scholarly journals Estimating the potential impact of the Australian government’s reformulation targets on household sugar purchases

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daisy H. Coyle ◽  
Maria Shahid ◽  
Elizabeth K. Dunford ◽  
Jimmy Chun Yu Louie ◽  
Kathy Trieu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Sugar Consumption ◽  
Food Category ◽  
The World ◽  
Packaged Foods ◽  
Sugar Reduction ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
The Uk

Abstract Background Countries around the world are putting in place sugar reformulation targets for packaged foods to reduce excess sugar consumption. The Australian government released its voluntary sugar reformulation targets for nine food categories in 2020. We estimated the potential impact of these targets on household sugar purchases and examined differences by income. For comparison, we also modelled the potential impact of the UK sugar reduction targets on per capita sugar purchases as the UK has one of the most comprehensive sugar reduction strategies in the world. Methods Grocery purchase data from a nationally representative consumer panel (n=7,188) in Australia was linked with a large database (FoodSwitch) with product-specific sugar content information for packaged foods (n=25,261); both datasets were collected in 2018. Potential reductions in per capita sugar purchases were calculated overall and by food category. Differences in sugar reduction across income level were assessed by analysis of variance. Results In 2018, the total sugar acquired from packaged food and beverage purchases consumed at-home was 56.1 g/day per capita. Australia’s voluntary reformulation targets for sugar covered 2,471/25,261 (9.8%) unique products in the FoodSwitch dataset. Under the scenario that all food companies adhered to the voluntary targets, sugar purchases were estimated to be reduced by 0.9 g/day per capita, which represents a 1.5% reduction in sugar purchased from packaged foods. However, if Australia adopted the UK targets, over twice as many products would be covered (n=4,667), and this would result in a more than four times greater reduction in sugar purchases (4.1 g/day per capita). It was also estimated that if all food companies complied with Australia’s voluntary sugar targets, reductions to sugar would be slightly greater in low-income households compared with high-income households by 0.3 g/day (95%CI 0.2 - 0.4 g/day, p<0.001). Conclusions Sugar-reduction policies have the potential to substantially reduce population sugar consumption and may help to reduce health inequalities related to excess sugar consumption. However, the current reformulation targets in Australia are estimated to achieve only a small reduction to sugar intakes, particularly in comparison to the UK’s sugar reduction program.

scholarly journals Estimating the potential impact of Australia’s reformulation programme on households’ sodium purchases

2021 ◽  
pp. bmjnph-2020-000173
Author(s):  
Daisy Coyle ◽  
Maria Shahid ◽  
Elizabeth Dunford ◽  
Cliona Ni Mhurchu ◽  
Sarah Mckee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Maximum Level ◽  
Income Level ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Packaged Foods ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Packaged Food

BackgroundOn average, Australian adults consume 3500 mg sodium per day, almost twice the recommended maximum level of intake. The Australian government through the Healthy Food Partnership initiative has developed a voluntary reformulation programme with sodium targets for 27 food categories. We estimated the potential impact of this programme on household sodium purchases (mg/day per capita) and examined potential differences by income level. We also modelled and compared the effects of applying the existing UK reformulation programme targets in Australia.MethodsThis study used 1 year of grocery purchase data (2018) from a nationally representative consumer panel of Australian households (Nielsen Homescan) that was linked with a packaged food and beverage database (FoodSwitch) that contains product-specific sodium information. Potential reductions in per capita sodium purchases were calculated and differences across income level were assessed by analysis of variance. All analyses were modelled to the Australian population in 2018.ResultsA total of 7188 households were included in the analyses. The Healthy Food Partnership targets covered 4307/26 728 (16.1%) unique products, which represented 22.3% of all packaged foods purchased by Australian households in 2018. Under the scenario that food manufacturers complied completely with the targets, sodium purchases will be reduced by 50 mg/day per capita, equivalent to 3.5% of sodium currently purchased from packaged foods. Reductions will be greater in low-income households compared with high-income households (mean difference −7 mg/day, 95% CI −4 to −11 mg/day, p<0.001). If Australia had adopted the UK sodium targets, this would have covered 9927 unique products, resulting in a reduction in per capita sodium purchases by 110 mg/day.ConclusionThe Healthy Food Partnership reformulation programme is estimated to result in a very small reduction to sodium purchases. There are opportunities to improve the programme considerably through greater coverage and more stringent targets.

