Consumption of packaged foods by the Portuguese population: type of materials and its associated factors

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia Almeida Costa ◽  
Sofia Vilela ◽  
Daniela Correia ◽  
Milton Severo ◽  
Carla Lopes ◽  
...  

PurposeThis study aims to evaluate in the Portuguese population the consumption of packaged food (PF) vs non-packaged food, the associated factors and to estimate the contribution of specific food groups to the use of packaging materials.Design/methodology/approachA representative sample of the population was evaluated within the National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2015–2016 (n = 5,811, 3 months-84y). Dietary data were collected by two non-consecutive food diaries (children) or 24-h recalls, using a software program which integrates FoodEx2—Food classification system. Food packaging materials were measured according to the amount of PF by linear regression. The results were analyzed considering the distribution of the Portuguese population.FindingsThe reported amount of PF was 1,530 g/person/day (57%), in which PF in plastic was the most reported (69%), mainly associated with “Non-alcoholic beverages” (38%). “Fruit and vegetables” food group is most frequently reported without a package (35%). Men consumed significantly more quantity of PF for all materials, excepted for “paperboard/paper”, but also significantly more quantity of food without a package (β = 135.3 [95%IC: 63.7; 207.0]). Children and adolescents consumed more quantity of PF in multilayer materials (β = 177.8 [95%IC: 154.8; 200.9]) and significantly less quantity of food without a package (β = −343.8 [95%IC: −408.9; −278.6]). Also, more educated people consume more food without a package (β = 106.9 [95%IC: 33.2; 180.7]).Originality/valueThe Portuguese population presents a large consumption of PF. Male population and adults were identified as groups with higher consumption of PF.

2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (7) ◽  
pp. 1550-1564 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafaela Corrêa Pereira ◽  
Michel Cardoso de Angelis-Pereira ◽  
João de Deus Souza Carneiro

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the packaged food market in Brazil by examining the use of nutrition and health claims and marketing techniques, as well as the different levels of industrial food processing in relation to product category, nutrition information and price. Design/methodology/approach A survey was conducted on the labels of pre-packed foods and non-alcoholic beverages marketed in a home-shopping website in Brazil. Findings The authors showed that the use of nutrition and health claims on packaged foods in Brazil is widespread and varied across different food categories. Marketing techniques were also prevalent, and techniques emphasising general health, well-being or naturalness were the most frequent type used. Overall, products carrying nutrition and health claims and/or using marketing techniques had lower content of fat and higher content of fibre. However, the high prevalence of these strategies in ultra-processed foods is alarming. The presence of health claims and use of marketing techniques was not found to be an effective modifier of the three price measures. However, processed and ultra-processed foods were more expensive than unprocessed foods when considering price per energy and price per 100 g or mL. Originality/value These results indicate that there are clear opportunities to improve the packaged food environment in supermarkets. It is important to highlight the need to develop public policies to address these issues, including restriction of the promotion and advertising of unhealthy foods and beverages and use of warning labels.


2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Parisa Sadighara ◽  
Mohadeseh Pirhadi ◽  
Melina Sadighara ◽  
Parisa Shavaly-Gilani ◽  
Mohammad Reza Zirak ◽  
...  

Purpose Benzene contamination has been reported in some food groups. This study aims to identify high-risk foods groups to assess exposure to benzene. Design/methodology/approach Benzene is a hazardous volatile organic compound commonly used in the production of chemicals, detergents, paints and plastics. In addition, benzene is present in food and beverages. Findings Citrus juice-based beverages are usually more contaminated with benzene than other beverages. Benzene was also detected in carbonated beverages, fruit juices, pickles, lime juices, mayonnaise and salad dressing. Smoked and canned products have higher content of benzene. Aromas that are used in food contained benzene. Food packaging is one of the sources of benzene contamination of food. One of the reasons for its formation in food staff is due to the reaction of vitamin C (or similar acid) with benzoate, which is mainly used as a preservative in various foods. Practical implications Foods contaminated with benzene were determined. Moreover, mechanisms of its formation and some preventive measures were discussed. Originality/value This review determined the amount of benzene in foods, mechanism of formation and suggestion for prevention of benzene contamination in food.


