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Muzzioli L, Frigerio F, Mazziotta M, Donini LM, Pinto A, Poggiogalle E. Food Compass and the challenge of sustainability on the route towards healthful diets. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6919. [PMID: 38519527 PMCID: PMC10960031 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57615-9] [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: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
In order to tackle the global increase in overweight and obesity prevalence, several nutrient profiling systems have been developed; among others, Food Compass Score (FCS) has been designed to encompass multiple domains of food healthfulness. However, environmental sustainability of healthy diets is another crucial dimension which should not be overlooked in the context of human health. The aim of the present study is to assess the association between healthiness and environmental sustainability of food items, using the FCS and Agribalyse databases, respectively. A total of 806 matching food items were identified, grouped in 12 food categories; within each category, differences in median Z-scores between FCS and Single Environmental Footprint (EF) Score were assessed. While Fruits, Legumes and Nuts, Mixed foods, Meat Poultry and Eggs (MPE), Savory and Sweets, and Vegetables showed statistically significant differences (all p < 0.001), Beverages (p = 0.361), Dairy (p = 0.092), Fats and Oils (p = 0.594), Grains (p = 0.436), Sauce and Condiments (p = 0.093), and Seafood (p = 0.241) had similar Food Compass and Single EF Z-scores distributions. These findings underscore a relevant lack of difference between healthfulness and environmental impact of some prominent food categories, such as Grains and Seafood. Therefore, we suggest matching nutrient profiling systems with adequate environmental sustainability indices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Muzzioli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, 00185, Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesco Frigerio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Alessandro Pinto
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, 00185, Rome, Italy
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2
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Folwarczny M, Sigurdsson V, Menon RGV, Otterbring T. Consumer susceptibility to front-of-package (FOP) food labeling: Scale development and validation. Appetite 2024; 192:107097. [PMID: 37918526 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.107097] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Current research in food science has explored the influence of front-of-package (FOP) labeling systems on consumer decision-making, yielding mixed results. We suggest that these inconsistent findings regarding FOP labeling effectiveness stem from a failure to consider a pivotal individual-level variable: consumer susceptibility to FOP labeling (CSFL). In the present research, we define this focal construct and develop and psychometrically validate a seven-item instrument that captures the construct across six studies (N = 1134). The current research may assist in segmenting consumers based on their susceptibility to FOP labeling, thereby facilitating the creation of targeted interventions tailored to this individual difference. Notably, the CSFL scale is positively correlated with consumers' willingness to purchase food items with genuine, third-party FOP labels, but not products lacking labels or products with fictitious FOP labels. This supports the predictive validity of the scale in determining important consumption-related outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Folwarczny
- Discipline of Marketing, J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics, University of Galway, Ireland.
| | | | - R G Vishnu Menon
- Department of Business Administration, Reykjavik University, Iceland; School of Communication, Journalism and Marketing, Massey University, New Zealand
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3
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Castagnoli JDL, Santos EFD, Novello D. How Interdisciplinary Interventions Can Improve the Educational Process of Children Regarding the Nutritional Labeling of Foods. Foods 2023; 12:4290. [PMID: 38231747 DOI: 10.3390/foods12234290] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
This research aimed to evaluate the effect of interdisciplinary educational interventions on children's attitudes, knowledge, preferences, and perceptions about different nutrition labels. Four hundred and ten elementary school children, aged between seven and ten years, participated in the research. The children completed questionnaires on attitudes, knowledge, and preferences about nutrition labeling and on perceived healthiness of a food product considering different types of nutrition labels (Pre-Intervention). They then participated in educational interventions as a strategy to address nutrition labeling of foods (Intervention). Finally, the Pre-Intervention questionnaires were reapplied (Post-Intervention). The intervention improved children's attitudes and knowledge about nutrition labeling. It also showed that this public has a greater preference for labels printed on the front of the food package. The label in the form of a warning was considered the most favorable for comparing the healthiness of the food product among children, while the table was the least preferred. It is concluded that interdisciplinary educational interventions are effective in improving children's attitudes, knowledge, preferences, and perceptions about different nutrition labels on a food product. The front label model is the most suitable for food packaging aimed at children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana de Lara Castagnoli
- Department of Nutrition, Health Sciences Sector, Postgraduate Program Interdisciplinary in Community Development, State University of Midwest, Guarapuava 85040-167, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Elisvânia Freitas Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Food and Nutrition, Postgraduate Program of Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food and Nutrition, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Daiana Novello