scholarly journals Sugar Reduction in Yogurt Products Sold in the UK between 2016 and 2019

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 171 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Bernadette Moore ◽  
Eiméar H. Sutton ◽  
Neil Hancock
Keyword(s):  
Product Information ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Total Sugar ◽  
Baseline Survey ◽  
Sugar Consumption ◽  
Nutrient Contents ◽  
Policy Initiatives ◽  
Market Trends ◽  
Sugar Reduction ◽  
The Uk

The UK government has called for industry reformulation of foods that contribute most to sugar consumption in children’s diets, including yogurts. The aim of this work was to comprehensively survey yogurt products available in UK supermarkets in 2019 to determine whether sugar contents had been reduced since our baseline survey in 2016. Product information was collected for 893 unique yogurt, fromage frais and dairy dessert products, and nutrient contents were analysed in comparison to those previously examined. Examining all products, there was a highly significant (p < 0.0001) reduction in the median total sugar contents in 2019 compared to those in 2016: median (interquartile range): 10.4 g/100 g (6.6, 13.0) versus 11.9 g/100 (8.8, 13.6). However, notable product turnover was evident; while 60% of the 2019 products surveyed could be matched by brand and name to 2016, 40% were new. In scrutinising paired products closely, only 32% (173 of 539) had reduced sugar contents with a smaller mean difference of −0.65 g/100 g (p < 0.0001), suggesting that the overall median had dropped as a result of higher sugar products being discontinued. Categories showing the most improvements were children’s, drinks and fruit yogurts. Although only 15% of the 2019 products contained ≤5 g/100 g sugars, considered a ‘low-sugar’ product for labelling, this was an improvement over the 9% identified in 2016. Our results yield important insights into current market trends and demonstrate that the median sugar content of UK yogurt products has been reduced by 13% in two years. These data independently evidence modest, but encouraging changes in response to public policy initiatives aimed at preventing childhood obesity.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Study to Understand the Potential Efficacy of an Information-Based Sugar Reduction Intervention among Low Socioeconomic Individuals in the UK

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Forde ◽  
Emma Solomon-Moore
Keyword(s):  
Social Factors ◽  
Food Access ◽  
Food Bank ◽  
Sugar Consumption ◽  
Low Socioeconomic ◽  
Socioeconomic Groups ◽  
Potential Efficacy ◽  
Similar Information ◽  
Sugar Reduction ◽  
The Uk

Sugar consumption in the UK consistently exceeds recommendations, despite the association it has with poor health outcomes. Low socioeconomic groups are most likely to over-consume sugar, which could exacerbate existing health disparities. Various interventions attempt to reduce the amount of sugar consumed, but their effectiveness is still unclear. This study qualitatively explored the sugar consumption behaviours of individuals experiencing food poverty, and examined how an information-based sugar reduction intervention might influence these behaviours. Eight clients and six volunteers from a food bank in Bristol (UK) completed semi-structured, one-to-one interviews that were thematically analysed. Food bank clients appeared to heavily consume sugar, with little understanding of the associated health effects and limited awareness of the intervention. Consumption behaviours were particularly influenced by personal and psychological factors, such as mental health; in addition to social factors, like familial behaviours and food access issues. It emerged that food bank clients’ often-challenging personal circumstances were likely to promote their sugar consumption. Making intervention materials visually appealing and easily comprehendible were found to be important for improving an intervention’s reception. Recommendations were developed to improve the efficacy of similar information-based sugar reduction interventions among socioeconomically deprived groups.

Are Low Income Countries Catching up or Falling Further Behind? Evidence from Income and Demographic Indicators

1993 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-119
Author(s):  
N. Kakwani ◽  
K. Subbarao
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Living Standards ◽  
Infant Mortality Rate ◽  
Standard Of Living ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Demographic Indicators ◽  
Life Expectancy At Birth ◽  
Catching Up ◽  
The World ◽  
Per Capita

The main objective of this paper is to measure changes in living conditions in one hundred and ten countries of the World during the period 1961 to 1990. Our concern is whether the economic and social gap is narrowing or widening. We also examine in which countries has there been a consistent improvement in average living standards. The standard of living is measured in terms of (a) per capita income, (b) life expectancy at birth and (c) infant mortality rate. The justification of these indicators is provided in terms of functionings and capabilities.

