scholarly journals Branded Foods Databases as a Tool to Support Nutrition Research and Monitoring of the Food Supply: Insights From the Slovenian Composition and Labeling Information System

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Pravst ◽  
Maša Hribar ◽  
Katja Žmitek ◽  
Bojan Blažica ◽  
Barbara Koroušić Seljak ◽  
...  

Branded foods databases are becoming very valuable not only in nutrition research but also for clinical practice, policymakers, businesses, and general population. In contrast to generic foods, branded foods are marked by rapid changes in the food supply because of reformulations, the introduction of new foods, and the removal of existing ones from the market. Also, different branded foods are available in different countries. This not only complicates the compilation of branded foods datasets but also causes such datasets to become out of date quickly. In this review, we present different approaches to the compilation of branded foods datasets, describe the history and progress of building and updating such datasets in Slovenia, and present data to support nutrition research and monitoring of the food supply. Manufacturers are key sources of information for the compilation of branded foods databases, most commonly through food labels. In Slovenia, the branded food dataset is compiled using standard food monitoring studies conducted at all major retailers. Cross-sectional studies are conducted every few years, in which the food labels of all available branded foods are photographed. Studies are conducted using the Composition and Labeling Information System (CLAS) infrastructure, composed of a smartphone application for data collection and online data extraction and management tool. We reviewed various uses of branded foods datasets. Datasets can be used to assess the nutritional composition of food in the food supply (i.e., salt, sugar content), the use of specific ingredients, for example, food additives, for nutrient profiling, and assessment of marketing techniques on food labels. Such datasets are also valuable for other studies, for example, assessing nutrient intakes in dietary surveys. Additional approaches are also being tested to keep datasets updated between food monitoring studies. A promising approach is the exploitation of crowdsourcing through the mobile application VešKajJeš, which was launched in Slovenia to support consumers in making healthier dietary choices.

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-14
Author(s):  
Aklesh S. Diwakar ◽  
Saravanan Poorni ◽  
Nishanthine Cruz ◽  
Manali Ramakrishnan Srinivasan ◽  
◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samira Pourmoradian ◽  
Mohammad Kermanshahi ◽  
Mahsa Chaeipeima ◽  
Tohid Farazkhah ◽  
Arezoo Roudsari

Abstract Background: Food labeling is one of the information promotion policies designed to support necessary information of the products that consumer purchase. However, food labeling giving incentives to the food industry to reformulate their products with healthier nutrients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted as a point-of-purchase survey on 550 shoppers in chain stores in Tabriz, Iran. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire that assessed the respondents' knowledge, perception, and behaviors towards the information on food labels. Results: The results showed that 91.8% of the consumers had knowledge about food label information. Among all the nutritional information included on food labels, the participants were most aware of the information about the calories and fat content of the foods. Most of the respondents (84.7%) paid attention to food labels to observe the expiration and production dates, 51.6% were looking at food prices in food labels, and only 8.7% of the participants read food labels to obtain information about the food additives and artificial color contents. Conclusion: Our study suggests that food labeling could be an effective measure in health policy when the consumers' nutrition knowledge and awareness regarding how to use and interpret the information on food labels increases.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Zancheta Ricardo ◽  
C Corvalan ◽  
L Tallie ◽  
V Quitral ◽  
M Reyes

Abstract Background In June 2016, Chile implemented the Food Labeling and Advertising Law, which includes mandatory front-of-package warning labels in products with high content of sugars and other key nutrients. We evaluated whether the non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) use increased among foods/beverages 7-8 months after implementation of the law. Methods We obtained data from packaged foods/beverages available in 6 major supermarkets and 3 candy distributions in Santiago, Chile, in January 2015/16 (T0) and January 2017 (T1). We included products with market share ≥1% of their food groups, with added sugar, salt or fat (i.e. products subject to regulation) and/or with NNS from 7 food groups: beverages, breakfast cereals, candies, sweet spreads, desserts, yogurts, and milk-based drinks, in cross-sectional (T0: N = 1,809; T1: N = 1,478) and longitudinal (i.e. same product collected in both periods; N = 999) samples. We compared the frequencies applying Chi-square and McNemar tests. Results In the cross-sectional analysis, there was no significant change in the frequency of NNS use neither considering the overall sample or each food group. Across all groups, about 40% of products presented at least one NNS in both periods, with the highest prevalence among beverages (T0:77%; T1:80%, p = 0.314) and yogurts (T0:63%; T1:68%, p = 0.312). In the longitudinal sample, the frequency of NNS use increased from 38% in T0 to 44% in T1 (p < 0.001). Changes were observed in milk-based drinks (T0:50%; T1:67%, p = 0.008); beverages (T0:72%; T1:83%, p < 0.001); desserts (T0:14%; T1:23%, p < 0.001); and yogurts (T0:60%; T1:63%, p = 0.046). Conclusions Our results suggest increased NNS use in the longitudinal subsample after the implementation of the law; however, the overall frequency in the food supply remained the same, which could be explained either by changes in the food supply or sampling differences between the periods. Further analyses must explore the impact of these changes in NNS consumption. Key messages Regulations aimed to reduce food sugar content could impact the food NNS content. Monitoring the use of NNS in the food supply and its impact on NNS consumption is important in the current policy scenario.


