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Robinson E, Cummings JR, Gough T, Jones A, Evans R. Consumer Awareness, Perceptions and Avoidance of Ultra-Processed Foods: A Study of UK Adults in 2024. Foods 2024; 13:2317. [PMID: 39123509 PMCID: PMC11311829 DOI: 10.3390/foods13152317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ultra-processed food (UPF) is currently not included in most countries' dietary guidance. However, there may be growing public interest and consumer avoidance of UPF due to media reporting of studies on the negative health outcomes associated with UPFs. METHODS We surveyed 2386 UK adults (M age = 45 years, 50% female) during February-April 2024. Participants completed measures on awareness of the term UPF, whether the UPF status of foods affects their dietary decision-making, and confidence in identifying UPFs. Participants categorised a list of 10 foods (5 UPFs and 5 non-UPFs) as UPF vs. not, before rating whether information about studies linking UPF to worse health impacts on their negative affect and acts as a deterrent to consuming UPFs. RESULTS Most participants (73%) were aware of the term UPF and 58% reported that their food choices are determined by whether they believe a food is ultra-processed or not. Participants with the highest income and education levels were most likely to report both being aware of, and, avoiding consuming UPFs. Most participants could not accurately categorise whether foods were UPFs. Some sociodemographic groups (e.g., higher education levels) were more likely to accurately categorise UPFs but were also more likely to incorrectly believe that non-UPFs were UPFs. Participants tended to report that UPF-health risk information increases negative affect and acts as a deterrent to consuming UPFs. CONCLUSIONS In this study, a large number of UK adults reported avoiding consuming UPFs. This was particularly pronounced among those with the highest education and income levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Robinson
- Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool 69 7ZA, UK; (J.R.C.)
| | - Jenna R. Cummings
- Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool 69 7ZA, UK; (J.R.C.)
| | - Thomas Gough
- Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool 69 7ZA, UK; (J.R.C.)
| | - Andrew Jones
- School of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 5AH, UK
| | - Rebecca Evans
- Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool 69 7ZA, UK; (J.R.C.)
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2
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Kotchetkoff ECDA, Suano-Souza FI, Neri Gama de Almeida D, Barreto TLN, Mendonça RB, Sarni ROS. Ultra-processed food intake and food allergy in children and adolescents. Int J Food Sci Nutr 2024; 75:317-324. [PMID: 38291710 DOI: 10.1080/09637486.2024.2306296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to describe the dietary intake of ultra-processed foods (UPF) by children and adolescents with food allergy (FA) and to verify a possible association between the UPF intake with clinical characteristics and nutritional status in this group. This cross-sectional study included 110 children and adolescents with single or multiple FA IgE and non-IgE mediated. We evaluated food intake using the NOVA classification through the three 24-h recalls. The average contribution of UPF to total energy intake (calories) ranges from 21% in the first quartile to 43% in the last quartile (mean UPF intake 33.9 ± 14.9%). After binary logistic regression, an association was verified between dietary intake of UPF (>4th quartile) as a percentage of total energy intake and having multiple food allergies (OR 4.102; 95% CI - 1.331 to 12.643; p = .014). We concluded that children and adolescents with FA consumed a higher amount of UPF.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Daniela Neri Gama de Almeida
- Nucleus for Epidemiological Research in Nutrition and Healthy (NUPENS), Faculty of Public Health at University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Roseli Oselka Saccardo Sarni
- Pediatrics Department, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Centro Universitario FMABC, Brazil, and Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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3
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D’Angelo Campos A, Ng SW, McNeel K, Hall MG. How Promising Are "Ultraprocessed" Front-of-Package Labels? A Formative Study with US Adults. Nutrients 2024; 16:1072. [PMID: 38613105 PMCID: PMC11013171 DOI: 10.3390/nu16071072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
