Evaluation of the Nutritional Quality of Processed Foods in Honduras: Comparison of Three Nutrient Profiles

Commonly consumed processed packaged foods in Bangladesh are unhealthy and their nutrient contents are not in conformity with the label declaration

The present study was undertaken to identify the major nutrient content in processed foods commonly consumed in Bangladesh, their label conformity healthiness, and percent daily nutrient contribution. Twenty-four nationally representative composite samples were analyzed using AOAC and other standard methods. Results were compared with label information using a restrictive approach and EU tolerance guidelines. The healthiness of the products was evaluated in terms of the Health Star Rating (HSR) scheme and the UK traffic light labeling system. Among the analyzed samples, fried pulse, chanachur, lozenge, and fried peas had the highest amount of protein, fat, carbohydrates, and dietary fiber, respectively. Biscuits and milk chocolate had high levels of trans fatty acids (TFA) and saturated fatty acids (SFA). It was observed that around half of the products lacked information about saturated fatty acid (46%), followed by total dietary fiber and trans-fat (38% each). Other information was missing in one-fifth of the products, namely protein (17%), total fat (17%), available carbohydrate (17%), energy (17%), sugar (21%), and salt (21%). Label compliance analysis according to the restrictive approach revealed that none of the products accurately reported the salt, sugar, saturated fat, and trans fat content on the label. According to the EU tolerance guideline, approximately half of the products had protein (58%), fat (54%), and carbohydrate (42%) levels that fell within the EU tolerance limit. However, only around one-third of the samples had sugar (21%), salt (38%), and saturated fat (33%) levels that met the EU tolerance limit. In terms of healthiness analysis, according to the HSR, the range of stars was between 0.5 and 2.5 of the foods where fried peas got the highest rating (2.5 stars), while in terms of the UK traffic light system, none of the samples got all green signals. The lozenge got green lights for fat, SFA, and salt contents. It was also found that consumption of 100 g of fried peas or pulse would exceed the acceptable daily limit of salt, sugar, and SFA compared to the daily maximum allowable intake for the 2000 kcal diet recommended by the WHO. However, according to the serving size, biscuits were major contributors of TFA, sugar, and SFA, whereas fried pulse was a key contributor of sodium/salt. Proper regulatory actions should be introduced to promote healthy processed foods with user-friendly front-of-the-pack labeling and monitor their quality to prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Ultraprocessed Foods and Cancer in Low-Middle-Income Countries

Low middle income countries (LMICs) are the predominant contributors to global cancer-related mortality and are projected to bear the greater share of the global cancer burden in the next few decades. Among other factors, lifestyle changes have been linked to the rising incidence of cancer in these countries. As one of the keys to a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet plays a major role in the preservation of health. Globalization and rapid urbanization have prompted a paradigm shift in various aspects of daily life in LMICs; the influence on dietary choices has been particularly noticeable. Studies show a concerning rise in the sale and consumption of ultraprocessed foods in these countries. In addition to hyperpalatability, this trend has been attributed to various other factors including convenience, availability, economic considerations, and marketing strategies. Although several studies from LMICs recognize and recommend the need for effective public health measures to reduce the consumption of these foods, findings from certain studies suggest that established public health strategies occasionally fail in the real-world scenario. Barriers to effective policymaking also contribute to the prevailing dietary trends. This review of studies from the LMIC setting demonstrates the current problem, limitations of established public health measures, and the complexities associated with effective policymaking. In view of the threat posed to cancer risk, there is an urgent need to curb the consumption of ultraprocessed foods in LMICs. National policymakers therefore need to circumnavigate the challenges effectively to ensure timely achievement of the United Nations sustainable development goals.

Nutritional Quality of Pre-Packaged Foods in China under Various Nutrient Profile Models

This study used various nutrient profile models (NPMs) to evaluate the nutritional quality of pre-packaged foods in China to inform future food policy development. Nutrition data for pre-packaged foods were collected through FoodSwitch China in 2017-2020. The analyses included 73,885 pre-packaged foods, including 8236 beverages and 65,649 foods. Processed foods (PFs) and ultra-processed foods (UPFs) accounted for 8222 (11.4%) and 47,003 (63.6%) of all products, respectively. Among the 55,425 PFs and UPFs, the overall proportion of products with an excessive quantity of at least one negative nutrient was 86.0% according to the Chilean NPM (2019), 83.3% for the Pan American Health Organization NPM (PAHO NPM), and 90.6% for the Western Pacific Region NPM for protecting children from food marketing (WPHO NPM), respectively. In all NPMs, 70.4% of PFs and UPFs were identified as containing an excessive quantity of at least one negative nutrient, with higher proportions of UPFs compared to PFs. Food groups exceeding nutrient thresholds in most NPMs included snack foods, meat and meat products, bread and bakery products, non-alcoholic beverages, confectionery, and convenience foods. In conclusion, PFs and UPFs accounted for three-fourths of pre-packaged foods in China, and the majority of PFs and UPFs exceeded the threshold for at least one negative nutrient under all three NPMs. Given the need to prevent obesity and other diet-related chronic diseases, efforts are warranted to improve the healthiness of foods in China through evidence-based food policy.

