The Diet of Children Attending a Holiday Programme in the UK: Adherence to UK Food-Based Dietary Guidelines and School Food Standards

Child poverty rates are rising, particularly in London, putting more children at risk of experiencing food insecurity. Holiday programmes in the UK provide children who receive free schools meals during term time with access to free/low-cost holiday clubs offering nutritious food and enriching activities during the school holidays. This study aimed to investigate whether children’s dietary intake was more adherent to the UK Eatwell Guide throughout the day and meets School Food Standards (SFS) for the lunchtime meal on a club attendance versus a non-attendance day. A repeated measures design was used to assess data on the food and drink intake of children (n = 57) aged 7–16 years old using a 24 h recall method on two separate occasions: once based on an attending club day and once based on a non-attending club day. The results showed children’s diet quality improved (p = 0.007) on an attending club day (mean: 58.0 ± SD 12.6) versus a non-attending club day (51.8 ± 15.0). Children also more closely adhered to the SFS (p = 0.001) on an attending club day (median = 9, interquartile range = 8–9) versus a non-attending club day (median = 7, interquartile range = 6–8). This suggests that holiday programmes targeting children who receive free school meals during term time have the potential to improve children’s dietary behaviours during the school holidays, underlining the importance of holiday programmes to support food security.

Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) Food and You 2: Wave 2

he Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) is run in partnership between the Food Standards Agency and Local Authorities and provides information on the standards of hygiene found in food businesses at the time they are inspected. The scheme covers businesses providing food directly to consumers, such as restaurants, pubs, cafés, takeaways, hotels, hospitals, schools and other places people eat away from home, as well as supermarkets and other food shops. In Wales, the scheme also includes businesses that trade only with other businesses, for example, manufacturers. Food and You 2: Wave 2 is the first wave of data collection to include questions relating to the FHRS. The Food and You 2 survey has replaced the biennial Food and You survey (2010-2018), biannual Public Attitudes Tracker (2010-2019) and the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) Consumer Attitudes Tracker (2014-2019). We previously commissioned the FHRS Consumer Attitudes Tracker survey to monitor consumer awareness, attitudes towards and use of the scheme. The survey moved from a biannual basis to an annual basis from 2017 onwards. Due to differences in the question content, presentation and mode of response, direct comparisons should not be made between these earlier surveys and Food and You 2.

Advances in fingerprint and rapid methods for improved traceability in agri-food supply chains

Agri-food supply and value chain markets have become increasingly complex due to the changes in consumers demands, the development of complex food standards associated with food safety and quality, advances in technology (e.g. big data, machine learning), and changes in the food industry structure. However, recent issues related to food authenticity, adulteration, fraud, mislabelling, traceability and provenance have added a new dimension to consumers’ concerns, and food industry and regulatory bodies worldwide. The incorporation of sensing technologies combined with data analytics, are determining a paradigm shift in the way food ingredients and foods are both evaluated and monitored. This chapter discusses the utilisation of data analytics and sensing technologies to address issues related with food authenticity, adulteration, fraud, traceability and provenance in the food supply and value chains. In particular, this chapter will focus on the use of rapid analytical methods based in vibrational spectroscopy in combination with data analytics.