- Department of Nutrition, Health Sciences Sector, Postgraduate Program Interdisciplinary in Community Development, State University of Midwest, Guarapuava 85040-167, Paraná, Brazil
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Detopoulou P, Damigou E, Antonopoulou S, Fragopoulou E, Chysohoou C, Pitsavos C, Panagiotakos D. Food Compass Score and its association with inflammatory markers and homocysteine in cardiovascular disease-free adults: a cross-sectional analysis of the ATTICA epidemiological study. Eur J Clin Nutr 2023; 77:998-1004. [PMID: 37400562 DOI: 10.1038/s41430-023-01300-z] [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: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Several nutrient profiling systems have been developed to assist in food choices and policy. Food Compass Score (FCS) is a novel holistic food score assessing 54 parameters. The aim was to assess the relation of FCS with inflammatory and lipid markers in cardiovascular disease-free volunteers. SUBJECTS/METHODS Information from the ATTICA epidemiological study participants, with complete data on lipid, inflammatory markers and dietary intake were studied (n = 1018). C-reactive protein (CRP) and amyloid A were determined by immunonephelometry, fibrinogen by nephelometry, homocysteine by fluorometry, while tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), interleukin-6 (IL-6), adiponectin and leptin were determined by ELISA in fasting blood samples. Dietary intake was assessed through a semi-quantitative validated food frequency questionnaire. Each food was assigned a FCS value from the published values and then individual's FCS values were calculated. RESULTS Mean FCS was 56 (standard deviation: 5.7) and it was similar in men and women. FCS was inversely correlated with age (r = -0.06, p = 0.03). In multiple linear regression models, FCS was inversely associated with CRP (-0.03, 0.01), TNF-a (-0.04, 0.01), amyloid A (-0.10, 0.04) and homocysteine (-0.09, 0.04) (b coefficients, standard errors, all p < 0.05) and was not associated with IL-6, fibrinogen, adiponectin, leptin, or lipids levels (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The inverse correlations of the FCS with inflammatory markers suggest that a diet containing foods with high FCS might be protective against inflammation process. Our results support the usefulness of the FCS, but future studies should evaluate its relation to cardiovascular and other inflammation-related chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paraskevi Detopoulou
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelia Damigou
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece
| | - Smaragdi Antonopoulou
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece
| | - Elizabeth Fragopoulou
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Chysohoou
- First Cardiology Clinic, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Christos Pitsavos
- First Cardiology Clinic, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Demosthenes Panagiotakos
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece.
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Potărniche IA, Saroși C, Terebeș RM, Szolga L, Gălătuș R. Classification of Food Additives Using UV Spectroscopy and One-Dimensional Convolutional Neural Network. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:7517. [PMID: 37687972 PMCID: PMC10490620 DOI: 10.3390/s23177517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Food additives are utilized in countless food products available for sale. They enhance or obtain a specific flavor, extend the storage time, or obtain a desired texture. This paper presents an automatic classification system for five food additives based on their absorbance in the ultraviolet domain. Solutions with different concentrations were created by dissolving a measured additive mass into distilled water. The analyzed samples were either simple (one additive solution) or mixed (two additive solutions). The substances presented absorbance peaks between 190 nm and 360 nm. Each substance presents a certain number of absorbance peaks at specific wavelengths (e.g., acesulfame potassium presents an absorbance peak at 226 nm, whereas the peak associated with potassium sorbate is at 254 nm). Therefore, each additive has a distinctive spectrum that can be used for classification. The sample classification was performed using deep learning techniques. The samples were associated with numerical labels and divided into three datasets (training, validation, and testing). The best classification results were obtained using CNN (convolutional neural network) models. The classification of the 404 spectra with a CNN model with three convolutional layers obtained a mean testing accuracy of 92.38% ± 1.48%, whereas the mean validation accuracy was 93.43% ± 2.01%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana-Adriana Potărniche
- Basis of Electronics Department, Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunication and Information Technology, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (L.S.); (R.G.)
| | - Codruța Saroși
- Department of Polymer Composites, Institute of Chemistry “Raluca Ripan”, Babes-Bolyai University, 400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Romulus Mircea Terebeș
- Communications Department, Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunication and Information Technology, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Lorant Szolga
- Basis of Electronics Department, Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunication and Information Technology, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (L.S.); (R.G.)
| | - Ramona Gălătuș
- Basis of Electronics Department, Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunication and Information Technology, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (L.S.); (R.G.)
