1
|
de Arruda LM, Oi LA, Pôrto LBG, Arisseto-Bragotto AP. Using labelling information to evaluate the distribution of food additives in products marketed in Brazil. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess 2023; 40:1412-1422. [PMID: 37871248 DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2023.2271978] [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: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Food additives are ingredients added to food and beverages in order to modify physical, chemical, biological or sensory characteristics, contributing to the development of products that are safer and more convenient and attractive. Although they are widely used by food industries, little is known about the distribution of the food additives currently employed in products marketed in Brazil. Therefore, this study aimed to use labelling information of commercial food and beverages in order to identify the substances currently used by the Brazilian industry. For this, 3300 labels of 426 food items described in the Personal Food Consumption module of the Household Budget Survey (POF 2017/2018) of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) were searched on websites of supermarket chains and food companies as well as by visits to commercial establishments. According to the ingredient lists of the evaluated samples, 186 distinct food additives were identified. The average number of declared substances per product was between 4 and 5, with most of the labels indicating the presence of 2 or 3 additives. Considering the identified substances, 93 had an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) not specified or not limited and 89 were additives with a numerical ADI. Citric acid and lecithin were the most frequent substances with ADI not specified or not limited while potassium sorbate and pentasodium triphosphate were the most frequent food additives with numerical ADI. The most frequent combinations found in the evaluated samples were of potassium sorbate and citric acid, and also sodium nitrite, sodium erythorbate, and sodium diphosphate. This study demonstrates the distribution of food additives in products marketed in Brazil, allowing the creation of a comprehensive and unprecedented database, which will contribute to the evaluation of usage trends and future exposure studies for health risk assessment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucas M de Arruda
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Food Engineering, University of Campinas (UNICAMP - Universidade Estadual de Campinas), Campinas-SP, Brazil
| | - Letícia A Oi
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Food Engineering, University of Campinas (UNICAMP - Universidade Estadual de Campinas), Campinas-SP, Brazil
| | - Larissa B G Pôrto
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Food Engineering, University of Campinas (UNICAMP - Universidade Estadual de Campinas), Campinas-SP, Brazil
- Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA - Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária), Brasília-DF, Brazil
| | - Adriana P Arisseto-Bragotto
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Food Engineering, University of Campinas (UNICAMP - Universidade Estadual de Campinas), Campinas-SP, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sandall A, Smith L, Svensen E, Whelan K. Emulsifiers in ultra-processed foods in the UK food supply. Public Health Nutr 2023; 26:2256-2270. [PMID: 37732384 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980023002021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Ultra-processed foods (UPF), including those containing food additive emulsifiers, have received research attention due to evidence implicating them in the pathogenesis of certain diseases. The aims of this research were to develop a large-scale, brand-level database of UPF in the UK food supply and to characterise the occurrence and co-occurrence of food additive emulsifiers. DESIGN A database was compiled sampling all products from the food categories contributing to energy intake from UPF in the UK from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2008-2014). Every food in these categories were identified from online supermarket provision from the 'big four' supermarkets that dominate the market share in the UK, comprising Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons. SETTING Major supermarkets in the UK. RESULTS A total of 32 719 food products in the UK supermarket food supply were returned in searches. Of these, 12 844 products were eligible and manually reviewed for the presence of emulsifiers. Emulsifiers were present in 6642 (51·7 %) food products. Emulsifiers were contained in 95·0 % of 'Pastries, buns and cakes', 81·9 % of 'Milk-based drinks', 81·0 % of 'Industrial desserts' and 77·5 % of 'Confectionary'. Fifty-one per cent of all emulsifier-containing foods contained multiple emulsifiers. Across emulsifier-containing foods, there were a median of two emulsifiers (IQR 2) per product. The five most common emulsifiers were lecithin (23·4 % of all products), mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (14·5 %), diphosphates (11·6 %), and xanthan gum and pectin (8·0 %). CONCLUSIONS Findings from this study are the first to demonstrate the widespread occurrence and co-occurrence of emulsifiers in UPF in the UK food supply.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Sandall