[Nutrient profile of food products exempted from the application of front-ofpackage warnings during the first stage of the Healthy Eating Law in Peru: case studyPerfil nutricional de produtos alimentícios isentos da aplicação de advertências na parte frontal da embalagem durante a primeira etapa da Lei de Alimentação Saudável no Peru: estudo de caso]

Objective

Identify the nutritional profile of food products exempted from presenting one or more front-ofpackage nutritional warnings during the first stage of Law 30,021 on the Promotion of Healthy Eating for Children and Adolescents in Peru.

Methods

Data were collected on 188 products from points of sale in the city of Lima. The convenience sample included products that until September 17, 2021 were exempted by the legislation from presenting any of the warning labels for sugar, sodium, or saturated fats. An assessment was made of the proportion of products that would be required to apply one or more warning labels when the second stage of the legislation takes effect. It was also calculated how many products exempted from the application of warning labels contain excess sugar, sodium, or saturated fats, according to the criteria of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

Results

76.1% of the products exceeded at least one of the thresholds for sugar, sodium, or saturated fats that entered in force in September 2021. The proportion of products that the law exempts from warnings and that contain excess sugar, sodium, or saturated fats according to PAHO will be 4.2, 3.4, and 2.3 times lower, respectively, in the second stage.

Conclusion

During the first stage of the law's entry into force, 58%, 42%, and 28.2% of the products exempted from the presentation of warning labels contained excess sugar, saturated fats, or sodium, respectively, according to PAHO.

Sodium Content of Foods Sold in the Spanish Market. Results from the BADALI Project

High sodium/salt intake is a risk factor for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Excess sodium intake has been associated with high coronary heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure. The sodium daily intake is above the recommendations in the world as well as in Spain. Reducing salt content in processed foods and ready meals is one of the main strategies for reducing sodium intake. The aim of the present work is to characterise the presence of sodium in foods sold in the Spanish market. We also study a possible shift in sodium content in products over the last few years. For this purpose, 3897 products included in the BADALI food database were analysed, classified into 16 groups (G). We found that 93.3% of all foods displayed the sodium/salt content in the nutrition declaration. Meat-processed and derivatives (G8) had the highest mean and median values for sodium content, followed by snacks (G15) and sauces (G14). Only 12.7% of foods were sodium-free (≤5 mg/100 g or 100 mL), 32.4% had very low sodium (≤40 mg/100 g or 100 mL) and 48.2% were low in sodium (≤120 mg/100 g or 100 mL). On the contrary, 47.2% were high in sodium according to the Pan American Health Organisation Nutrient Profile Model (PAHO-NPM), while there were 31.9% according to the Chile-NPM. The agreement between the two NPMs was considered 'substantial' (κ = 0.67). When sodium content was compared over the years, no decrease was observed. This analysis was performed in the entire food population, by food group and in matched products. Therefore, more effort should be made by all parties involved in order to decrease the sodium/salt intake in the population.

What Is the Nutritional Composition of Ultra-Processed Food Marketed in Italy?

The present study aimed to provide a descriptive analysis of the nutrient profile of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) marketed in Italy according to three front-of-pack labeling (FOPL) schemes implemented by France, i.e., the Nutriscore; by the United Kingdom, i.e., Multiple Traffic Lights (MTL); and by Italy, i.e., the NutrInform battery. The analysis was made in fourteen food product categories, corresponding to 124 foods. The application of the Nutriscore scheme showed that a significant proportion of foods (23%) were awarded an A or B. Furthermore, the analysis according to the MTL showed that food products that were above the threshold (“red”) for fat, saturated fats, sugars, and salt ranged from 13% to 31%. Interestingly, even though all foods considered in the analysis were UPF, they were heterogeneous in nutritional composition, as demonstrated by the FOPL schemes applied, showing that UPF represent a heterogeneous group of foods with different characteristics. Such a finding may have relevant implications for epidemiological studies that analyze the association between UPF consumption and health outcomes, suggesting the need for better characterization of the effects of UPF intake on human health.