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Furman-Assaf S, Accos-Carmel M, Kolobov T, Blaychfeld-Magnazi M, Endevelt R, Tamir O. Attitudes and perceived knowledge of health professionals on the food labelling reform in Israel. Public Health Nutr 2023; 26:1513-1521. [PMID: 36919667 PMCID: PMC10346017 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980023000447] [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: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the attitudes and perceived knowledge of health professionals regarding the food product judgemental-labelling reform that began in January 2020 in Israel. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey. SETTINGS An online survey among health professionals working in the Israeli health system. PARTICIPANTS 456 participants (118 physicians, 207 nurses, 131 nutritionists). RESULTS Most respondents (89·9 %) were women, 36 % had over 20 years of professional experience. All nutritionists, 96·6 % of physicians and 94·7 % of nurses reported hearing about the reform, and most (88·9 % of nurses, 76·3 % of physicians and 75·6 % of nutritionists) claimed supporting the reform to a great or very great extent. Most respondents believe they should discuss issues related to healthy eating with their patients (91·8 % of nurses, 94·9 % of physicians and all nutritionists), but only about half (47·5 % of physicians and 57·0 % of nurses) reported that they have sufficient knowledge in this field, particularly about food labelling. Almost two-thirds of nutritionists (60·3 %) reported instructing patients to change their food intake according to labelling v. 40·1 % and 34·7 % of nurses and physicians, respectively. Only some respondents felt that they could influence their patients' nutrition habits. Most participants believe that additional regulatory measures should also be used to promote healthy nutrition. CONCLUSIONS There is a gap between the desire of physicians and nurses to provide nutritional guidance to the public and their actual knowledge about the labels' meaning as well as their competencies in providing nutrition counselling. When formulating a reform, policymakers should provide clear guidelines about the expectations of implementing it in therapeutic practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Furman-Assaf
- The Pesach Segal Israeli Center for Diabetes Research and Policy, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Moran Accos-Carmel
- The Pesach Segal Israeli Center for Diabetes Research and Policy, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Tatyana Kolobov
- The Pesach Segal Israeli Center for Diabetes Research and Policy, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Moran Blaychfeld-Magnazi
- Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
- Faculty of Social Welfare & Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ronit Endevelt
- Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
- Faculty of Social Welfare & Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Orly Tamir
- The Pesach Segal Israeli Center for Diabetes Research and Policy, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
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Lee JJ, Ahmed M, Ng A(P, Mulligan C, Flexner N, L’Abbé MR. Nutrient intakes and top food categories contributing to intakes of energy and nutrients-of-concern consumed by Canadian adults that would require a 'high-in' front-of-pack symbol according to Canadian labelling regulations. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285095. [PMID: 37200252 PMCID: PMC10194982 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Canada recently mandated front-of-pack (FOP) labelling regulations, where foods meeting and/or exceeding recommended thresholds for nutrients-of-concern (i.e., saturated fat, sodium, and sugars) must display a 'high-in' FOP nutrition symbol. However, there is limited research on the amounts and sources of foods consumed by Canadians that would require a FOP symbol. The objective was to examine the intakes of nutrients-of-concern from foods that would display a FOP symbol and to identify the top food categories contributing to intakes for each nutrient-of-concern. Using the first day 24-hour dietary recall from the nationally representative 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey-Nutrition (CCHS), Canadian adults' intakes of nutrients-of-concern from foods that would display a FOP symbol was examined. Foods were assigned to 1 of 62 categories to identify the top food categories contributing to intakes of energy and nutrient-of-concern that would display a FOP symbol for each nutrient-of-concern. Canadian adults (n = 13,495) consumed approximately 24% of total calories from foods that would display a FOP symbol. Foods that would display a FOP symbol for exceeding thresholds for nutrients-of-concern accounted for 16% of saturated fat, 30% of sodium, 25% of total sugar, and 39% of free sugar intakes among Canadian adults. The top food category contributing intakes of each nutrient-of-concern that would display a FOP symbol were nutrient-specific: Processed meat and meat substitutes for saturated fat; Breads for sodium; and Fruit juices & drinks for total and free sugars. Our findings show that Canadian FOP labelling regulations have the potential to influence the intakes of nutrients-of-concern for Canadian adults. Using the findings as baseline data, future studies are warranted to evaluate the impact of FOP labelling regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer J. Lee