scholarly journals Sugar content of yogurt products in the UK: A comparison between 2016 and 2019

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eimear Sutton ◽  
Neil Hancock ◽  
J. Bernadette Moore
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Content ◽  
Total Sugar ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Nutrient Contents ◽  
Signed Rank ◽  
Signed Rank Test ◽  
Comprehensive Survey ◽  
Adults And Children ◽  
Sugar Reduction ◽  
The Uk

AbstractYogurt is a staple part of children's diets and is perceived as a nutrient dense food for adults and children. However, yogurts are also a significant source of free sugars for children and are a target of the UK government's sugar reduction programme, which has recommended a 20% reduction in the sugar content of yogurt and fromage frais products by 2020. With this in mind, in November 2016, we undertook a comprehensive survey of the nutrient contents of yogurt products in UK supermarkets (Moore et al. 2018). The aim of this work was to reassess the UK supermarkets yogurt products in 2019 and determine whether the sugar contents of yogurt products have been reduced. Product data was collected from the UK's top five online supermarkets in January 2019 using the search terms ‘yogurt’ and ‘yoghurt’. Products were placed systematically into the same 8 categories used in 2016: children's, drinks, dairy alternatives, organic, natural/Greek, fruit, flavoured, desserts. Products lists were collected, refined and compared to the 2016 database. All data was double-checked independently and 5% of all entries were randomly selected and verified. GraphPad Prism V/7.0c was used for statistical analysis. After de-duplication of products found in multiple supermarkets, the 2019 database contained 893 unique products in line with the 898 surveyed in 2016. Of these, 539 (60.4%) yogurts were in common (same brand and name) with the 2016 products and 354 were new, demonstrating dynamic turnover in available yogurt products during the 26 months between surveys. In comparing the total sugar contents of the 539 paired products, notably the median [range] of total sugar contents in 2019 was significantly lower than in 2016 (10.8g/100 g [0.4, 29.5] versus 11.8g/100 g [0.1, 31.8]; P < 0.0001, Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test). Indeed, when all products were compared there was a significant reduction in the median total sugar in 2019 compared to 2016 (10.4g/100 g [0–32.9] versus 11.9g/100 g [0.1–32.6]; P < 0.0001, Mann-Whitney test). Categories showing the most improvements were children's, drinks and fruit yogurts. Fifteen percent of the 2019 products contained less than or equal to 5g/100 g sugars, considered a ‘low sugar’ product, an improvement over the 9% identified in 2016. We conclude the sugar content of UK yogurt products has reduced since the sugar reduction program was put into place in 2016. However, a larger reduction in most categories is needed in order to reach the required 20% reduction by 2020.

scholarly journals Contribution of major food companies and their products to household dietary sodium purchases in Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daisy H. Coyle ◽  
Maria Shahid ◽  
Elizabeth K. Dunford ◽  
Cliona Ni Mhurchu ◽  
Sarah Mckee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Sodium Intake ◽  
Food Product ◽  
Sodium Content ◽  
Dietary Sodium ◽  
Processed Meat ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Major Food ◽  
Packaged Foods ◽  
Per Capita

Abstract Background The Australian federal government will soon release voluntary sodium reduction targets for 30 packaged food categories through the Healthy Food Partnership. Previous assessments of voluntary targets show variable industry engagement, and little is known about the extent that major food companies and their products contribute to dietary sodium purchases among Australian households. Methods The aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify the relative contribution that food companies and their products made to Australian household sodium purchases in 2018, and to examine differences in sodium purchases by household income level. We used 1 year of grocery purchase data from a nationally representative consumer panel of Australian households who reported their grocery purchases (the Nielsen Homescan panel), combined with database that contains product-specific sodium content for packaged foods and beverages (FoodSwitch). The top food companies and food categories were ranked according to their contribution to household sodium purchases. Differences in per capita sodium purchases by income levels were assessed by 1-factor ANOVA. All analyses were modelled to the Australian population in 2018 using sample weights. Results Sodium data were available from 7188 households who purchased 26,728 unique products and purchased just under 7.5 million food product units. Out of 1329 food companies, the top 10 accounted for 35% of unique products and contributed to 58% of all sodium purchased from packaged foods and beverages. The top three companies were grocery food retailers each contributing 12–15% of sodium purchases from sales of their private label products, particularly processed meat, cheese and bread. Out of the 67 food categories, the top 10 accounted for 73% of sodium purchased, particularly driven by purchases of processed meat (14%), bread (12%) and sauces (11%). Low-income Australian households purchased significantly more sodium from packaged products than high-income households per capita (452 mg/d, 95%CI: 363-540 mg/d, P < 0.001). Conclusions A small number of food companies and food categories account for most of the dietary sodium purchased by Australian households. Prioritizing government engagement with these groups could deliver a large reduction in population sodium intake.

