to scrutinize food labels more closely [6][8]. - The growing knowledge among parents about the metabolic limitations of infants regarding sodium has led to heightened sensitivity towards sodium content in children's foods [7][8]. Group 4: Marketing and Pricing Strategies - Companies exploit parents' desire for safe and healthy options by marketing products as "children-specific" and "low-sodium," often at a premium price, despite the actual sodium content being misleading [10][11]. - For instance, children's soy sauces are priced significantly higher than adult alternatives, yet they do not deliver on the promised lower sodium content [10].

Core Viewpoint - The labeling of products as "children's special" does not guarantee health benefits and instead misleads parents into high-sodium traps, as many products marketed as "low sodium" for infants contain sodium levels exceeding those of adult low-sodium products [1][5][16] Group 1: Sodium Content in Children's Products - A comparison of various children's soy sauces revealed that their sodium content is often higher than that of adult low-sodium soy sauces, with specific examples showing sodium levels of 295 mg, 409 mg, and 330 mg per 10 mL [2][5] - Children's seasoning products, such as "black truffle mushroom salt," claim to reduce sodium by 42%, yet contain 1400 mg of sodium per 5 grams, which is comparable to regular seasoning products [5][7] - The sodium content in popular children's snacks, like cod fish sausages, also exceeds recommended levels, with some products containing up to 774 mg of sodium per 100 grams [8][14] Group 2: Lack of Regulation and Standards - There are currently no national or industry standards specifically governing the sodium content in children's soy sauces, salts, or snacks, leading to a lack of accountability for manufacturers [13][14] - Existing standards for infant food do not cover these products, allowing high-sodium items to be marketed without restrictions [13][15] Group 3: Parental Awareness and Concerns - Parents are increasingly aware of sodium content in children's diets, driven by health concerns and educational resources highlighting the risks of high sodium intake [9][12] - The dietary guidelines emphasize that children require less salt than adults, and parents are advised to carefully design their children's diets to minimize sodium intake [10][11] Group 4: Marketing Strategies - Companies exploit parents' desire for safe and healthy products by marketing high-sodium items as "children's special" or "low sodium," often at premium prices [15][16] - The price of children's soy sauces can be significantly higher than adult versions, despite having higher sodium content, indicating a marketing strategy that prioritizes profit over health [15][16]