- King's College London, Department of Nutritional Sciences, Franklin Wilkins Building, London, SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Leanne Smith
- King's College London, Department of Nutritional Sciences, Franklin Wilkins Building, London, SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Erika Svensen
- King's College London, Department of Nutritional Sciences, Franklin Wilkins Building, London, SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Kevin Whelan
- King's College London, Department of Nutritional Sciences, Franklin Wilkins Building, London, SE1 9NH, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Prescott SL, D’Adamo CR, Holton KF, Ortiz S, Overby N, Logan AC. Beyond Plants: The Ultra-Processing of Global Diets Is Harming the Health of People, Places, and Planet. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6461. [PMID: 37569002 PMCID: PMC10419141 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20156461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Global food systems are a central issue for personal and planetary health in the Anthropocene. One aspect of major concern is the dramatic global spread of ultra-processed convenience foods in the last 75 years, which is linked with the rising human burden of disease and growing sustainability and environmental health challenges. However, there are also calls to radically transform global food systems, from animal to plant-derived protein sources, which may have unintended consequences. Commercial entities have moved toward this "great plant transition" with vigor. Whether motivated by profit or genuine environmental concern, this effort has facilitated the emergence of novel ultra-processed "plant-based" commercial products devoid of nutrients and fiber, and sometimes inclusive of high sugar, industrial fats, and synthetic additives. These and other ingredients combined into "plant-based" foods are often assumed to be healthy and lower in calorie content. However, the available evidence indicates that many of these products can potentially compromise health at all scales-of people, places, and planet. In this viewpoint, we summarize and reflect on the evidence and discussions presented at the Nova Network planetary health meeting on the "Future of Food", which had a particular focus on the encroachment of ultra-processed foods into the global food supply, including the plant-sourced animal protein alternatives (and the collective of ingredients therein) that are finding their way into global fast-food chains. We contend that while there has been much uncritical media attention given to the environmental impact of protein and macronutrient sources-meat vs. novel soy/pea protein burgers, etc.-the impact of the heavy industrial processing on both human and environmental health is significant but often overlooked, including effects on cognition and mental health. This calls for a more nuanced discourse that considers these complexities and refocuses priorities and value systems towards mutualistic solutions, with co-benefits for individuals, local communities, and global ecology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susan L. Prescott
- Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; (C.R.D.); (A.C.L.)
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- The ORIGINS Project, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Christopher R. D’Adamo
- Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; (C.R.D.); (A.C.L.)
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Kathleen F. Holton
- Departments of Health Studies and Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, American University, Washington, DC 20016, USA;
| | - Selena Ortiz
- Department of Health Policy and Administration, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA 16802, USA;
| | - Nina Overby
- Department of Nutrition and Public Health, Centre for Lifecourse Nutrition, University of Agder, 4630 Kristiansand, Norway;
| | - Alan C. Logan
- Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; (C.R.D.); (A.C.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dunford EK, Miles DR, Popkin B. Food Additives in Ultra-Processed Packaged Foods: An Examination of US Household Grocery Store Purchases. J Acad Nutr Diet 2023; 123:889-901. [PMID: 36931919 PMCID: PMC10200736 DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2022.11.007] [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: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Food additives have been used mainly in the past century to perform specific functions in foods. Some types of food additives have been linked to adverse health outcomes, yet there is little research examining food additives in the US food supply. OBJECTIVE To examine the proportion of products purchased by US households containing four common technical food additives using time-specific food composition data and examine whether purchases have changed over time. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING Nielsen Homescan Consumer Panels, 2001 and 2019. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The proportion of packaged food products containing common types of food additives purchased by US households was determined overall and by food category. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS PERFORMED Differences were examined using Student t test; P value < 0.001 was considered significant. RESULTS Between 2001 and 2019, the proportion of food products purchased by US households that contained additives increased from 49.6% to 59.5% (P < 0.001). The proportion of carbonated soft drinks purchased containing flavors decreased, with a subsequent increase in purchases containing nonnutritive sweeteners. Baby foods showed a 20% increase in the proportion of purchases containing additives and >15% increase in the proportion of purchases containing three or more additives. CONCLUSIONS There is convincing evidence that US household purchases of common types of technical food additives are increasing. Despite some positive changes such as a decrease in the use of added flavors in carbonated soft drinks, across most food categories an increase in purchases of all types of products containing additives was observed. In particular the finding that purchases of baby food products containing additives have increased substantially is crucial in informing future research in this area and warrants further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth K Dunford
- Food Policy Division, The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Nutrition, Gillings Global School of Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
| | - Donna R Miles
- Carolina Population Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Nutrition, Gillings Global School of Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Barry Popkin
- Carolina Population Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Nutrition, Gillings Global School of Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Montera VDSP, Martins APB, Mais LA, Canella DS. Information on food additives on food labels in Brazil: a critical analysis. Rev Saude Publica 2023; 57:2. [PMID: 36820681 PMCID: PMC9933643 DOI: 10.11606/s1518-8787.2023057004371] [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: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Questions about the safety of food additives and their consumption have been raised in recent years. The increased exposure to these substances, either by intake of ultra-processed foods or by the broad use and combination of various categories of additives, may be related to higher risks to consumer health. This article comments on the results of a study that quantified and characterized food additives found on the labels of 9,856 packaged foods and beverages available in Brazilian supermarkets. The study adopted a field diary method to record and analyze nonconformities in the lists of ingredients. The objective of this article is to discuss the use of additives identified on the labels and the limitations of Brazilian legislation, which should guarantee the right to information and health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa dos Santos Pereira Montera
- Universidade do Estado do Rio de JaneiroInstituto de NutriçãoPrograma de Pós-graduação em Alimentação, Nutrição e SaúdeRio de JaneiroRJBrasil Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Instituto de Nutrição. Programa de Pós-graduação em Alimentação, Nutrição e Saúde. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Ana Paula Bortoletto Martins
- Universidade de São PauloFaculdade de Saúde PúblicaNúcleo de Pesquisas Epidemiológicas em Nutrição e SaúdeSão PauloSPBrasil Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Saúde Pública. Núcleo de Pesquisas Epidemiológicas em Nutrição e Saúde. São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Laís Amaral Mais
- Instituto Brasileiro de Defesa do ConsumidorSão PauloSPBrasil Instituto Brasileiro de Defesa do Consumidor. São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Daniela Silva Canella
- Universidade de São PauloFaculdade de Saúde PúblicaNúcleo de Pesquisas Epidemiológicas em Nutrição e SaúdeSão PauloSPBrasil Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Saúde Pública. Núcleo de Pesquisas Epidemiológicas em Nutrição e Saúde. São Paulo, SP, Brasil,Universidade do Estado do Rio de JaneiroInstituto de Nutrição Departamento de Nutrição AplicadaRio de JaneiroRJBrasil Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Instituto de Nutrição. Departamento de Nutrição Aplicada. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Melville H, Shahid M, Gaines A, McKenzie BL, Alessandrini R, Trieu K, Wu JHY, Rosewarne E, Coyle DH. The nutritional profile of plant-based meat analogues available for sale in Australia. Nutr Diet 2023; 80:211-222. [PMID: 36651788 DOI: 10.1111/1747-0080.12793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