Food and You 2: Northern Ireland. Wave 1-2 Key Findings

Food and You 2 is a biannual representative sample survey, recognised as an official statistic, commissioned by the Food Standards Agency (FSA). The survey measures selfreported consumer knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to food safety and other food issues amongst adults in Wales, England, and Northern Ireland. Food and You 2 uses a methodology, known as ‘push-to-web’, which is primarily carried out online. Fieldwork for Food and You 2: Wave 1 was conducted between 29th July and 6th October 2020. In Northern Ireland, 2,079 adults from 1,389 households completed the survey, with 57% of respondents completing the survey online. A total of 9,319 adults from 6,408 households across Northern Ireland, Wales, and England completed the survey. Fieldwork for Food and You 2: Wave 2 was conducted between 20th November 2020 and 21st January 2021. In Northern Ireland, 1,566 adults from 997 households completed the survey, with 60% of respondents completing the survey online. A total of 5,900 adults from 3,955 households across Northern Ireland, Wales, and England completed the survey. This survey was conducted during the Covid-19 pandemic and so it records the reported attitudes and behaviours under unusual circumstances which have had a significant impact on how and where people buy and eat food, and on levels of household food insecurity. The modules presented in this report include ‘Food we can trust’, ‘Concerns about food’, ’Food security’, ‘Food shopping’, ‘Eating out and takeaways’, ‘Food hypersensitivities’ and ‘Eating at home’. Findings presented in this report refer to data collected in Northern Ireland unless otherwise specified.

The Politics of Regulating Foods for Infants and Young Children: A Case Study on the Framing and Contestation of Codex Standard-Setting Processes on Breast-Milk Substitutes

Background: Breastfeeding is important for the health and development of the child, and for maternal health, in all country contexts. However, global sales of breast-milk substitutes (BMS), including infant, follow-up and toddler formulas, have ‘boomed’ in recent decades. This raises the importance of international food standards established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex) on the safety, composition and labelling of BMS. Such standards appear to be strongly contested by governments, industry and civil society groups, yet few studies have investigated the politics of Codex standard-setting processes. The aim of this paper is to understand who participates in decision-making, and how actors frame and contest proposals to revise the Codex Standard on Follow-up Formula (FUF). Methods: We adopted a case study design involving two steps. First, we enumerated government, industry, civil society, and international organization stakeholders participating in standard-setting processes of the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU). Second, we conducted a framing analysis of stakeholder inputs during the FUF standard revision in CCNFSDU meetings. Publicly available online meeting reports (2015-2019) were retrieved, analyzed using a theoretical framework, and organized thematically. Results: High-income country (HIC) delegates greatly outnumbered those from other country income categories. Industry representation was higher compared with other observer categories Member state delegations included more industry representation than civil society representation, and were occasionally the only member state delegates. Industry stakeholders framed arguments in terms of trade implications, science, and flexible standards. Civil society groups used public health, science, and pro-breastfeeding frames. Conclusion: Codex BMS standard-setting procedures are dominated by HICs and industry groups. Limited representation of civil society, and of middle- and low-income countries, suggest actions are needed to substantially increase support for their involvement at Codex. Such representation may help to counteract power asymmetries and commercial influences on food standards for infants and young children.

Procurement and delivery of food at holiday provision clubs

While school food initiatives across England sup­port children’s nutritional intake during school term time, there is no universal state provision dur­ing the school holidays to reduce the risk of chil­dren experiencing food insecurity. In the absence of a national program of holiday provision, com­munity organizations in disadvantaged com­muni­ties have established holiday clubs offering free food and activities to children. This paper exam­ines how these holiday clubs source food and the challenges of procuring food and delivering healthy meals that adhere to UK School Food Standards. Results indicate that holiday clubs adopt a variety of procurement strategies including rely­ing upon donated food. While club leaders have sought opportunities to source food cost-effectively, the findings suggest significant chal­lenges for these clubs to achieve their aim of delivering healthy meals. Findings point to needs for sustainable funding and the developing healthy food procure­ment policies and processes that align with a wider food strategy.

