scholarly journals The Changing Landscape of Legume Products Available in Australian Supermarkets

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 3226
Author(s):  
Dale Bielefeld ◽  
Jaimee Hughes ◽  
Sara Grafenauer

Evidence supports regular dietary inclusion of legumes due to their positive effects on both human and planetary health. Intake within Australia is suboptimal, with consumer data suggesting that an inability to integrate legumes into usual dietary patterns is a barrier to consumption. This places the food industry in a unique position to offer Australians the ability to incorporate legumes into usual dietary patterns via innovative new products. The aim of this study was to explore the legume category and compare nutrition product data and the use of nutrition and health claims between 2019 and 2021. An audit of legume products from four major metropolitan Sydney supermarkets (Aldi, Coles, IGA, Woolworths) collected ingredient lists, nutrition information and on-pack claims for baked beans, legume dips, legume flours, legume snacks (including subcategories of legume chips and whole legume snacks), canned legumes, dried legumes, frozen legumes, and pulse pasta. The total number of legume products available on the market nearly doubled from 2019 (n = 312) to 2021 (n = 610); this was driven by traditional plain canned and dried legumes and some new and convenient options, particularly snacks (legume chips) where the largest growth occurred. Of all legume products (n = 610), 82% met the Nutrient Profiling Scoring Criteria, 86.8% were at least a source of dietary fibre, and 55.9% were at least a source of protein. Nutrition content claims relating to dietary fibre, gluten free and protein more than doubled since 2019, with each featuring on over one third of the products identified in 2021. Vegan/vegetarian on-pack claims more than doubled since 2019, and claims related to the term plant-based/plant protein and environmental sustainability emerged on packs in 2021. By addressing barriers to consumption, such as lack of time and knowledge on how to prepare legumes, innovative legume products may help influence future consumption patterns.

2016 ◽  
Vol 116 (6) ◽  
pp. 1087-1094 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haya H. Al-Ani ◽  
Anandita Devi ◽  
Helen Eyles ◽  
Boyd Swinburn ◽  
Stefanie Vandevijvere

AbstractNutrition and health claims are displayed to influence consumers’ food choices. This study assessed the extent and nature of nutrition and health claims on the front-of-pack of ‘healthy’ and ‘less-healthy’ packaged foods in New Zealand. Foods from eight categories, for which consumption may affect the risk of obesity and diet-related chronic diseases, were selected from the 2014 Nutritrack database. The internationally standardised International Network for Food and Obesity/Non-Communicable Diseases Research, Monitoring and Action Support (INFORMAS) taxonomy was used to classify claims on packages. The Nutrient Profiling Scoring Criterion (NPSC) was used to classify products as ‘healthy’ or ‘less healthy’. In total, 7526 products were included, with 47 % (n 3557) classified as ‘healthy’. More than one-third of products displayed at least one nutrition claim and 15 % featured at least one health claim on the front-of-pack. Claims were found on one-third of ‘less-healthy’ products; 26 % of those products displayed nutrition claims and 7 % featured health claims. About 45 % of ‘healthy’ products displayed nutrition claims and 23 % featured health claims. Out of 7058 individual claims, the majority (69 %) were found on ‘healthy’ products. Cereals displayed the greatest proportion of nutrition and health claims (1503 claims on 564 products), of which one-third were displayed on ‘less-healthy’ cereals. Such claims could be misleading consumers’ perceptions of nutritional quality of foods. It needs to be explored how current regulations on nutrition and health claims in New Zealand could be further strengthened (e.g. using the NPSC for nutrition claims, including general health claims as per the INFORMAS taxonomy) to ensure consumers are protected and not misled.


Appetite ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 105 ◽  
pp. 618-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Estelle Masson ◽  
Gervaise Debucquet ◽  
Claude Fischler ◽  
Mohamed Merdji

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 489
Author(s):  
Emilie Croisier ◽  
Jaimee Hughes ◽  
Stephanie Duncombe ◽  
Sara Grafenauer