AIM To assess the nutritional quality of plant-based meat analogues in Australia, compared to equivalent meat products, and to assess levels of micronutrient fortification in meat analogues. METHODS This cross-sectional study used nutrition composition data for products collected in 2021 from major supermarkets in Australia. Nutritional quality was assessed using the Health Star Rating, energy (kJ), protein (g), saturated fat (g), sodium (mg), total sugars (g), and fibre content (g) per 100 g, and level of food processing using the NOVA classification. Proportion of products fortified with iron, vitamin B12 and zinc were reported. Differences in health star rating and nutrients between food categories were assessed using independent t-tests. RESULTS Seven hundred ninety products (n = 132 plant-based and n = 658 meat) across eight food categories were analysed. Meat analogues had a higher health star rating (mean 1.2 stars, [95% CI: 1.0-1.4 stars], p < 0.001), lower mean saturated fat (-2.4 g/100 g, [-2.9 to -1.8 g/100 g], p < 0.001) and sodium content (-132 mg/100 g, [-186 to -79 mg/100 g], p < 0.001), but higher total sugar content (0.7 g/100 g, [0.4-1.1 g/100 g], p < 0.001). Meat analogues and meat products had a similar proportion of ultra-processed products (84% and 89%, respectively). 12.1% of meat analogues were fortified with iron, vitamin B12 and zinc. CONCLUSION Meat analogues generally had a higher health star rating compared with meat equivalents, however, the nutrient content varied. Most meat analogues were also ultra-processed and few are fortified with key micronutrients found in meat. More research is needed to understand the health impact of these foods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Melville
- The University of Sydney, Children's Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, Westmead, Australia
| | - Maria Shahid
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Allison Gaines
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Briar L McKenzie
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Roberta Alessandrini
- Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kathy Trieu
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jason H Y Wu
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Emalie Rosewarne
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Daisy H Coyle
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Coyle DH, Huang L, Shahid M, Gaines A, Di Tanna GL, Louie JCY, Pan X, Marklund M, Neal B, Wu JHY. Socio-economic difference in purchases of ultra-processed foods in Australia: an analysis of a nationally representative household grocery purchasing panel. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2022; 19:148. [PMID: 36503612 PMCID: PMC9742014 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-022-01389-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with increased risk of obesity and non-communicable diseases. Little is known about current patterns of ultra-processed foods intake in Australia. The aim of this study was to examine the amount and type of ultra-processed foods purchased by Australian households in 2019 and determine whether purchases differed by socio-economic status (SES). We also assessed whether purchases of ultra-processed foods changed between 2015 and 2019. METHODS: We used grocery purchase data from a nationally representative consumer panel in Australia to assess packaged and unpackaged grocery purchases that were brought home between 2015 to 2019. Ultra-processed foods were identified according to the NOVA system, which classifies foods according to the nature, extent and purpose of industrial food processing. Purchases of ultra-processed foods were calculated per capita, using two outcomes: grams/day and percent of total energy. The top food categories contributing to purchases of ultra-processed foods in 2019 were identified, and differences in ultra-processed food purchases by SES (Index of Relative Social Advantage and Disadvantage) were assessed using survey-weighted linear regression. Changes in purchases of ultra-processed foods between 2015 to 2019 were examined overall and by SES using mixed linear models. RESULTS In 2019, the mean ± SD total grocery purchases made by Australian households was 881.1 ± 511.9 g/d per capita. Of this, 424.2 ± 319.0 g/d per capita was attributable to purchases of ultra-processed foods, which represented 56.4% of total energy purchased. The largest food categories contributing to total energy purchased included mass-produced, packaged breads (8.2% of total energy purchased), chocolate and sweets (5.7%), biscuits and crackers (5.7%) and ice-cream and edible ices (4.3%). In 2019, purchases of ultra-processed foods were significantly higher for the lowest SES households compared to all other SES quintiles (P < 0.001). There were no major changes in purchases of ultra-processed foods overall or by SES over the five-year period. CONCLUSIONS Between 2015 and 2019, ultra-processed foods have consistently made up the majority of groceries purchased by Australians, particularly for the lowest SES households. Policies that reduce ultra-processed food consumption may reduce diet-related health inequalities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daisy H Coyle
- Faculty of Medicine, The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2042, Australia.