scholarly journals Contribution of major food companies and their products to household dietary sodium purchases in Australia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daisy Hannah Coyle ◽  
Maria Shahid ◽  
Elizabeth K Dunford ◽  
Cliona Ni Mhurchu ◽  
Sarah Mckee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Sodium Intake ◽  
Food Product ◽  
Sodium Content ◽  
Dietary Sodium ◽  
Processed Meat ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Major Food ◽  
Packaged Foods ◽  
Per Capita

Abstract Background: The Australian federal government will soon release voluntary sodium reduction targets for 30 packaged food categories through the Healthy Food Partnership. Previous assessments of voluntary targets show variable industry engagement, and little is known about the extent that major food companies and their products contribute to dietary sodium purchases among Australian households. Methods: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify the relative contribution that food companies and their products made to Australian household sodium purchases in 2018, and to examine differences in sodium purchases by household income level. We used one year of grocery purchase data from a nationally representative consumer panel of Australian households who reported their grocery purchases (the Nielsen Homescan panel), combined with database that contains product-specific sodium content for packaged foods and beverages (FoodSwitch). The top food companies and food categories were ranked according to their contribution to household sodium purchases. Differences in per capita sodium purchases by income levels were assessed by 1-factor ANOVA. All analyses were modelled to the Australian population in 2018 using sample weights. Results: Sodium data were available from 7,188 households who purchased 26,728 unique products and purchased just under 7.5 million food product units. Out of 1,329 food companies, the top 10 accounted for 35% of unique products and contributed to 58% of all sodium purchased from packaged foods and beverages. The top three companies were grocery food retailers each contributing 12-15% of sodium purchases from sales of their private label products, particularly processed meat, cheese and bread. Out of the 67 food categories, the top 10 accounted for 73% of sodium purchased, particularly driven by purchases of processed meat (14%), bread (12%) and sauces (11%). Low-income Australian households purchased significantly more sodium from packaged products than high-income households per capita (452mg/d, 95%CI: 363-540mg/d, P<0.001). Conclusions: A small number of food companies and food categories account for most of the dietary sodium purchased by Australian households. Prioritizing government engagement with these groups could deliver a large reduction in population sodium intake.

scholarly journals Globalization of World Economy: Trends and Contradictions

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 5-13
Author(s):  
G. Feigin
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Regional Integration ◽  
World Economy ◽  
Gdp Per Capita ◽  
Social Differences ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Fdi Inflows ◽  
Global Migration ◽  
The World ◽  
Per Capita

Received 01.11.2020. The interpretation of the term “globalization” and differences to other terms characterizing the development of the world economy (internalization of the world economy, internal division of labor, regional integration) is given. The main signs of globalization (dynamic of trade volumes, FDI inflows, portfolio investments and international credits; internalization of technical progress; digitalization of economy; development of regional economic integration, global migration; TNC activities; transformation processes in the former socialistic countries) are summarized. The focus is on differences between long trends (since 1970) and actual development after the crisis (since 2010). The legitimacy of introduction of the term “deglobalization” is discussed. The modern model of the globalization (global capitalism) is analyzed. Based on some characteristics of this model (global competition, market fluctuations, unbalanced trade flows, social differences, fragility of the global governance), the critical arguments are considered and opportunities of transition to the new model of globalization in the next future are estimated. The relation of catch-up development and polarization in the era of the globalization is analyzed. The dynamics of GDP development of countries in 1972–2018 are summarized. The focus is on the relation between GDP per capita for countries with high income and countries with both law and middle income. The influences of global activities of countries on the level of GDP per capita are highlighted. The empirical basics are data of KOF-Index. The sample includes countries with both middle and low income which held positions in the ranking in KOF-Index from 27 till 182. The positive interdependence between (based on the KOF-Index) and level of GDP is identified. The conclusion about the potential future of the globalization is given.