Food and You 2: Wales Wave 1-2 Key Findings

Food and You 2 is a biannual representative sample survey, recognised as an official statistic, commissioned by the Food Standards Agency (FSA). The survey measures selfreported consumer knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to food safety and other food issues amongst adults in Wales, England, and Northern Ireland. Food and You 2 uses a methodology, known as ‘push-to-web’, which is primarily carried out online. Fieldwork for Food and You 2: Wave 1 was conducted between 29th July and 6th October 2020. In Wales, 2,100 adults from 1,579 households completed the survey, with 68% of respondents completing the survey online. A total of 9,319 adults from 6,408 households across Wales, England, and Northern Ireland completed the survey. Fieldwork for Food and You 2: Wave 2 was conducted between 20th November 2020 and 21st January 2021. In Wales, 1,366 adults from 1,042 households completed the survey, with 67% of respondents completing the survey online. A total of 5,900 adults from 3,955 households across Wales, England, and Northern Ireland completed the survey. This survey was conducted during the Covid-19 pandemic and so it records the reported attitudes and behaviours under unusual circumstances which have had a significant impact on how and where people buy and eat food, and on levels of household food insecurity. The modules presented in this report include ‘Food we can trust’, ‘Concerns about food’, ’Food security’, ‘Food shopping’, ‘Eating out and takeaways’, ‘Food hypersensitivities’ and ‘Eating at home’. Findings presented in this report refer to data collected in Wales unless otherwise specified.

Prevalence and Types of Non-Nutritive Sweeteners in the New Zealand Food Supply, 2013 and 2019

The widely recognized association between high sugar intakes and adverse health outcomes has increased consumer demand for products lower in sugar. This may lead to increased use of other sweeteners by the food industry. The current study investigated the prevalence and types of non-nutritive sweeteners over time (2013–2019) in New Zealand’s packaged food and beverages, overall and between categories. A New Zealand database of packaged foods and beverages was used to investigate the presence of Food Standards Australia New Zealand Code-approved non-nutritive sweeteners (n = 12). Products available in 2013 (n = 12,153) and 2019 (n = 14,645) were compared. Between 2013 and 2019, the prevalence of non-nutritive sweeteners in products increased from 3% to 5%. The most common non-nutritive sweeteners in both years were acesulphame-potassium, sucralose, aspartame, and stevia, which were predominantly found in special foods (breakfast beverages and nutritional supplements), non-alcoholic beverages, dairy products, and confectionery. The prevalence of non-nutritive sweeteners is increasing over time in New Zealand’s packaged foods and beverages and is likely a consequence of consumer demand for lower-sugar products. Ongoing monitoring of the prevalence and type of NNS is important to detect further increases.

AMR Consumer Perceptions Survey

As part of the UK national action plan on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the Food Standards Agency (FSA) is working to improve the scientific evidence base around consumer perceptions and understanding. A consumer survey was carried out in 2016 and 2019, and replicated in 2021, to understand current views and awareness, and to identify any changes over time.

Investigating the healthiness of food products on promotion: market brands and own brands

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the proportionality of market brand (MB) foods versus supermarket own brand (OB) foods sold on promotion and to compare their healthiness.Design/methodology/approachAn existing dataset containing nutritional information about a variety of foods on promotion (n = 6,776) from 48 stores across 8 retail chains in Northern Ireland (NI) was reanalysed. Product healthiness was measured using a score aligned to the Food Standards Agency's Front of Pack nutrient labelling system. MBs and OBs were considered as a whole and in their respective subsets–international/national and regional MBs, and premium, mid-market and value tiered OBs.FindingsResults found a balance in favour of health (52.4% amber/green versus 47.6% red) across retailers' promotions in NI. Further, OB products were often found to be superior to MBs with regards to overall healthfulness, and regional brands were found to be less healthy than international/national brands.Research limitations/implicationsFindings rationale further retail research to compare nutritionally OB and MB product types, and further consumer research regarding important attributes of OBs.Practical implicationsRetailers should communicate the comparative healthiness of their OBs in comparison to MB alternatives, in addition to communicating comparative price savings. There is opportunity for retailers to increase visibility of mid-market and value OB tiers, and for regional MBs to improve the nutritional profile of products in line with the consumer trend for health.Originality/valueThis study provides a contribution by using data on OBs and MBs on promotion, and by investigating the nutritional differences between different tiers of OB and MB products.