High levels of food processing can have detrimental health effects independent of nutrient content. Experts and advocates have proposed adding information about food processing status to front-of-package labeling schemes, which currently exclusively focus on nutrient content. How consumers would perceive "ultraprocessed" labels has not yet been examined. To address this gap, we conducted a within-subjects online experiment with a convenience sample of 600 US adults. Participants viewed a product under three labeling conditions (control, "ultraprocessed" label, and "ultraprocessed" plus "high in sugar" label) in random order for a single product. The "ultraprocessed" label led participants to report thinking more about the risks of eating the product and discouraging them from wanting to buy the product more than the control, despite not grabbing more attention than the control. The "ultraprocessed" plus "high in sugar" labels grabbed more attention, led participants to think more about the risks of eating the product, and discouraged them from wanting to buy the product more than the "ultraprocessed" label alone. "Ultraprocessed" labels may constitute promising messages that could work in tandem with nutrient labels, and further research should examine how they would influence consumers' actual intentions and behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline D’Angelo Campos
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA;
| | - Shu Wen Ng
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA;
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Katherine McNeel
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Marissa G. Hall
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA;
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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4
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Gonzales Santos M, Rosenthal A, Beatriz Araujo Martins I, de Alcantara M, Almeida Lima M, de Assis Carvalho R, Deliza R. Exploring the role of the general interest in health on the perceptions of Healthy, Industrialized, and Ultra-processed foods among Brazilians. Food Res Int 2024; 181:113992. [PMID: 38448090 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2024.113992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Food processing includes operations that transform raw materials into new products, ensuring the preservation and supply of safe food; however, this view is not always understood by consumers who tend to associate any type of processing with something negative and harmful to health. Given this, the objective of this study was to explore the associations of Brazilian consumers in relation to healthy foods, industrialized foods, and ultra-processed foods, as well as to evaluate the role of socio-demographic characteristics and interest in health in these associations. To this end, 512 Brazilians completed a word association task on these three concepts and then answered a questionnaire about interest in health and socio-demographic issues. In general, participants associated "Healthy food" mainly with "Unprocessed products." Conversely, "Industrialized foods" and "Ultra-processed foods" were associated with "Processed products," "Negative perceptions," "Health harm," and "Industry". Despite this, it was found that "Industrialized foods" were also perceived positively, mainly due to convenience. Consumer associations were influenced (p ≤ 0.05) both by interest in health and by socio-demographic profile. Individuals with a high interest in health mainly associated "Industrialized foods" and "Ultra-processed foods" with the presence of preservatives, additives, and pesticides, and with diseases. As for those with low interest in health, there was a greater lack of knowledge of the concepts. Doubts and lack of knowledge were observed for "Industrialized foods" and "Ultra-processed foods," mainly among consumers with low educational level. The results indicate the need to develop communication strategies that reach consumers to facilitate understanding and, in this way, help them to make more conscious food choices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Gonzales Santos
- Graduate Program of Food Science and Technology, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Rodovia BR 456, km 7, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil; Faculty of Technological Sciences, Universidad Nacional de Agricultura, Carretera a Dulce Nombre de Culmí, km 215, Barrio El Espino, Catacamas, Honduras.