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mavra Ahmed
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Joannah & Brian Lawson Centre for Child Nutrition, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alena (Praneet) Ng
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christine Mulligan
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nadia Flexner
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mary R. L’Abbé
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Besancon S, Beran D, Batal M. A study is 21 times more likely to find unfavourable results about the nutrition label Nutri-Score if the authors declare a conflict of interest or the study is funded by the food industry. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:bmjgh-2023-011720. [PMID: 37208123 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-011720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - David Beran
- Division of Tropical and Humanitarian Medicine, UNIGE, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Malek Batal
- Département de nutrition, Faculté de Médecine, UdeM, Montreal, Québec, Canada
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How Much Do Front-Of-Pack Labels Correlate with Food Environmental Impacts? Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15051176. [PMID: 36904175 PMCID: PMC10005439 DOI: 10.3390/nu15051176] [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: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Nutrient profiling and front-of-pack labeling (FOPL) have been developed to categorize food products as more or less healthy based on their nutrient content and to easily communicate this information to consumers. The goal is to change individual food choices toward a healthier diet. Since global climate change has recently become an urgent matter, this paper also aims to investigate the correlations between different food health scales, including some FOPLs currently adopted by one or more countries, and several sustainability indicators. For this purpose, a food sustainability composite index has been developed to summarize environmental indicators and compare food scales. Results indicate, as expected, that well-known healthy and sustainable diets are strongly correlated with both environmental indicators and the composite index, while FOPLs based on portions or on 100 g show moderate and weak correlation values, respectively. Within-category analysis has not found any associations that explain these results. Hence, 100 g standard, on which FOPLs are usually developed, seems not to be the ideal basis for developing a label that aspires to communicate healthiness and sustainability in a unique format, as required by the need for simple messaging. On the contrary, FOPLs based on portions appear to be more likely to achieve this goal.
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The importance of front-of-pack labels in improving health status and eating behavior. Eat Weight Disord 2023; 28:23. [PMID: 36813943 PMCID: PMC9947068 DOI: 10.1007/s40519-023-01540-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this Editorial is to give an overview on the multiple aspects of front-of-pack labels (FOPLs) and provide the readers a balanced view of the problems raised in this research field, placing them in a wider context. Furthermore, this editorial paper discusses whether and how the use of FOPLs can promote health status in relation to the individual eating pattern and which should be the next research scenarios to investigate to further improve and integrate these tools.
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Donini LM, Berry EM, Folkvord F, Jansen L, Leroy F, Şimşek Ö, Fava F, Gobbetti M, Lenzi A. Front-of-pack labels: "Directive" versus "informative" approaches. Nutrition 2023; 105:111861. [PMID: 36401998 DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2022.111861] [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: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Front-of-pack labels (FOPLs) aim at communicating to consumers the health value of food items in support of public health policies. Two main types can be discerned: directive and semidirective FOPLs using color schemes (e.g., Nutri-Score) and informative FOPLs (e.g., Nutrinform Battery). Directive approaches tend to show a "wear-out effect" and, additionally, they tend to have various underlying conceptual problems. Usually, their nutritional scores are calculated using changing, arbitrary algorithms and involve a reductionist set of parameters of debatable validity. Thus, they overstate the effects of selected nutritional factors, such as saturated fat and energy, while overlooking the food matrix and the more holistic aspects of nourishment. Moreover, they do not reflect the portion that is consumed, ignore the preparation steps at home, and fail to serve as a useful basis for composing a healthy diet. Also, so long as the nutritional formulations match the algorithmic standards, they tend to allow ultra-processed products. Thus, this might confuse and mislead consumers. Overconfidence in green-colored labels could even result in unbalanced dietary choices, whereas avoidance of red products may eliminate certain foods from the diet that are rich in essential