scholarly journals Ultra-processed foods have the worst nutrient profile, yet they are the most available packaged products in a sample of New Zealand supermarkets

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 530-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire M Luiten ◽  
Ingrid HM Steenhuis ◽  
Helen Eyles ◽  
Cliona Ni Mhurchu ◽  
Wilma E Waterlander
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Processed Foods ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Energy Unit ◽  
Industrial Processing ◽  
Nutrient Profile ◽  
Packaged Foods

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the availability of packaged food products in New Zealand supermarkets by level of industrial processing, nutrient profiling score (NPSC), price (energy, unit and serving costs) and brand variety.DesignSecondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data on packaged supermarket food and non-alcoholic beverages. Products were classified according to level of industrial processing (minimally, culinary and ultra-processed) and their NPSC.SettingPackaged foods available in four major supermarkets in Auckland, New Zealand.SubjectsPackaged supermarket food products for the years 2011 and 2013.ResultsThe majority (84 % in 2011 and 83 % in 2013) of packaged foods were classified as ultra-processed. A significant positive association was found between the level of industrial processing and NPSC, i.e. ultra-processed foods had a worse nutrient profile (NPSC=11·63) than culinary processed foods (NPSC=7·95), which in turn had a worse nutrient profile than minimally processed foods (NPSC=3·27), P<0·001. No clear associations were observed between the three price measures and level of processing. The study observed many variations of virtually the same product. The ten largest food manufacturers produced 35 % of all packaged foods available.ConclusionsIn New Zealand supermarkets, ultra-processed foods comprise the largest proportion of packaged foods and are less healthy than less processed foods. The lack of significant price difference between ultra- and less processed foods suggests ultra-processed foods might provide time-poor consumers with more value for money. These findings highlight the need to improve the supermarket food supply by reducing numbers of ultra-processed foods and by reformulating products to improve their nutritional profile.

scholarly journals Nutrient profile of 23 596 packaged supermarket foods and non-alcoholic beverages in Australia and New Zealand

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cliona Ni Mhurchu ◽  
Ryan Brown ◽  
Yannan Jiang ◽  
Helen Eyles ◽  
Elizabeth Dunford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Energy Density ◽  
Meat Products ◽  
Saturated Fat ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Nutritional Composition ◽  
Health Claims ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Nutrient Profile ◽  
Packaged Food

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the nutrient profile of packaged supermarket food products available in Australia and New Zealand. Eligibility to carry health claims and relationship between nutrient profile score and nutritional content were also evaluated.DesignNutritional composition data were collected in six major Australian and New Zealand supermarkets in 2012. Mean Food Standards Australia New Zealand Nutrient Profiling Scoring Criterion (NPSC) scores were calculated and the proportion of products eligible to display health claims was estimated. Regression analyses quantified associations between NPSC scores and energy density, saturated fat, sugar and sodium contents.ResultsNPSC scores were derived for 23 596 packaged food products (mean score 7·0, range −17 to 53). Scores were lower (better nutrient profile) for foods in Australia compared with New Zealand (mean 6·6 v. 7·8). Overall, 45 % of foods were eligible to carry health claims based on NPSC thresholds: 47 % in Australia and 41 % in New Zealand. However, less than one-third of dairy (32 %), meat and meat products (28 %) and bread and bakery products (27·5 %) were eligible to carry health claims. Conversely, >75 % of convenience food products were eligible to carry health claims (82·5 %). Each two-unit higher NPSC score was associated with higher energy density (78 kJ/100 g), saturated fat (0·95 g/100 g), total sugar (1·5 g/100 g) and sodium (66 mg/100 g; all P values<0·001).ConclusionsFewer than half of all packaged foods available in Australia and New Zealand in 2012 met nutritional criteria to carry health claims. The few healthy choices available in key staple food categories is a concern. Improvements in nutritional quality of foods through product reformulation have significant potential to improve population diets.

scholarly journals Declaration of nutrition information on and nutritional quality of Thai ready-to-eat packaged food products

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 1409-1417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suladda Pongutta ◽  
Pitipa Chongwatpol ◽  
Parwin Tantayapirak ◽  
Stefanie Vandevijvere
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Health Claims ◽  
Nutrition Information ◽  
Nutrient Profile ◽  
Profile Model ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Packaged Foods ◽  
Packaged Food