| | - Amauri Rosenthal
- Embrapa Agroindústria de Alimentos, Av. das Américas 29501, CEP 23.020-470 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Marcela de Alcantara
- PDJ/Faperj/Embrapa Agroindústria de Alimentos, Av. das Américas 29501 CEP 23.020-470 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Mariah Almeida Lima
- Graduate Program of Food Science and Technology, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Rodovia BR 456, km 7, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Raíssa de Assis Carvalho
- Graduate Program of Food Science and Technology, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Rodovia BR 456, km 7, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rosires Deliza
- Embrapa Agroindústria de Alimentos, Av. das Américas 29501, CEP 23.020-470 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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5
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McClements DJ. Designing healthier and more sustainable ultraprocessed foods. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 2024; 23:e13331. [PMID: 38517032 DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.13331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
The food industry has been extremely successful in creating a broad range of delicious, affordable, convenient, and safe food and beverage products. However, many of these products are considered to be ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) that contain ingredients and are processed in a manner that may cause adverse health effects. This review article introduces the concept of UPFs and briefly discusses food products that fall into this category, including beverages, baked goods, snacks, confectionary, prepared meals, dressings, sauces, spreads, and processed meat and meat analogs. It then discusses correlations between consumption levels of UPFs and diet-related chronic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes. The different reasons for the proposed ability of UPFs to increase the risk of these chronic diseases are then critically assessed, including displacement of whole foods, high energy densities, missing phytochemicals, contamination with packaging chemicals, hyperpalatability, harmful additives, rapid ingestion and digestion, and toxic reaction products. Then, potential strategies to overcome the current problems with UPFs are presented, including reducing energy density, balancing nutritional profile, fortification, increasing satiety response, modulating mastication and digestion, reengineering food structure, and precision processing. The central argument is that it may be possible to reformulate and reengineer many UPFs to improve their healthiness and sustainability, although this still needs to be proved using rigorous scientific studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Julian McClements
- Department of Food Science & Bioengineering, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Food Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
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6
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Barbaresko J, Bröder J, Conrad J, Szczerba E, Lang A, Schlesinger S. Ultra-processed food consumption and human health: an umbrella review of systematic reviews with meta-analyses. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2024:1-9. [PMID: 38363072 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2024.2317877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Recently, ultra-processed foods received a lot of attention, but also criticism. Our aim was to provide an overview of the existing evidence of ultra-processed food consumption on human health. We conducted a systematic search in four databases until January 5th, 2024. Systematic reviews with meta-analyses on ultra-processed food consumption as defined by the NOVA classification system were included. The certainty of evidence was evaluated by the GRADE approach. We identified 16 publications. Moderate certainty of evidence was found for all-cause mortality (Summary Risk Ratio per 50 g: 1.02; 95% confidence Interval (CI): 1.01, 1.03), cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality (per 50 g/d: 1.04; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.06, and 1.05; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.08), type 2 diabetes incidence (per 10%: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.13) and colorectal cancer (per 10%: 1.04; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.07). For several outcomes such as inflammatory bowel diseases, obesity, metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, mental health as well as nutrient quality, similar estimates were observed, but certainty of evidence was limited. Discussing the NOVA concept, it remains unclear whether the processing of foods leads to increased health risks or if ultra-processed food consumption is only a measure for poor diet quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janett Barbaresko
- Institute for Biometrics and Epidemiology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | | | - Edyta Szczerba
- Institute for Biometrics and Epidemiology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Partner Düsseldorf, Munich-Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Alexander Lang
- Institute for Biometrics and Epidemiology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Sabrina Schlesinger
- Institute for Biometrics and Epidemiology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Partner Düsseldorf, Munich-Neuherberg, Germany
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7
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Monteiro JS, Nakano EY, Zandonadi RP, Botelho RBA, Araújo WMC. How Do Brazilian Consumers Understand Food Groups in the Food-based Dietary Guidelines? Foods 2024; 13:338. [PMID: 38275705 PMCID: PMC10814934 DOI: 10.3390/foods13020338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
In the Food-based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs), food classification is based on food groups and nutrient sources. Much research has already investigated multiple aspects of consumer understanding of the information described in these documents. However, no study has evaluated consumer understanding of all food items contained in the groups described in the FBDGs. This study aimed to assess Brazilian consumers' understanding of food classification according to food groups in the concepts of the FBDGs. Therefore, an instrument, Consumer Understanding of Food Groups (UFG), was constructed and validated to assess consumer understanding of food groups. The instrument comprised 44 items approved by experts (agreement > 80%). A total of 894 Brazilians from all regions participated in this study. The results suggest that 48.9% of the participants believe it is easier to classify food according to food groups. The classification of food groups is based on the origin of the food (animal and vegetable). Although consumers easily recognize foods according to their origin, we still identify asymmetries regarding including food items from the animal kingdom and species from the plant kingdom. This exploratory study highlights important information that can contribute to improving the FBDGs. It is essential to consider consumers' understanding and guide them regarding choices from a technical point of view.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordanna Santos Monteiro
- Department of Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, University of Brasilia (UnB), Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil; (J.S.M.); (R.P.Z.); (R.B.A.B.)