Breakfast cereal improves overall diet quality yet is under constant scrutiny with assertions that the category has not improved over time. This study aimed to comprehensively analyse the category of breakfast cereals, the nutritional values, and health claims across eight distinct sub-categories at four time points (2013, 2015, 2018, and 2020). An audit of products from four major supermarkets in metropolitan Sydney (Aldi, Coles, IGA, and Woolworths) collected ingredient lists, nutrition information, claims and Health Star Rating (HSR) for biscuits and bites; brans; bubbles, puffs, and flakes; granola and clusters; hot cereal flavoured; hot cereal plain; muesli; breakfast biscuits. The median (IQR) were calculated for energy, protein, fat, saturated fat, carbohydrate, sugars, dietary fibre, and sodium for comparisons over time points by nutrient. Data from 2013 was compared with 2020 (by sub-category and then for a sub-section of common products available at each time point). Product numbers between 2013 (n = 283) and 2020 (n = 543) almost doubled, led by granola and clusters. Whole grain cereals ≥ 8 g/serve made up 67% of products (↑114%). While there were positive changes in nutrient composition over time within the full data set, the most notable changes were in the nutrition composition of cereals marketed as the same product in both years (n = 134); with decreases in mean carbohydrate (2%), sugar (10%) and sodium (16%) (p < 0.000), while protein and total fat increased significantly (p = 0.036; p = 0.021). Claims regarding Dietary Fibre and Whole Grain doubled since 2013. Analysis of sub-categories of breakfast cereal assisted in identifying some changes over time, but products common to both timeframes provided a clearer analysis of change within the breakfast category, following introduction of HSR. Whole grain products were lower in the two target nutrients, sodium and sugars, and well-chosen products represent a better choice within this category.


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.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiacheng Sun ◽  
Ondrej Masek

&lt;p&gt;In recent years, the rapid increase of CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; emission in the atmosphere and the resulting issues such as global warming and climate change have now become significant barriers to environmental sustainability. Although fossil CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; emissions have decreased in some of the world's largest emitters, including 11% in the EU, 12% in the US and 1.7% in China annually, the estimated global CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; emission amount still reached 40 G tonnes in 2020. The purpose of studying biochar produced by pyrolysis is essential to develop the knowledge of carbon cycles and nutrient components in soil. Among all types of feedstocks, algae grow incredibly rapidly compared to other biological materials, about 500-1500 times higher, which will boot the carbon sequestration rate. Therefore, the study of algal biochar production through pyrolysis has great significance for migrating climate change and developing carbon capture and storage.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This study focuses on a comprehensive review of previous literature on conventional and advanced macroalgae and microalgae pyrolysis for producing biochar and related valuable by-products like bio-oil and bio-syngas, aiming to establish a state-of-the-art of algal biochar for different soil-related applications and demonstrate the bottlenecks and opportunities. Specifically, a thorough comparison of algae species (20 microalgae and 20 macroalgae) is developed to benefit future researchers, involving chemical compositions, proximate analysis, solid-product fraction, physical properties and chemical properties. Redox conditions, surface functional groups and pH conditions are determined in lab-scale. Moreover, different algal biochar applications on soil and plant are analysed to optimise the commercial value of algal biochar, including soil conditioner, compositing additives, carrier for fertilisers, manure treatment and stable blending. Due to the abundant mineral contents (0.23-1.21% Na, 0.03-2.92% K, 0.75-7.17% Al, 0.19-1.24% Mg, 6.5-7% Ca and 0.04-0.69% Fe) of algal biochar, this study not only reviews the positive effects on soil improvement but also negative effects such as phytotoxic effect and heavy-metal pollution. A laboratory-based chemical oxidation approach (Edinburgh Stability Tool) is used to assess relatively long-term biochar stability and the influence of nutrient cycling. The optimal pyrolysis conditions (temperature, retention time and heating rate) and potential future commercial applications are obtained through the comprehensive review of algal biochar for soil improvement.&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;


2000 ◽  
Vol 83 (S1) ◽  
pp. S181-S186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Åke Bruce

The remarkable increase over the past 40 years in some chronic diseases, including the metabolic syndrome, has increased the demand for government and international policies to encourage various approaches to decrease the risk of these diseases. There are some prerequisites for working out successful national food and nutrition policies. Firstly, it is necessary to have a clear picture of the dietary pattern in a country and its associated public health problems. Based on these data, nutrient recommendations and goals are formulated by international or national scientific committees. Governments should translate these nutrient goals into food goals and eventually into national dietary guidelines. The means by which the national authorities can implement a nutrition policy include fortification and supplementation. Equally important are educational and informative tools, such as labelling on the packed food products including information about ingredients and nutrient content. With respect to the metabolic syndrome, this implies nutrient recommendations regarding the intake of fat and carbohydrates (energy per cent) and dietary fibre; dietary guidelines regarding balance between energy intake and expenditure; decreased consumption of products rich in fat and increased consumption of cereals and other products rich in dietary fibre, etc.; recommendations from the authorities regarding nutrient labelling (content of fat and dietary fibre) on relevant products; and nutrient and health claims and other aids (symbols) as tools to make it easier for consumers to select the appropriate food products.


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