AbstractObjectiveThe present study assessed the nutrition information displayed on ready-to-eat packaged foods and the nutritional quality of those food products in Thailand.DesignIn March 2015, the nutrition information panels and nutrition and health claims on ready-to-eat packaged foods were collected from the biggest store of each of the twelve major retailers, using protocols developed by the International Network for Food and Obesity/Non-communicable Diseases Research, Monitoring and Action Support (INFORMAS). The Thai Nutrient Profile Model was used to classify food products according to their nutritional quality as ‘healthier’ or ‘less healthy’.ResultsIn total, information from 7205 food products was collected across five broad food categories. Out of those products, 5707 (79·2 %), 2536 (35·2 %) and 1487 (20·6 %) carried a nutrition facts panel, a Guideline Daily Amount (GDA) label and health-related claims, respectively. Only 4691 (65·1 %) and 2484 (34·5 %) of the products that displayed the nutrition facts or a GDA label, respectively, followed the guidelines of the Thai Food and Drug Administration. In total, 4689 products (65·1 %) could be classified according to the Thai Nutrient Profile Model, of which 432 products (9·2 %) were classified as healthier. Moreover, among the 1487 products carrying health-related claims, 1219 (82·0 %) were classified as less healthy. Allowing less healthy food products to carry claims could mislead consumers and result in overconsumption of ready-to-eat food products.ConclusionsThe findings suggest effective policies should be implemented to increase the relative availability of healthier ready-to-eat packaged foods, as well as to improve the provision of nutrition information on labels in Thailand.

scholarly journals Which companies dominate the packaged food supply of New Zealand and how healthy are their products?

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0245225
Author(s):  
Sally Mackay ◽  
Helen Eyles ◽  
Teresa Gontijo de Castro ◽  
Leanne Young ◽  
Cliona Ni Mhurchu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Market Share ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
System 2 ◽  
Packaged Foods ◽  
Processed Products ◽  
Packaged Food

Improvement of national food supplies are an opportunity to improve a country’s health. Our aim was to identify the major food companies manufacturing packaged foods and non-alcoholic beverages available in New Zealand supermarkets in 2018; to assess the healthiness of products using (1) the Health Star Rating (HSR) system, (2) Australian Dietary Guidelines classification (core/discretionary), and (3) by level of processing; to compare the healthiness of products displaying and not displaying the HSR and; to assess potential for food reformulation within selected food sub-categories. Information on packaged foods was obtained from the Nutritrack supermarket database. Companies that manufactured each food and brand were identified using company websites and the New Zealand companies register. In total, 13,506 packaged products were mapped to 1,767 brands and 1,214 companies. Based on market share of products available for sale (Euromonitor data), there were 22 dominating companies producing 31% of products and 17% of brands. Fifty-nine percent of products were classified as unhealthy (HSR <3.5/5 stars), 53% as discretionary, and 69% as ultra-processed. Products displaying the HSR on the package had a higher mean HSR ±SD than if the HSR was not displayed (3.2±1.3 versus 2.5±1.4, p = 0.000). Efforts to improve the healthiness of products should be directed to the 22 food companies dominating this market share, particularly in the core foods groups which are currently less likely to meet Heart Foundation reformulation targets (bread, breakfast cereals, cheese, canned baked beans, yoghurt). The New Zealand supermarket packaged food supply included in the Nutritrack database is dominated by a small number of companies and is mostly unhealthy. Government leadership is required to improve the healthiness of the packaged food supply and provide adequate information to consumers. This includes interventions setting reformulation targets for core food groups, setting population nutrient intake targets and mandating that the HSR is displayed on all products.

Ultra-processed foods have the worst nutrient profile, yet they are the most available packaged products in a sample of New Zealand supermarkets – CORRIGENDUM

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 539-539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire M Luiten ◽  
Ingrid HM Steenhuis ◽  
Helen Eyles ◽  
Cliona Ni Mhurchu ◽  
Wilma E Waterlander
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Processed Foods ◽  
Nutrient Profile

scholarly journals Analysis of the presence of nutrient claims on labels of ultra-processed foods directed at children and of the perception of kids on such claims

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 821-832 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natália Durigon ZUCCHI ◽  
Giovanna Medeiros Rataichesck FIATES
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Fat Content ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Front Panel ◽  
Processed Foods ◽  
Trans Fat ◽  
Nutrition Claims ◽  
Packaged Foods

