Availability, healthiness, and price of packaged and unpackaged foods in India: A cross-sectional study

Background: Vulnerable populations are the most prone to diet-related disease. The availability, healthiness, and price of foods have established associations with diet-related disease in communities. However, data describing this in India are sparse, particularly in urban slums and rural areas. Aim: To quantify and compare availability, healthiness, and price of packaged and unpackaged foods and beverages in India, and to identify opportunities to improve diets and health of vulnerable populations. Methods: Nutrition data and price were collected on foods and beverages available at 44 stores in urban, urban slum, and rural areas in four states in India between May and August 2018. Healthiness was assessed using the Australasian Health Star Rating system and product retail prices were examined. Comparisons in the findings were made across state, community area type, and adherence to current and draft Indian food labeling regulations. Results: Packaged foods and beverages ( n = 1443, 89%) were more prevalent than unpackaged ( n = 172, 11%). Unpackaged products were healthier than packaged (mean Health Star Rating = 3.5 vs 2.0; p < 0.001) and lower in price (median price per 100 g/ml: 13.42 Indian rupees vs 25.70 Indian rupees; p < 0.001), a pattern observed across most community area types and states. 96% of packaged products were compliant with current Indian labeling regulations but only 23% were compliant with proposed labeling regulations. Conclusions: Unpackaged products were on average much healthier and lower in price than packaged foods and beverages. Food policies that support greater availability, accessibility and consumption of unpackaged foods, while limiting consumption of packaged foods, have enormous potential for sustaining the health of the Indian population.

Development of Multiplex PCR Coupled DNA Chip Technology for Assessment of Endogenous and Exogenous Allergens in GM Soybean

Allergenicity assessment of transgenic plants and foods is important for food safety, labeling regulations, and health protection. The aim of this study was to develop an effective multi-allergen diagnostic approach for transgenic soybean assessment. For this purpose, multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) coupled with DNA chip technology was employed. The study was focused on the herbicide-resistant Roundup Ready soya (RRS) using a set of certified reference materials consisting of 0, 0.1%, 0.5%, and 10% RRS. Technically, the procedure included design of PCR primers and probes; genomic DNA extraction; development of uniplex and multiplex PCR systems; DNA analysis by agarose gel electrophoresis; microarray development, hybridization, and scanning. The use of the asymmetric multiplex PCR method is shown to be very efficient for DNA hybridization with biochip probes. We demonstrate that newly developed fourplex PCR methods coupled with DNA-biochips enable simultaneous identification of three major endogenous allergens, namely, Gly m Bd 28K, Gly m Bd 30K, and lectin, as well as exogenous 5-enolppyruvyl shikimate-phosphate synthase (epsps) expressed in herbicide-resistant roundup ready GMOs. The approach developed in this study can be used for accurate, cheap, and fast testing of food allergens.

Estimating willingness-to-pay for neonicotinoid-free plants: Incorporating pro-environmental behavior in hypothetical and non-hypothetical experiments

This study investigates the extent to which individuals’ perceptions and attitudes toward pesticides and pollinator related labeling influence their preferences for eco-labeled products. An incentive compatible second-price auction and a hypothetical discrete choice experiment were used to elicit individual preferences for ornamental plants grown with or without controversial (neonicotinoid) pesticides. Positive attitudes toward pollinators, neonicotinoid labeling regulations, and labeling of sustainable production methods were found to be significant predictors of individual choice behavior. Individuals with attitudes expressing concern for pollinators and agreement with mandatory labeling and disclosure of neonicotinoids, showed a stronger preference for neonicotinoid-free plants. Our results suggest that both hypothetical and non-hypothetical experiments are consistent in predicting the general direction of consumer preferences despite the elicitation mechanism. Implications for relevant stakeholders are discussed.

Pemenuhan Peraturan Pelabelan pada Produk IRTP di Kabupaten Kebumen

Label regulations on food products must be adhered by food industries, including SMEs. The lack of awareness or understanding of SMEs on food labeling regulation causes non-complience of SMEe food products with regulations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of compliance with labeling regulations and consumer awareness of the labels on SMEs food products in Kebumen. Purposive sampling was used to determine the sample size. The data from product labels was analyzed by content analysis techniques on four distinct groups of elements, i.e. technical labeling, label writing, minimal information, and information that cannot be included. SMEs products that met writing labeling requirement were 27% and those that fulfilled the minimum label information requirement (excluding halal provision) were 40.81%. The food product with halal label was only 18%.

