scholarly journals Nutrition Quality of Packaged Foods in Bogotá, Colombia: A Comparison of Two Nutrient Profile Models

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercedes Mora-Plazas ◽  
Luis F. Gómez ◽  
Donna R. Miles ◽  
Diana C Parra ◽  
L. S. Taillie

Background: Front-of-package warning labels are an increasingly common policy and have been implemented to inform consumers of the nutritional quality of ultra-processed foods. This study examined the proportion of Colombian products that could be subjected to such regulations. Methods: Two nutrition profile models were compared: the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) model, and the nutrient profile established under the Chilean food labeling and advertising law (Chilean model). Products (n = 6708) exceeding nutrient criteria based on each model were identified as subject to regulation. Results: A total of 80.2% (PAHO model) to 66.4% (Chilean model) of foods met the criteria for regulation. The categories with the highest proportion of regulated products were meats (97.3% PAHO model; 87.5% Chilean model), sweets (95.6% PAHO) and snacks (Chilean model). The category with the lowest proportions of regulated products were cereals (47.3% PAHO model) and miscellaneous foods and fish/seafood (39.0% and 39.5%, respectively, Chilean model). Conclusions: Under both the PAHO and Chilean nutrient profile models, the majority of packaged foods available in Bogotá would be eligible to receive front-of-package warning labels. These results suggest a warning label law could have a major impact on the Colombian food supply, especially in the context of the growing prevalence of diet-related chronic diseases in Colombia.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanna Andrade ◽  
Laís Amaral Mais ◽  
Camila Ricardo ◽  
Ana Clara Duran ◽  
Ana Paula Martins

Abstract Background: Although the nutrition claim “whole grains” can be found in packaged foods marketed in Brazil, the current legislation does not establish composition or labelling criteria to its use, which may confuse and misinform consumers and lead to inadequate food choices. Thus, the present study aims to assess the use of “whole grains” claims in food products marketed in Brazil, and to assess the nutritional profile of these products. Methods: We used data from 775 grain-based packaged foods collected in Brazil from April to July 2017. Using the INFORMAS’s protocol for food labelling, we estimated the prevalence of packaged foods with “whole grains” claims. The amount of whole grains was evaluated using the ingredients list. We compared the nutritional profile of the products with and without "whole grains" claims using the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) nutrient profile criteria. Results: Results show that about 19% of the assessed products had "whole grains" claims; of these, 35% did not have any whole grain among the top three ingredients. These products also had a high proportion of refined ingredients (e.g. refined flour and sugar) and were high in critical nutrients according to PAHO´s criteria. Conclusion: Our results showed the need to improve Brazilian food labeling regulation in order to determine thresholds for wholemeal flour content to allow foods to receive “whole grains” claim.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 1409-1417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suladda Pongutta ◽  
Pitipa Chongwatpol ◽  
Parwin Tantayapirak ◽  
Stefanie Vandevijvere

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.


2003 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 561-569 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zélia Maria Profeta da Luz ◽  
Denise Nacif Pimenta ◽  
Ana Rabello ◽  
Virgínia Schall

Based on categories related to structure, content, language, and illustrations, the present study provides an evaluation of the quality of educational materials on leishmaniasis available to health services in Brazil. The 18 publications evaluated consisted of four handbooks, four guided studies, four booklets, and six leaflets. Of the total publications assessed, nine were produced by the Brazilian National Health Foundation (FUNASA), five by State and Municipal Health Departments jointly with FUNASA, and one by the Pan-American Health Organization. The evaluations were also performed by three professionals: a physician specialized in leishmaniasis, a parasitologist, and an information/communications expert. The publications failed to specify key items such as target public, objective, and bibliography. The illustrations, especially in the booklets and leaflets, failed to clarify the text, portrayed biased concepts, and omitted credits and scale. According to this study, informative materials on leishmaniasis distributed in Brazil present major limitations which jeopardize the quality of information they contain.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 2799
Author(s):  
Chandra Pandav ◽  
Lindsey Smith Taillie ◽  
Donna R. Miles ◽  
Bridget A. Hollingsworth ◽  
Barry M. Popkin

The rapid rise in prevalence of overweight/obesity, as well as high prevalence of type 2 diabetes and other nutrition-related noncommunicable diseases, has led the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to propose a front-of-package labeling (FOPL) regulation. An effective FOPL system applies a nutrient profile model that identifies foods high in sugar, sodium, and saturated fat that would receive a warning label for consumers to effectively discern between more and less healthy foods. Previous Nutrition Alchemy data collected by the food industry (n = 1306 products) estimated that approximately 96% of foods in India would have at least one warning label based on the FSSAI proposed FOPL. This near universal coverage of warning labels may be inaccurate and misleading. To address this, the current study compared two nutrient profile models, the WHO South-East Asia Region Organization (SEARO) and the Chilean Warning Octagon (CWO) Phase 3, applied to food products available in the Indian market from 2015–2020, collected through Mintel Global New Products Database (n = 10,501 products). Results suggest that 68% of foods and beverages would have at least one ‘ high-in’ level warning label. This study highlights the need to include a more comprehensive sample of food products for assessing the value of warning labels.


