Ultra-processed foods: what they are and how to identify them

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 936-941 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos A Monteiro ◽  
Geoffrey Cannon ◽  
Renata B Levy ◽  
Jean-Claude Moubarac ◽  
Maria LC Louzada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Media Coverage ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Food Group ◽  
Processed Foods ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Industrial Processing ◽  
Frequent Use ◽  
High Fructose ◽  
Emulsifying Salts

AbstractThe present commentary contains a clear and simple guide designed to identify ultra-processed foods. It responds to the growing interest in ultra-processed foods among policy makers, academic researchers, health professionals, journalists and consumers concerned to devise policies, investigate dietary patterns, advise people, prepare media coverage, and when buying food and checking labels in shops or at home. Ultra-processed foods are defined within the NOVA classification system, which groups foods according to the extent and purpose of industrial processing. Processes enabling the manufacture of ultra-processed foods include the fractioning of whole foods into substances, chemical modifications of these substances, assembly of unmodified and modified food substances, frequent use of cosmetic additives and sophisticated packaging. Processes and ingredients used to manufacture ultra-processed foods are designed to create highly profitable (low-cost ingredients, long shelf-life, emphatic branding), convenient (ready-to-consume), hyper-palatable products liable to displace all other NOVA food groups, notably unprocessed or minimally processed foods. A practical way to identify an ultra-processed product is to check to see if its list of ingredients contains at least one item characteristic of the NOVA ultra-processed food group, which is to say, either food substances never or rarely used in kitchens (such as high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated or interesterified oils, and hydrolysed proteins), or classes of additives designed to make the final product palatable or more appealing (such as flavours, flavour enhancers, colours, emulsifiers, emulsifying salts, sweeteners, thickeners, and anti-foaming, bulking, carbonating, foaming, gelling and glazing agents).

scholarly journals Diet and Economic Modelling to Improve the Quality and Affordability of the Australian Diet for Low and Medium Socioeconomic Households

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 5771
Author(s):  
Michelle Blumfield ◽  
Carlene Starck ◽  
Tim Keighley ◽  
Peter Petocz ◽  
Anna Roesler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diet Quality ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Food Group ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Economic Modelling ◽  
Processed Foods ◽  
Added Sugars ◽  
Processing Level ◽  
Nutrient Density ◽  
The Impact

Food costs are a barrier to healthier diet selections, particularly for low socioeconomic households who regularly choose processed foods containing refined grains, added sugars, and added fats. In this study, the objectives were to: (i) identify the nutrient density-to-cost ratio of Australian foods; (ii) model the impact of substituting foods with lower nutrient density-to-cost ratio with those with the highest nutrient density-to-cost ratio for diet quality and affordability in low and medium socioeconomic households; and (iii) evaluate food processing levels. Foods were categorized, coded for processing level, analysed for nutrient density and cost, and ranked by nutrient density-to-cost ratio. The top quartile of nutrient dense, low-cost foods included 54% unprocessed (vegetables and reduced fat dairy), 33% ultra-processed (fortified wholegrain bread and breakfast cereals <20 g sugars/100 g), and 13% processed (fruit juice and canned legumes). Using substitution modelling, diet quality improved by 52% for adults and 71% for children across all households, while diet affordability improved by 25% and 27% for low and medium socioeconomic households, respectively. The results indicate that the quality and affordability of the Australian diet can be improved when nutritious, low-cost foods are selected. Processing levels in the healthier modelled diets suggest that some ultra-processed foods may provide a beneficial source of nutrition when consumed within national food group recommendations.

scholarly journals What to expect from the price of healthy and unhealthy foods over time? The case from Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 579-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuella Gomes Maia ◽  
Camila Mendes dos Passos ◽  
Renata Bertazzi Levy ◽  
Ana Paula Bortoletto Martins ◽  
Laís Amaral Mais ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Group ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Processed Foods ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Fractional Polynomial ◽  
National Estimates ◽  
Over Time