Research to Support the Development of Front-of-Package Labeling Regulations for Food Products in the Americas: Methods, Tools, and Procedures

This publication explores the subject of front-of-package labeling (FOPL) for food products as a means to help combat the trend toward unhealthy eating. It analyzes the methods, tools, and procedures of research into FOPL with a view to enhancing its role in regulations governing food products in the Region of the Americas. The publication makes recommendations relating to FOPL research – how it should be conducted, how results should be communicated, how FOPL schemes should be selected, and what the priorities should be. It also contains useful annexes that include, for example, a focus group discussion guide, a questionnaire, and a protocol for FOPL research. The Americas is the region of the world with the highest prevalence of overweight and obesity in the world. In 2016, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) were responsible for 78% of all deaths in the Region. Thirty-four percent of these NCD-related deaths occurred prematurely in people between the ages of 30 and 69 years. This implies that NCDs have a huge economic impact on societies. Unhealthy eating is the main modifiable factor that is driving this situation. In particular, consumption of ultra-processed products and of processed products that are nutrient poor and energy-dense and contain excessive levels of nutrients associated with NCDs has been identified as a main contributor to the epidemic of overweight and obesity. From a public health perspective, the efficacy and effectiveness of FOPL labeling will mainly depend on its ability to encourage consumers to make healthier food choices and to reduce the purchase and consumption of products that impair diets and health.

Misleading Tobacco Packaging: Moving Beyond Bans on "Light" and "Mild"

Objectives: In this paper, we assess compliance of cigarette packaging with policies in 9 countries that ban misleading descriptors, assess the presence of other packaging design elements that are misleading to consumers, and identify policy loopholes. Methods: Cigarette packages were systematically collected in 9 countries between 2015 and 2017 – Bangladesh, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Russia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The packs were coded for banned misleading descriptors and other misleading packaging design elements. Descriptive analyses were conducted. Results: Overall, compliance with explicitly banned misleading descriptors is high across countries, with the exception of packs from Indonesia, where compliance is mod- erate. However, the use of other misleading packaging elements such as alternative descriptors (soft, smooth, mellow), select color descriptors (blue, gold, silver), and a slim pack shape are still widely used in packaging design across the 9 countries examined. Conclusions: Policies that include loopholes or allow for other misleading packaging design elements could weaken the impact of recommended misleading packaging and labeling regulations as laid out in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Stronger provisions are needed and countries should consider comprehensive plain packaging.

Children’s Fruit “Juice” Drinks and FDA Regulations: Opportunities to Increase Transparency and Support Public Health

Objectives. To compare children’s drink products that contain or purport to contain juice and evaluate labels in light of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations. Methods. In 2019, we analyzed federal law for drinks that contain or purport to contain juice by using LexisNexis and FDA’s Web site, identified top-selling children’s “juice” drinks in fruit punch flavors, gathered labels in store and online, and extracted data from the principal display and information panels. Results. FDA regulations permit a wide range of names, claims, and fruit vignettes on drinks that contain or purport to contain juice, reflecting the product’s flavor and not necessarily its ingredients. We identified 39 brands of children’s drinks, including 100% juice (n = 7), diluted juices (n = 11), juice drinks (n = 8), fruit-flavored drinks (n = 8), and flavored waters (n = 5), with nonuniform statements of identity; vitamin C and low-sugar claims; and fruit vignettes representing 19 fruits. Many products contained added sugar and nonnutritive sweeteners but little to no juice. Conclusions. Principal display panels rendered it difficult to differentiate among product types, identify those with added sweeteners, and distinguish healthier products. Revised labeling regulations are warranted to support public health.

Nano-Biosensing Platforms for Detection of Cow’s Milk Allergens: An Overview

Among prevalent food allergies, cow milk allergy (CMA) is most common and may persist throughout the life. The allergic individuals are exposed to a constant threat due to milk proteins’ presence in uncounted food products like yogurt, cheese, and bakery items. The problem can be more severe due to cross-reactivity of the milk allergens in the food products due to homologous milk proteins of diverse species. This problem can be overcome by proper and reliable food labeling in order to ensure the life quality of allergic persons. Therefore, highly sensitive and accurate analytical techniques should be developed to detect the food allergens. Here, significant research advances in biosensors (specifically immunosensors and aptasensors) are reviewed for detection of the milk allergens. Different allergic proteins of cow milk are described here along with the analytical standard methods for their detection. Additionally, the commercial status of biosensors is also discussed in comparison to conventional techniques like enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The development of novel biosensing mechanisms/kits for milk allergens detection is imperative from the perspective of enforcement of labeling regulations and directives keeping in view the sensitive individuals.