scholarly journals Poverty and Hunger in India: What is Needed to Eliminate Them

2006 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-259
Author(s):  
Arvind Virmani
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Income Distribution ◽  
Public Goods ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Social Indicators ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Average Income ◽  
The World ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
The Government

There is a widespread impression among the Indian intelligentsia, foreign scholars, and residents of developed/rich countries that India’s economic growth has not reduced poverty, that globalisation has worsened poverty and/or income distribution, and that there are hundreds of millions of hungry people in India. These arguments are buttressed by recourse to India’s ranking on several social indicators. Esoteric debates about the comparability of survey data and gaps between NSS and NAS add to the confusion and allow ideologues to believe and assert whatever information suits the argument. What are the basic facts about poverty, income distributions, and hunger at an aggregate level? This paper reviews the available data and debates on this subject and comes to a commonsense view. It then tries to link some of the outcomes to the policy framework and programmes of the government. The paper finds that India’s poverty ratio of around 22 percent in 1999-2000 is in line with that observed in countries at similar levels of per capita income. The ratio is relatively high because India is a relatively poor/ low-income country, i.e., with low average income. 90 percent of the countries in the world have a higher per capita (average) income than India. The number of the poor is very high because India’s population is very large, the secondhighest in the world. India’s income distribution as measured by the Gini co-efficient is better than three-fourths of the countries of the world. The consumption share of the poorest 10 percent of the population is the sixth best in the world. Where India has failed as a nation is in improving its basic social indicators like literacy and mortality rates. Much of the failure is a legacy of the three decades of Indian socialism (till 1979-80). The rate of improvement of most indicators has accelerated during the market period (starting in 1980-81). The gap between its level and that of global benchmarks is still wide and its global ranking on most of these social parameters remains very poor. This is the result of government failure. The improvement in social indicators has not kept pace with economic growth and poverty decline, and this has led to increasing interstate disparities in growth and poverty. JEL classification: I3, I32, I38 Keywords: Hunger, Poverty, Public Goods, Public and Quasi-Public Goods and Services, Basic Education, Public Health, Sanitation

scholarly journals Contribution of major food companies and their products to household dietary sodium purchases in Australia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daisy Hannah Coyle ◽  
Maria Shahid ◽  
Elizabeth K Dunford ◽  
Cliona Ni Mhurchu ◽  
Sarah Mckee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Sodium Intake ◽  
Food Product ◽  
Sodium Content ◽  
Dietary Sodium ◽  
Processed Meat ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Major Food ◽  
Packaged Foods ◽  
Per Capita

Abstract Background: The Australian federal government will soon release voluntary sodium reduction targets for 30 packaged food categories through the Healthy Food Partnership. Previous assessments of voluntary targets show variable industry engagement and little is known about the extent that major food companies and their products contribute to dietary sodium purchases among Australian households. Methods: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify the relative contribution that food companies and their products made to Australian household sodium purchases in 2018, and to examine differences in sodium purchases by household income level. We used one year of grocery purchase data from a nationally representative consumer panel of Australian households who reported their grocery purchases (the Nielsen Homescan panel), combined with database that contains product-specific sodium content for packaged foods and beverages (FoodSwitch). The top food companies and food categories were ranked according to their contribution to household sodium purchases. Differences in per capita sodium purchases by income levels were assessed by 1-factor ANOVA. All analyses were modelled to the Australian population in 2018 using sample weights. Results: Sodium data were available from 7,188 households who purchased 26,728 unique products and purchased just under 7.5 million food product units. Out of 1,329 food companies, the top 10 accounted for 58% of all sodium purchased from packaged foods and beverages. The top three companies were grocery food retailers each contributing 12-15% of sodium purchases from sales of their private label products, particularly processed meat, cheese and bread. Out of the 67 food categories, the top 10 accounted for 73% of sodium purchased, particularly driven by purchases of processed meat (14%), bread (12%) and sauces (11%). Low-income Australian households purchased significantly more sodium from packaged products than high-income households per capita (452mg/d, 95%CI: 363-540mg/d, P<0.001). Conclusions: A small number of food companies and food categories account for most of the dietary sodium purchased by Australian households. Prioritizing government engagement with these groups could deliver a large reduction in population sodium intake.

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