| | - Eduardo Yoshio Nakano
- Department of Statistics, Central Institute of Sciences, University of Brasilia (UnB), Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil;
| | - Renata Puppin Zandonadi
- Department of Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, University of Brasilia (UnB), Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil; (J.S.M.); (R.P.Z.); (R.B.A.B.)
| | - Raquel Braz Assunção Botelho
- Department of Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, University of Brasilia (UnB), Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil; (J.S.M.); (R.P.Z.); (R.B.A.B.)
| | - Wilma Maria Coelho Araújo
- Department of Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, University of Brasilia (UnB), Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil; (J.S.M.); (R.P.Z.); (R.B.A.B.)
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8
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Bestari FF, Andarwulan N, Palupi E. Synthesis of Effect Sizes on Dose Response from Ultra-Processed Food Consumption against Various Noncommunicable Diseases. Foods 2023; 12:4457. [PMID: 38137261 PMCID: PMC10742878 DOI: 10.3390/foods12244457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs), according to the NOVA classification food system, are food products that are processed using advanced processing technology, which improves palatability and sensory quality. However, UPFs increase the daily intake of energy, sodium, sugar, and total fat (including saturated fat), and decrease the intake of fiber. This might trigger overweight and obesity, the initial stages of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). However, the effect of UPF consumption on NCDs remains under debate. This study aimed to synthesize the effect size of UPF dose response on various NCDs by using a meta-analysis method. The main output was a hazard ratio (HR) and a 95% confidence interval (CI). Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) selection guidelines, 18 research articles were chosen for further effect size synthesis. The results showed that UPF consumption significantly increased the daily intake of carbohydrates, added sugar, saturated fat, sodium, energy, cholesterol, and total fat; increases of 49.64, 40.78, 30.00, 27.76, 26.67, 25.69, and 15.77%, respectively, were observed. Moreover, with UPF consumption, the fiber intake was way below the daily dietary recommendation (DR), at -38.55%. Further, a 10% increment in UPF consumption significantly affects diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and cancer (HR ± 95% CI: 1.115 ± 0.044, 1.096 ± 0.053, 1.068 ± 0.050, and 1.020 ± 0.020, respectively). Thus, limiting daily UPF consumption could help prevent obesity and various NCDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fairuz Firda Bestari
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, IPB University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia
| | - Nuri Andarwulan
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, IPB University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia
| | - Eny Palupi
- Department of Community Nutrition, Faculty of Human Ecology, IPB University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia
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9
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Monteiro JS, Botelho RBA, Zandonadi RP, Araujo WMC. Is There a Convergence between the Food Classification Adopted by Food-Based Dietary Guidelines and Food Science and Technology? Foods 2023; 12:3824. [PMID: 37893716 PMCID: PMC10606280 DOI: 10.3390/foods12203824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) proposed the dietary guidelines presented as the Food-based Dietary Guidelines (FBDG). The FBDG classify foods according to their origin, nature, nutrient source, food group, and processing level. Food science and technology (FST) ranks food according to its origin, perishability, nutrient source, processing, food group, and formulation. This paper aimed to compare the convergence points for food classification according to the FBDG and FST. This study was carried out in two phases. The first step was identifying the Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDG). For each of the FBDG, food items were grouped as fruits, vegetables, cereals, sugars, fat and oils, legumes, foods from animals, dairy products, and others. The second step aimed to identify and describe the different food classification systems. The search was performed on PubMed®, Science Direct, and Web of Science and websites of international organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Codex Alimentarius. Our results show that the points of convergence between the classifications were the classification in terms of origin (animal and vegetable), nutrient sources, and food groups. However, inconsistencies were observed for the distribution of food items in each group in the 98 surveyed FBDG. As for nature, there was a convergence for in natura, minimally processed, and processed foods. However, the criteria adopted for minimally processed and processed foods described in the FBDG differ from those considered by the FST. FST also does not recognize the classification of foods concerning the level of processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordanna Santos Monteiro
- Department of Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, University of Brasília, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasilia 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Raquel Braz Assunção Botelho