AbstractObjective:To measure change in price of food groups over time (1995–2030) in Brazil, considering the Brazilian Dietary Guidelines’ recommendations.Design:Data from the Household Budget Survey (2008–2009 HBS) and the National System of Consumer Price Indexes (NSCPI) were used to create a data set containing monthly prices for the foods and beverages most consumed in the country (n 102), from January 1995 to December 2017. Data on price of foods and beverages from 2008–2009 HBS (referring to January 2009) were used to calculate real price over time using the monthly variation in prices from NSCPI. All prices were deflated to December 2017. Foods and beverages were classified following the Brazilian Dietary Guidelines’ recommendations. The monthly price for each food group and subgroup was used to analyse changes in prices from 1995 to 2017 and to forecast prices up to 2030 using fractional polynomial models.Setting:Brazil.Participants:National estimates of foods and beverages purchased for Brazil.Results:In 1995, ultra-processed foods were the most expensive group (R$ 6·51/kg), followed by processed foods (R$ 6·44/kg), then unprocessed or minimally processed foods and culinary ingredients (R$ 3·45/kg). Since the early 2000s, the price of ultra-processed foods underwent successive reductions, becoming cheaper than processed foods and reducing the distance between it and the price of the other group. Forecasts indicate that unhealthy foods will become cheaper than healthy foods in 2026.Conclusions:Food prices in Brazil have changed unfavourably considering the Brazilian Dietary Guidelines’ recommendations. This may imply a decrease in the quality of the population’s diet.

scholarly journals Sensory-Related Industrial Additives in the US Packaged Food Supply

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilyn Tseng ◽  
Camille J. Grigsby ◽  
Abigail Austin ◽  
Samir Amin ◽  
Aydin Nazmi
Keyword(s):  
Food Group ◽  
Processed Foods ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Group Data ◽  
The Us ◽  
Increase Risk ◽  
Sensory Qualities ◽  
Packaged Foods ◽  
Packaged Food

Background: Increasing evidence suggests that ultra-processed foods (UPFs) lead to elevated risk of obesity-related conditions, but UPF measurement has been criticized for its subjectivity and lack of clarity on biological mechanism. Sensory-related industrial additives (SRIAs) are a defining feature of UPFs and may encourage overconsumption by enhancing the sensory quality of foods. However, practical challenges have prevented systematic incorporation of SRIAs into UPF measurement.Objective: The objectives of this work were to describe a new, open-source ingredient list search method and to apply this method to describe the presence of SRIAs in US packaged foods.Methods: We developed computer coding to search for 64 common SRIAs related to sweetness, flavor, appearance, and texture in 241,688 foods in the US Branded Food Products Database (BFPD). The BFPD includes manufacturer-provided ingredient lists for ~300,000 branded and private label food items. We determined the total number of SRIAs (0–64) and the number of different types of SRIAs (sweetness, flavor, appearance, texture, 0–4) in each food, then calculated the percent of all foods with SRIAs. This was done for all foods, and by food group for 224,098 items with food group data.Results: Most (64.9%) foods in the BFPD contained at least one SRIA, and more than a third had at least three. Sweets (89.5%), beverages (84.9%), and ready-to-eat (RTE) foods (82.0%) were the most likely to contain SRIAs. With respect to SRIA types, 25.7% of all food items had at least three of the four types of SRIAs examined, with texture-related additives being the most common. Among sweets, 20% had all four types of SRIAs.Discussion: This work confirms the high prevalence of SRIAs in US packaged foods. They are ubiquitous in sweets, beverages, and RTE foods, but also present in substantial proportions of other food groups. Quantifying the presence of SRIAs in ingredient lists offers a novel way to identify UPFs for research; to distinguish more vs. less ultra-processed foods; and to test whether UPFs increase risk for obesity-related conditions through additives that enhance the product's sensory qualities.

Inadequate Dietary Intakes: Among Pregnant Women

2012 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer K. Fowler ◽  
Susan E. Evers ◽  
M. Karen Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Food Group ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Dietary Intakes ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Eating Behaviours ◽  
Prenatal Health ◽  
Canadian City ◽  
Minimum Number ◽  
Health Project

Purpose: Eating behaviours were assessed among pregnant women in a mid-sized Canadian city. Methods: As part of the Prenatal Health Project, we interviewed 2313 pregnant women in London, Ontario. Subjects also completed a food frequency questionnaire. Recruitment took place in ultrasound clinics at 10 to 22 weeks of gestation. The main outcome measures were number of daily servings for each food group, measured against the minimum number recommended by the 2007 Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide (CFG), the proportion of women consuming the recommended number of servings for each and all of the four food groups, and factors associated with adequate consumption. We also determined the number of servings of “other foods.” Analysis included descriptive statistics and logistic regression, all at p<0.05. Results: A total of 3.5% of women consumed the recommended number of servings for all four food groups; 15.3% did not consume the minimum number of servings of foods for any of the four food groups. Women for whom this was their first pregnancy were less likely to consume the recommended number of servings from all four food groups (odds ratio=0.41; confidence interval=0.23, 0.74). Conclusions: Very few pregnant women consumed food group servings consistent with the 2007 recommendations. Strategies to improve dietary behaviours must focus on the establishment of healthy eating behaviours among women of reproductive age.