ABSTRACT Objective: To characterize the presence of nutrient claims on the front-of-pack labels of ultra-processed foods directed at children and gain insight on children' views about the presence of marketing strategies and nutrient claims on labels of ultra-processed foods. Methods: Analysis of images (front panel, nutrition facts table, and ingredients list) of labels from 535 packaged foods with marketing strategies directed at children obtained in an audit-type survey conducted at a Brazilian large supermarket store. Food products with ultra-processed characteristics were identified, and the nutrient claims were quantified and described. Focus groups were conducted with children aged 8-10 years. Results: A total of 472 (88.0%) of the 535 packaged foods directed at children were classified as ultra-processed. Of these, 220 (46.6%) had one or more nutrient claims on their front-of-pack label (n=321), most (n=236, 73.5%) claiming the presence/increased quantities of vitamins and minerals. The most common 'free/reduced' content claim regarded trans fat content (n=48). The focus groups allowed the identification of a noticeable influence of nutrition claims on children, who considered the emphasis important but were confused by the meaning and focus of such claims. Conclusion: Highlighted nutrient claims on the packages of ultra-processed foods were common and seemed to influence the children's perception of the products' quality as a whole. The results indicate the need of thoroughly reviewing the legislation on nutrient claims on the packages of ultra-processed foods.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Types of Non-Nutritive Sweeteners in the New Zealand Food Supply, 2013 and 2019

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 3228
Author(s):  
Rachel Nunn ◽  
Leanne Young ◽  
Cliona Ni Mhurchu
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Food Industry ◽  
Consumer Demand ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Adverse Health Outcomes ◽  
Food Standards ◽  
Packaged Foods ◽  
Packaged Food ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Ongoing Monitoring

The widely recognized association between high sugar intakes and adverse health outcomes has increased consumer demand for products lower in sugar. This may lead to increased use of other sweeteners by the food industry. The current study investigated the prevalence and types of non-nutritive sweeteners over time (2013–2019) in New Zealand’s packaged food and beverages, overall and between categories. A New Zealand database of packaged foods and beverages was used to investigate the presence of Food Standards Australia New Zealand Code-approved non-nutritive sweeteners (n = 12). Products available in 2013 (n = 12,153) and 2019 (n = 14,645) were compared. Between 2013 and 2019, the prevalence of non-nutritive sweeteners in products increased from 3% to 5%. The most common non-nutritive sweeteners in both years were acesulphame-potassium, sucralose, aspartame, and stevia, which were predominantly found in special foods (breakfast beverages and nutritional supplements), non-alcoholic beverages, dairy products, and confectionery. The prevalence of non-nutritive sweeteners is increasing over time in New Zealand’s packaged foods and beverages and is likely a consequence of consumer demand for lower-sugar products. Ongoing monitoring of the prevalence and type of NNS is important to detect further increases.

scholarly journals Energy, Sugars, Iron, and Vitamin B12 Content of Commercial Infant Food Pouches and Other Commercial Infant Foods on the New Zealand Market

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 657 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioanna Katiforis ◽  
Elizabeth A Fleming ◽  
Jillian J Haszard ◽  
Tiana Hape-Cramond ◽  
Rachael W Taylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Vitamin B12 ◽  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Infant Food ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Free Sugars ◽  
Total Sugars ◽  
Added Sugars ◽  
Infant Foods

There has been an important shift in the New Zealand infant food market over the past decade, with the majority of complementary foods now sold in “pouches”. Along with the increasing market share of commercial infant food pouches internationally, there have been growing concerns about their nutritional quality. However, research examining the nutritional quality of these pouches compared to other forms of commercial infant foods in New Zealand has not been undertaken. Nor have any studies reported the free sugars or added sugars content of these foods. To address this knowledge gap, a cross-sectional survey of infant foods sold in New Zealand supermarkets was conducted in 2019–2020. Recipes and nutrient lines were developed for the 266 foods identified (133 food pouches). The energy, iron, vitamin B12, total sugars, free sugars, and added sugars content of infant food pouches and other forms of commercial infant foods per 100 g were compared, both within food groups and by age group. Infant food pouches contained similar median amounts of energy, iron, and vitamin B12 to other forms of commercial infant foods but contained considerably more total sugars (8.4 g/100 g vs. 2.3 g/100 g). However, median free sugars and added sugars content was very low across all food groups except for “dairy” and “sweet snacks”. All “dry cereals” were fortified with iron whereas none of the infant food pouches were. Therefore, consuming food pouches to the exclusion of other commercial infant foods may place infants at risk of iron deficiency if they do not receive sufficient iron from other sources.

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