- Department of Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, University of Brasília, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasilia 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Renata Puppin Zandonadi
- Department of Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, University of Brasília, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasilia 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Wilma Maria Coelho Araujo
- Department of Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, University of Brasília, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasilia 70910-900, DF, Brazil
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Rodríguez-Martín NM, Córdoba P, Sarriá B, Verardo V, Pedroche J, Alcalá-Santiago Á, García-Villanova B, Molina-Montes E. Characterizing Meat- and Milk/Dairy-like Vegetarian Foods and Their Counterparts Based on Nutrient Profiling and Food Labels. Foods 2023; 12:foods12061151. [PMID: 36981078 PMCID: PMC10048389 DOI: 10.3390/foods12061151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Vegetarian foods are plant-based (PB) foods, often perceived as healthier foods than animal-based (AB) foods. The objective of this study was to analyze the nutritional quality of a set of PB foods (meat, milk and dairy products) marketed in Spain, and to compare their nutrient profiles with respect to some AB counterparts. Nutritional information per 100 g or mL, ingredients, and nutritional declarations, as well as the Nutri-Score, NOVA, and Eco-Score of each food were collected from Open Food Facts. Differences in the nutrient compositions between PB foods and their counterparts, and between the different groups of PB foods, were assessed at a 5% significance level. A total of 544 PB foods and 373 AB foods were identified. Overall, PB foods had a higher median content of fiber and carbohydrates, but a lower amount of proteins (except PB "meat" analogues: 14 g) and saturated fats (except PB "cheese alternatives": 12.5 g), than the AB counterparts (p < 0.05). PB "milk alternatives", particularly oat "milk", showed a higher median content of total carbohydrates (8 g) and sugars (5.5 g) compared to cow milks (4.7 g carbohydrates/sugars, on average; p < 0.001). PB "meat alternatives" also had a significantly higher value of carbohydrates (9 g) than AB meats (2 g, on average; p < 0.001). PB foods were mostly classified as Nutri-Score A and B (86%). However, more than half of them were of NOVA groups 3 and 4. Thus, there is a great diversity of PB meat and milk/dairy product alternatives on the Spanish market. Despite being products of good nutritional quality compared to AB foods, they also carry drawbacks that could have an impact on nutritional health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia María Rodríguez-Martín
- Group of Plant Protein, Department of Food and Health, Instituto de la Grasa-CSIC, Campus Universitario Pablo de Olavide, Edificio 46, Carretera de Utrera Km. 1, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Patricia Córdoba
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Beatriz Sarriá
- Department of Metabolism and Nutrition, Institute of Food Science, Technology and Nutrition (ICTAN-CSIC), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), José Antonio Nováis 10, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, University Complutense of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Vito Verardo
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INYTA) 'José Mataix', Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, Avenida del Conocimiento s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Justo Pedroche
- Group of Plant Protein, Department of Food and Health, Instituto de la Grasa-CSIC, Campus Universitario Pablo de Olavide, Edificio 46, Carretera de Utrera Km. 1, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Ángela Alcalá-Santiago
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INYTA) 'José Mataix', Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, Avenida del Conocimiento s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, 18012 Granada, Spain
| | - Belén García-Villanova
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Esther Molina-Montes
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INYTA) 'José Mataix', Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, Avenida del Conocimiento s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, 18012 Granada, Spain
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
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11
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Sobral PJDA, Lenart A, Dalla Rosa M. Editorial: Classification of foods according to their processing level. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1128477. [PMID: 36814506 PMCID: PMC9939893 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1128477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Paulo José do Amaral Sobral
- Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, Brazil,*Correspondence: Paulo José do Amaral Sobral ✉
| | - Andrzej Lenart
- Department of Food Engineering and Process Management, Faculty of Food Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marco Dalla Rosa
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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12
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Naturalness and healthiness in “ultra-processed foods”: A multidisciplinary perspective and case study. Trends Food Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2022.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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