scholarly journals Effects of Indigenous Diet Iron Content and Location on Hemoglobin Levels of Ghanaians

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2710 ◽  
Author(s):  
April Callister ◽  
Joanna Gautney ◽  
Christina Aguilar ◽  
Julian Chan ◽  
David Aguilar
Keyword(s):  
Food Group ◽  
Food Type ◽  
Plant Proteins ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Sex Distribution ◽  
Dietary Interventions ◽  
Food Frequency ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Ease Of Access ◽  
The Impact

Multiple studies have demonstrated strong links between diet and anemia, but few have explored the impact of food groups on hemoglobin (Hb). We analyzed the correlation between Ghanaian diet and Hb levels to explore reduction of anemia prevalence through dietary interventions. Demographics, food frequency questionnaires (FFQ), and blood samples were obtained from 140 volunteers (ages 18–65) in five locations across Ghana. Hb was measured; estimated iron consumption was calculated. FFQ items were grouped by food type, and a regression analysis was performed to determine the most important dietary predictors of Hb. Moreover, 47% of total participants were anemic; 64% of females and 28% of males. Hb levels were highest in Mole (13.9 g/dL, SD = ±1.9), independent of sex distribution. The regression model revealed a 62.7% adjusted correlation between food groups and Hb levels. Animal foods (β = 0.016, t = 5.08, p < 0.01) and plant protein (β = 0.013, t = 2.86, p < 0.01) were the most influential groups to Hb levels. It is of vital importance to emphasize the benefits of consuming animal foods and plant proteins within the Ghanaian population. The ease of access to plant proteins makes it likely that this food group will be most influential and have the greatest impact in reduction of anemia in the Ghanaian population.

Vaccine Hesitancy and Differential Susceptibility to Media Coverage: A Critical Documentary Led to Substantial Reductions in Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Uptake in Denmark

2021 ◽  
pp. 0272989X2110035
Author(s):  
Maria Knoth Humlum ◽  
Niels Skipper ◽  
Peter Rønø Thingholm
Keyword(s):  
Human Papillomavirus ◽  
Hpv Vaccine ◽  
Media Coverage ◽  
Differential Susceptibility ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Human Papillomavirus Vaccine ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Papillomavirus Vaccine

Objectives To investigate whether negative media coverage of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine led to a decrease in the uptake of the first dose of the HPV vaccine (HPV1) in Denmark and, importantly, whether some groups of individuals were more susceptible to negative media coverage. Methods We measured HPV vaccine uptake of 12-year-old girls born in 2001 to 2004 using Danish administrative data. A quasi-experimental design was employed to assess whether a documentary that was critical of the HPV vaccine and aired in March 2015 affected HPV uptake. Results The documentary led to a quick and substantial decrease in the monthly propensity to vaccinate, which dropped 3 percentage points—or about 50%—in response to the documentary. Responses differed substantially across subgroups, and girls from families with high socioeconomic status (SES) were more susceptible to the negative media coverage. Conclusions Susceptibility to negative media coverage varied substantially across subgroups, highlighting the need for policy makers to appropriately target and differentiate initiatives to improve vaccine compliance rates.

scholarly journals The food patterns of a multicenter cohort of Brazilian nulliparous pregnant women

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria J. Miele ◽  
Renato T. Souza ◽  
Iracema M. Calderon ◽  
Francisco E. Feitosa ◽  
Débora F. Leite ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Good Representation ◽  
Processed Foods ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Dietary Recall ◽  
Complex Process ◽  
Nutrient Consumption ◽  
Main Components

AbstractAssessment of human nutrition is a complex process, in pregnant women identify dietary patterns through mean nutrient consumption can be an opportunity to better educate women on how to improve their overall health through better eating. This exploratory study aimed to identify a posteriori dietary patterns in a cohort of nulliparous pregnant women. The principal component analysis (PCA) technique was performed, with Varimax orthogonal rotation of data extracted from the 24-h dietary recall, applied at 20 weeks of gestation. We analysed 1.145 dietary recalls, identifying five main components that explained 81% of the dietary pattern of the sample. Dietary patterns found were: Obesogenic, represented by ultra-processed foods, processed foods, and food groups rich in carbohydrates, fats and sugars; Traditional, most influenced by natural, minimally processed foods, groups of animal proteins and beans; Intermediate was similar to the obesogenic, although there were lower loads; Vegetarian, which was the only good representation of fruits, vegetables and dairy products; and Protein, which best represented the groups of proteins (animal and vegetable). The obesogenic and intermediate patterns represented over 37% of the variation in food consumption highlighting the opportunity to improve maternal health especially for women at first mothering.