Author(s):  
Marta Beltrá ◽  
Keila Soares-Micoanski ◽  
Eva-Maria Navarrete-Muñoz ◽  
Ana B. Ropero

Healthy eating is essential for the growth and development of children and adolescents. Eating habits established in childhood continue into adulthood. In Spain, the frequent promotion of foods with low nutritional value is already considered a threat to the health of the population, particularly to children and adolescents. In this work, we analyse 3209 foods from the Food Database, BADALI. Foods were classified as marketed to children or adolescents according to the advertising on the packaging, television or internet. We found that 17.5% of foods in the database were marketed to this population and 97% of those were considered unhealthy following the Pan American Health Organization Nutrient Profile Model (PAHO-NPM). In the total of foods for children or adolescents, 61.5% were high in fat, 58.5% in free-sugar, 45.4% in saturated fat and 45% in sodium. Foods marketed to them presented higher amounts of carbohydrates and sugar, while lower protein and fibre content than the rest. There was also considerable variability in levels of the other nutrients found in these products, which depended largely on the food group. According to our findings, there is a tendency for products marketed to children or adolescents to be unhealthy and of a poorer nutritional quality than those not targeted at them.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 1608-1617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monique Potvin Kent ◽  
Elise Pauzé

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the effectiveness of the self-regulatory Canadian Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CAI) in limiting advertising of unhealthy foods and beverages on children’s preferred websites in Canada.Design/Setting/SubjectsSyndicated Internet advertising exposure data were used to identify the ten most popular websites for children (aged 2–11 years) and determine the frequency of food/beverage banner and pop-up ads on these websites from June 2015 to May 2016. Nutrition information for advertised products was collected and their nutrient content per 100 g was calculated. Nutritional quality of all food/beverage ads was assessed using the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and UK Nutrient Profile Models (NPM). Nutritional quality of CAI and non-CAI company ads was compared usingχ2analyses and independentttests.ResultsAbout 54 million food/beverage ads were viewed on children’s preferred websites from June 2015 to May 2016. Most (93·4 %) product ads were categorized as excessive in fat, Na or free sugars as per the PAHO NPM and 73·8 % were deemed less healthy according to the UK NPM. CAI-company ads were 2·2 times more likely (OR; 99 % CI) to be excessive in at least one nutrient (2·2; 2·1, 2·2,P<0·001) and 2·5 times more likely to be deemed less healthy (2·5; 2·5, 2·5,P<0·001) than non-CAI ads. On average, CAI-company product ads also contained (mean difference; 99 % CI) more energy (141; 141·1, 141·4 kcal,P<0·001,r=0·55), sugar (18·2; 18·2, 18·2 g,P<0·001,r=0·68) and Na (70·0; 69·7, 70·0 mg,P<0·001,r=0·23) per 100 g serving than non-CAI ads.ConclusionsThe CAI is not limiting unhealthy food and beverage advertising on children’s preferred websites in Canada. Mandatory regulations are needed.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 2371
Author(s):  
Daiana Quintiliano Scarpelli ◽  
Anna Christina Pinheiro Fernandes ◽  
Lorena Rodriguez Osiac ◽  
Tito Pizarro Quevedo

Chile has implemented several strategies to decrease the burden of obesity and chronic diseases. The Food Labeling and Advertising Law (Law 20.606) requires a front-of-package “high in” warning label when energy and nutrients of concern (ENC) (total sugar, saturated fats, sodium) exceed established limits. This study aims to evaluate the impact of Law 20.606 on the ENC declaration of packaged foods in Chile, before and after the law implementation. We analyzed food nutritional labeling declarations from 70% of the most consumed packaged foods in Chile. Data collection was conducted in 2013 and 2019 in Santiago. Pictures from all sides of the package were taken from 476 products, classified into 16 food groups. All food groups had changes in the ENC declaration during the study period. Total sugar content showed the highest reduction (−15.0%; p = 0.001). Dairy, confitures and similar and sugary beverages had the greatest reduction in energy and total sugar content (p < 0.01). Energy, total sugar and sodium front of package “high in” simulation was significantly reduced in dairy, sugary beverages, flour-based foods, confitures and similar, fish and seafoods, fats and oils, spices, condiments and sauces and sugars (p < 0.05). We observed that companies reformulated products to adapt to the new regulation.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Ana Clara Duran ◽  
Camila Zancheta Ricardo ◽  
Laís Amaral Mais ◽  
Ana Paula Bortoletto Martins

Abstract Objective: To compare the degree of strictness and agreement of different nutrient profiling models (NPM) used to identify which foods would be required to show front-of-package (FOP) warning labels. Design: Using data of 11 434 packaged foods found in the five largest food retailers in Brazil, we used two published NPM: the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) model and the NPM used in the Chilean nutritional FOP labelling policy, and compared them with a NPM proposed by the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa). The proportion of foods that would be required to show FOP warning labels was calculated overall and by food category. We also tested whether a modified version of the PAHO NPM would behave similarly to the original version. Setting: Brazil. Results: Two-thirds of the packaged products (62 %) would receive FOP warning labels under the PAHO NPM, as compared with 45 % of products using the proposed Anvisa NPM and 41 % if the Chilean NPM was applied. The PAHO NPM identified more foods high in critical nutrients such as sweetened dairy and non-dairy beverages, canned vegetables and convenience foods. Overall agreement between models was considered good with kappa coefficient ranging from 0·57 to 0·92 but was lower for some food categories. Conclusions: We found variations in the degree of strictness and agreement between assessed NPM. The PAHO NPM identified more foods and beverages high in sugar which are among the top contributors to sugar and energy intake in Brazil.


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