BARI

BARI was founded in 2025 by two sisters who grew up in an Asian household where food was more than just a nourishment; each meal was a reminder of Korean culture, an act of love, and care passed down across generations. As a mother and an aunt, we assumed we would feed the next generation the same foods we were raised on. Instead, we were told to avoid it altogether. When Victoria, BARI's CEO and co-founder, was raising her first born in Austin, Texas, she was told by a U.S. pediatrician that rice is unsafe due to heavy metal concerns. This was shocking to hear. Rice is the foundation of nearly every meal in Asian cultures, consumed by more than half of the world every day. As we looked closer at the U.S. baby food aisle, the problem with food safety and quality nutrition became clearer. Independent testing in 2021 revealed that nearly 95% of baby food products tested contained heavy metals above FDA guidelines. Ingredient-wise, shelves were dominated by repetitive formulations built around one or two base ingredients, often paired with high sugar content from fruits to extend shelf life rather than support infant development. Parents were left choosing between convenience and nutritional balance, with few truly safe, nutritionally balanced, or culturally inclusive options. BARI was created to change that. We returned to South Korea, where agricultural practices and food safety systems are among the most tightly regulated in the world. BARI uses freshly milled, certified organic Korean rice and applies rigorous third-party testing to every production batch. Our products include rice porridge, sugar-free and caffeine-free baby teas, and Asian-inspired ready-to-eat meal pouches, developed using infant-grade safety standards. BARI is built on research showing that the first 24 months shape lifelong health. We introduce diverse ingredients, flavors, and textures inspired by Asian cuisines. All formulations are overseen by Professor Ji-Hyun Yoon (Ph.D., R.D.) of Seoul National University. BARI is a family-led collaboration between sisters and nutrition experts. We empower parents to pass down culture with confidence in safety and quality.