Author(s):  
Nimah Bahreini Esfahani ◽  
Hassan Ziaei ◽  
Zahra Esfandiari

Background: Use of additives in food industry is of specific importance. Currently, more than 2,500 additives are added to foods to achieve the desired goals or to extend the product’s shelf life. However, application of these substances has raised concerns about the consumers’ health. Since public information on these substances is inadequate, promoting people’s knowledge can play a key role in this regard. Therefore, knowledge, attitude, and practices of the personnel of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences toward food additives were evaluated. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study included 800 participants selected randomly among the personnel of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in Iran. The participants’ demographic information, knowledge, attitudes, and practices were measured via a self-administered questionnaire. The relationship of participants’ educational level, age, and gender with their knowledge, attitudes, and practices were determined. Results: The participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices average scores were calculated as 30.6±1.3, 32±0.9, and 15±1.5 for food additives, respectively. Conclusion: The participants’ knowledge, attitude, and practices were at a poor level. So, people should receive the necessary education and training in terms of food additives as well as food labels in order to prevent misinterpretations regarding food additives.


BMC Nutrition ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatriz Franco-Arellano ◽  
Jodi T. Bernstein ◽  
Sheida Norsen ◽  
Alyssa Schermel ◽  
Mary R. L’Abbé

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 109-118
Author(s):  
Bhu Dev Jha

 Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP) is used for preventing pregnancy after having unprotected sexual intercourse, contraceptive failure or forced sex. The use of ECP within 120 hours of sexual intercourse could prevent unwanted pregnancy and its adverse effects particularly unintended childbirth and unsafe abortion. The study, therefore, aimed to assess knowledge and use of emergency contraceptives among Bachelors level female students from Kathmandu Valley. A descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken from August to November 2017 among 347 female students who were studying at the Bachelors's level. A random sampling technique was used to select study participants and a structured self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge and use of ECP after securing informed consent. Epi data and SPSS version 22 were used for data processing and analysis. The mean age of the female students was 21.5 years. Overall, 91.4% of the respondents had ever heard about emergency contraceptives. The main sources of information were radio or television, the internet and newspapers. About 4.6% of the undergraduate female students used ECP. Age, marital status, use of contraceptives and knowledge of ECP used within 72 hours were significantly associated with use of ECP. Although the findings of this study showed a high prevalence of knowledge among respondents, the improvement of female students’ knowledge on specific details of ECP and its advantages/disadvantages and timely utilization needs to be considered for any future awareness programmes.  


Author(s):  
Louis J. Pignataro ◽  
Joseph Wen ◽  
Robert Burchell ◽  
Michael L. Lahr ◽  
Ann Strauss-Wieder

The purpose of the Transportation Economic and Land Use System (TELUS) is to convert the transportation improvement program (TIP) into a management tool. Accordingly, the system provides detailed and easily accessible information on transportation projects in the region, as well as their interrelationships and impacts. By doing so, TELUS enables public-sector agencies to meet organizational, Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, state, and other mandates more effectively. The objectives are accomplished by providing the computer-based capability to analyze, sort, combine, and track transportation projects in or under consideration for a TIP; assessing the interrelationships among significant transportation projects; estimating the regional economic and land use effects of transportation projects; and presenting project information in an easily understood format, including geographic information system formats.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. e000942
Author(s):  
Oliver G P Lawton ◽  
Sarah A Lawton ◽  
Lisa Dikomitis ◽  
Joanne Protheroe ◽  
Joanne Smith ◽  
...  

COVID-19 has significantly impacted young people’s lives yet little is known about the COVID-19 related sources of information they access. We performed a cross-sectional survey of pupils (11–16 years) in North Staffordshire, UK. 408 (23%) pupils responded to an online survey emailed to them by their school. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data. Social media, accessed by 68%, played a significant role in the provision of information, despite it not being considered trustworthy. 89% felt that COVID-19 had negatively affected their education. Gaps in the provision of information on COVID-19 have been identified.


Author(s):  
Katarzyna Kwiatkowska ◽  
Katarzyna Kosińska-Kaczyńska ◽  
Izabela Walasik ◽  
Agnieszka Osińska ◽  
Iwona Szymusik

Background: No specific physical activity guidelines are available for women in multiple pregnancy. Aim of the study was to assess the knowledge and experience of women regarding physical activity during their latest twin pregnancy. Methods: A cross-sectional study including women after a twin delivery was conducted in Poland. A questionnaire was distributed in 2018 via web pages and Facebook groups designed for pregnant women. Results: 652 women filled out the questionnaire completely. Only 25% of women performed any physical exercises during twin gestation. The frequency of preterm delivery was similar in physically active and non-active participants. 35% of the respondents claimed to have gained information on proper activity from obstetricians during antenatal counselling while 11% claimed to be unable to identify the reliable sources of information. 7% of women admitted to feel discriminated by social opinion on exercising during a twin pregnancy. Conclusions: The population of women with a twin gestation is not sufficiently physically active and is often discouraged from performing exercises during gestation. Therefore, it is crucial to inform obstetricians to recommend active lifestyle during a twin gestation and to provide reliable information on physical activity to pregnant women. Further research on this topic is necessary in order for obstetric providers to counsel women on appropriate exercise with a twin pregnancy.


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