| | - Liping Huang
- Faculty of Medicine, The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2042, Australia
| | - Maria Shahid
- Faculty of Medicine, The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2042, Australia
| | - Allison Gaines
- Faculty of Medicine, The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2042, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Gian Luca Di Tanna
- Faculty of Medicine, The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2042, Australia
| | - Jimmy Chun Yu Louie
- Faculty of Medicine, The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2042, Australia
- School of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Xiongfei Pan
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Matti Marklund
- Faculty of Medicine, The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2042, Australia
| | - Bruce Neal
- Faculty of Medicine, The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2042, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Jason H Y Wu
- Faculty of Medicine, The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2042, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Characterizing ingredients in commercially packaged baked products sold in the U.S.: An application of IngID. J Food Compost Anal 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jfca.2022.104830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
9
|
Leite FHM, Khandpur N, Andrade GC, Anastasiou K, Baker P, Lawrence M, Monteiro CA. Ultra-processed foods should be central to global food systems dialogue and action on biodiversity. BMJ Glob Health 2022; 7:e008269. [PMID: 35346976 PMCID: PMC8895941 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-008269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Helena Marrocos Leite
- Center for Epidemiological Research in Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Neha Khandpur
- Center for Epidemiological Research in Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Giovanna Calixto Andrade
- Center for Epidemiological Research in Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Kim Anastasiou
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | - Phillip Baker
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark Lawrence
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | - Carlos Augusto Monteiro
- Center for Epidemiological Research in Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Chan LY, Coyle DH, Wu JHY, Louie JCY. Total and Free Sugar Levels and Main Types of Sugars Used in 18,784 Local and Imported Pre-Packaged Foods and Beverages Sold in Hong Kong. Nutrients 2021; 13:3404. [PMID: 34684405 PMCID: PMC8540970 DOI: 10.3390/nu13103404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
There is limited information regarding the free sugar content of pre-packaged foods in Hong Kong. This study aims to assess the free sugar content and identify the most frequently used free sugar ingredients (FSI) in pre-packaged foods in Hong Kong. Data from 18,784 products from the 2019 FoodSwitch Hong Kong database were used in this analysis. Ingredient lists were screened to identify FSI. Total sugar content was derived from nutrition labels on packaging. Free sugar content was estimated based on adaptation of a previously established systematic methodology. Descriptive statistics of the total sugar and free sugar content, as well as the mean ± SD contribution of free sugar to total sugar of the audited products were calculated, stratified by food groups. Almost two-thirds (64.5%) of the pre-packaged foods contained at least one FSI. 'Sugar (sucrose)' was the most popular FSI that was found in more than half (54.7%) of the products. 'Fruit and vegetable juices' (median 10.0; IQR 8.3-11.5 g/100 mL) were found to have a higher median free sugar content than 'Soft drinks' (8.0; 6.0-10.6 g/100 mL). Mean ± SD contribution of free sugar to the total sugar content was 65.8 ± 43.4%, with 8 out of 14 food groups having >70% total sugar as free sugar. To conclude, free sugar, especially sucrose, was extensively used in a wide variety of pre-packaged products sold in Hong Kong. Further studies are needed to assess the population intake of free sugar in Hong Kong to inform public health policy on free sugar reduction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lok Yin Chan
- Faculty of Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 999077, China;
| | - Daisy H. Coyle
- Food Policy Division, The George Institute for Global Health, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia; (D.H.C.); (J.H.Y.W.)
| | - Jason H. Y. Wu
- Food Policy Division, The George Institute for Global Health, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia; (D.H.C.); (J.H.Y.W.)
| | - Jimmy Chun Yu Louie
- Faculty of Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 999077, China;
- Food Policy Division, The George Institute for Global Health, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia; (D.H.C.); (J.H.Y.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
An Innovative Machine Learning Approach to Predict the Dietary Fiber Content of Packaged Foods. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13093195. [PMID: 34579072 PMCID: PMC8470168 DOI: 10.3390/nu13093195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Underconsumption of dietary fiber is prevalent worldwide and is associated with multiple adverse health conditions. Despite the importance of fiber, the labeling of fiber content on packaged foods and beverages is voluntary in most countries, making it challenging for consumers and policy makers to monitor fiber consumption. Here, we developed a machine learning approach for automated and systematic prediction of fiber content using nutrient information commonly available on packaged products. An Australian packaged food dataset with known fiber content information was divided into training (n = 8986) and test datasets (n = 2455). Utilization of a k-nearest neighbors machine learning algorithm explained a greater proportion of variance in fiber content than an existing manual fiber prediction approach (R2 = 0.84 vs. R2 = 0.68). Our findings highlight the opportunity to use machine learning to efficiently predict the fiber content of packaged products on a large scale.
Collapse
|