2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 591-606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nitin Kumar ◽  
Preetinder Kaur ◽  
Surekha Bhatia

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to acquaint the readers with recent developments in biopolymer-based food packaging materials like natural biopolymers (such as starches and proteins), synthetic biopolymers (such as poly lactic acid), biopolymer blending and nanocomposites grounded on natural and synthetic biopolymers. This paper is an attempt to draw the readers towards the advantages and attributes of new era polymers to diminish the usage of traditional non-biodegradable polymers. Design/methodology/approach Plastic packaging for food and associated applications is non-biodegradable and uses up valuable and treasured non-renewable petroleum products. With the current focus on researching alternatives to petroleum, research is progressively being channelized towards the development of biodegradable food packaging, thereby reducing adverse impact on the environment. Findings Natural biopolymer-based nanocomposite packaging materials seem to have a scintillating future for a broad range of applications in the food industry, including advanced active food packaging with biofunctional attributes. The present review summarizes the scientific information of various packaging materials along with their attributes, applications and the methods for production. Originality/value This is an apropos review as there has been a recent renewed concern in research studies, both in the industry and academe, for development of new generation biopolymer-based food packaging materials, with possible applications in many areas.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karolina Kraśniewska ◽  
Sabina Galus ◽  
Małgorzata Gniewosz

Packaging is an integral part of food products, allowing the preservation of their quality. It plays an important role, protecting the packed product from external conditions, maintaining food quality, and improving properties of the packaged food during storage. Nevertheless, commonly used packaging based on synthetic non-biodegradable polymers causes serious environmental pollution. Consequently, numerous recent studies have focused on the development of biodegradable packaging materials based on biopolymers. In addition, biopolymers may be classified as active packaging materials, since they have the ability to carry different active substances. This review presents the latest updates on the use of silver nanoparticles in packaging materials based on biopolymers. Silver nanoparticles have become an interesting component of biodegradable biopolymers, mainly due to their antimicrobial properties that allow the development of active food packaging materials to prolong the shelf life of food products. Furthermore, incorporation of silver nanoparticles into biopolymers may lead to the development of materials with improved physical-mechanical properties.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0245225
Author(s):  
Sally Mackay ◽  
Helen Eyles ◽  
Teresa Gontijo de Castro ◽  
Leanne Young ◽  
Cliona Ni Mhurchu ◽  
...  

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.


Nanomaterials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Jawad Sarfraz ◽  
Tina Gulin-Sarfraz ◽  
Julie Nilsen-Nygaard ◽  
Marit Kvalvåg Pettersen

There is a strong drive in industry for packaging solutions that contribute to sustainable development by targeting a circular economy, which pivots around the recyclability of the packaging materials. The aim is to reduce traditional plastic consumption and achieve high recycling efficiency while maintaining the desired barrier and mechanical properties. In this domain, packaging materials in the form of polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) can offer the desired functionalities and can be a potential replacement for complex multilayered polymer structures. There has been an increasing interest in nanocomposites for food packaging applications, with a five-fold rise in the number of published articles during the period 2010–2019. The barrier, mechanical, and thermal properties of the polymers can be significantly improved by incorporating low concentrations of nanofillers. Furthermore, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties can be introduced, which are very relevant for food packaging applications. In this review, we will present an overview of the nanocomposite materials for food packaging applications. We will briefly discuss different nanofillers, methods to incorporate them in the polymer matrix, and surface treatments, with a special focus on the barrier, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. On the practical side migration issues, consumer acceptability, recyclability, and toxicity aspects will also be discussed.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1544
Author(s):  
Jet Yin Boey ◽  
Lydia Mohamad ◽  
Yong Sen Khok ◽  
Guan Seng Tay ◽  
Siti Baidurah

Overconsumption of plastic goods and improper handling of petroleum-derived plastic waste have brought a plethora of negative impacts to the environment, ecosystem and human health due to its recalcitrance to degradation. These drawbacks become the main driving force behind finding biopolymers with the degradable properties. With the advancement in biopolymer research, polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) and poly(lacyic acid) (PLA) and its composites have been alluded to as a potential alternative to replace the petrochemical counterpart. This review highlights the current synthesis process and application of PHAs and PLA and its composites for food packaging materials and coatings. These biopolymers can be further ameliorated to enhance their applicability and are discussed by including the current commercially available packaging products. Factors influencing biodegradation are outlined in the latter part of this review. The main aim of this review article is to organize the scattered available information on various aspects of PHAs and PLA, and its composites for packaging application purposes. It is evident from a literature survey of about 140 recently published papers from the past 15 years that PLA and PHA show excellent physical properties as potential food packaging materials.


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