scholarly journals Food and Food Groups in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): The Design of the Groningen Anti-Inflammatory Diet (GrAID)

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1067
Author(s):  
Marjo J. E. Campmans-Kuijpers ◽  
Gerard Dijkstra
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Bowel Disease ◽  
Bowel Disease ◽  
Food Group ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Group Level ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Diet plays a pivotal role in the onset and course of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Patients are keen to know what to eat to reduce symptoms and flares, but dietary guidelines are lacking. To advice patients, an overview of the current evidence on food (group) level is needed. This narrative review studies the effects of food (groups) on the onset and course of IBD and if not available the effects in healthy subjects or animal and in vitro IBD models. Based on this evidence the Groningen anti-inflammatory diet (GrAID) was designed and compared on food (group) level to other existing IBD diets. Although on several foods conflicting results were found, this review provides patients a good overview. Based on this evidence, the GrAID consists of lean meat, eggs, fish, plain dairy (such as milk, yoghurt, kefir and hard cheeses), fruit, vegetables, legumes, wheat, coffee, tea and honey. Red meat, other dairy products and sugar should be limited. Canned and processed foods, alcohol and sweetened beverages should be avoided. This comprehensive review focuses on anti-inflammatory properties of foods providing IBD patients with the best evidence on which foods they should eat or avoid to reduce flares. This was used to design the GrAID.

Association between Food Intake and Overweight in Children Assisted by Primary Care

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 305-312
Author(s):  
Erivelton Sousa Lima ◽  
Amanda de Castro Amorim Serpa Brandão ◽  
Antonio Luiz Gomes Junior ◽  
Luana kelle Batista Moura ◽  
Gerardo Vasconcelos Mesquita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Processed Foods ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Chi Square Test

Background: The child feed in the first two years of life is of fundamental importance for a healthy growth and development. Aims: To verify the association between food consumption indicators and overweight in children under the age of two, followed up by primary care health professionals. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 232 children assisted by primary care. A structured questionnaire was used with questions on sociodemographic data of mothers or guardians and food intake and anthropometric data of children. The analysis of the association between excess weight and food intake indicators was performed using the Pearson’s chi-square test (χ2) and Fisher’s exact test (f ˂ 5). Results: Regarding food intake in children under 6 months of age, 35.1% of the children were exclusively breastfed. Among children at the age of 6 to 23 months: 66.3% were on continued breastfeeding; 16.7% consumed adequate foods at the age of 6 to 8 months; 90.4% consumed foods that belonged to the six food groups; 76.3% consumed food at the minimum frequency and with adequate consistency; 88.9% consumed iron-rich and vitamin A-rich foods, and 59.3% consumed ultra-processed foods. Regarding nutritional status, 24.5% of the children were overweight. Conclusion: There was no statistically significant association between overweight and food consumption indicators among the surveyed children. However, exclusive breastfeeding was below the recommended level, a low percentage of the introduction of complementary foods at the appropriate age and high consumption of ultra-processed foods reveal the need to improve the assistance provided by primary care to this group.

scholarly journals Diet and cancer in Northeast Brazil: evaluation of eating habits and food group consumption in relation to breast cancer

2008 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 820-828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flávia Emília Leite de Lima ◽  
Maria do Rosário Dias de Oliveira Latorre ◽  
Maria José de Carvalho Costa ◽  
Regina Mara Fisberg
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Dairy Products ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Food Group ◽  
Northeast Brazil ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Diet And Cancer ◽  
Control Study

A hospital-based case-control study was performed from August 2002 to November 2003 in Northeast Brazil. Eighty-nine women were recruited with histologically confirmed breast cancer (age 30-80 years), matched for age with 94 controls. Food consumption of cases and controls was evaluated by foods and food groups, categorized in consumption tertiles. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were obtained through unconditional logistic regression. Intake of fruits and juices, beans, and dairy products showed a strong association with reduced risk of breast cancer. Consumption of red and fried meat was positively associated with risk of breast cancer (red meat - OR = 4.30; 95%CI: 1.74-10.67; p for trend = 0.00). No association was observed in vegetable and sausage meat groups and breast cancer. Red and fried meat may be risk factors, and intake of fruit, beans, and dairy products may protect against breast cancer.

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