nutrients (e.g., cheese), leading to opposite results than aimed for. The latter is particularly relevant to vulnerable populations, such as the young, pregnant women, and older adults, or for individuals with specific needs. Taken together, directive FOPLs such as Nutri-Score contradict the declared intent of the European Commission to empower consumers to undertake healthy and balanced diets based on easily accessible and robust information. Although informative systems usually also keep the focus on a few selected nutritional parameters, they have are less paternalizing and obviate the need to classify foods as healthy or unhealthy. They also focus attention on the individual portions that are consumed (even if the definition of portion size remains contentious). Given the importance of dietary patterns, rather than individual foods or nutrients, directiveFOPLs of the Nutri-Score type represent a regretful case of nutritionism. Finally, attempts to associate the adoption of a FOPL with an improvement in the health status are few and mainly applied in virtual settings; none of which are longitudinal, nor have they been able to identify a causal link.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elliot M Berry
- Braun School of Public Health, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Frans Folkvord
- Tilburg University, Tilburg, Netherlands; PredictBy, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Léon Jansen
- Schuttelaar & Partners, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | | | - Ömer Şimşek
- Yildiz Technical University, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Fabio Fava
- Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Italian Committee for Biosafety, Biotechnology and Life Sciences (CNBBSV), Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Gobbetti
- Italian Committee for Biosafety, Biotechnology and Life Sciences (CNBBSV), Rome, Italy; University of Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Andrea Lenzi
- Sapienza University, Rome, Italy; Italian Committee for Biosafety, Biotechnology and Life Sciences (CNBBSV), Rome, Italy
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Penzavecchia C, Todisco P, Muzzioli L, Poli A, Marangoni F, Poggiogalle E, Giusti AM, Lenzi A, Pinto A, Donini LM. The influence of front-of-pack nutritional labels on eating and purchasing behaviors: a narrative review of the literature. Eat Weight Disord 2022; 27:3037-3051. [PMID: 36369593 PMCID: PMC9803757 DOI: 10.1007/s40519-022-01507-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Front-of-Pack Nutritional Labels are considered a useful tool to help consumers orient themselves in their food choices and direct their behavior toward a healthier diet. FOPNL development and use are part of a framework that includes cognitive, biological, hedonic and cultural aspects, able to affect consumers' eating and purchasing behavior. AIM Given the complexity of the matter, the aim of this narrative review is to analyze the combination of different factors that drive food choices and eating behaviors and to highlight some aspects that are not fully studied. METHODS The authors conducted the research using a top-down approach at first, followed by a bottom-up approach; starting with general considerations about the purchasing process, gradually narrowing the discussion to a specific sub-population, and finally extending the discussion back to more general reasonings about the direction to adopt in future, or at least to evaluate, for effective communication. RESULTS Biases and attitudes toward food products were found to regularly interfere with buying behavior patterns, making it impossible to standardize an average consumer. This reflects in current research, increasing the complexity of the topic. All determinants influencing food choices are often assessed individually rather than in a synergistic and multidimensional context, while the purchasing scenario is characterized by multiple stimuli to which the consumer is subjected. FOPNLs' impact on perceived healthiness has been studied in different conditions, but some population subgroups have not been sufficiently represented. In particular, the effect of FOPNLs on consumers suffering from eating disorders is understudied and needs further attention. Furthermore, some approaches can be compared to "negative nutrition" or "loss-framed communication", putting nutrients out of context, emphasizing losses more than gains and risking promoting negative feelings in consumers. CONCLUSION Due to the heterogeneity of studies, evidence on what works best in driving people to adopt lasting lifestyle changes is still mixed. Science communicators and policymakers should consider the possibility that a multi-component approach incorporating nutrition information and education may be a key strategy to promote consumers' self-consciousness and to support them in their cognitive efforts toward a healthy and sustainable diet. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level V, narrative review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Penzavecchia
- Medical Pathophysiology, Food Science and Endocrinology Section, Food Science and Human Nutrition Research Unit, Experimental Medicine Department, Sapienza University, Ple. Aldo Moro, 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Todisco
- Eating Disorders Unit, Casa di Cura "Villa Margherita", Arcugnano, Vicenza, Italy
| | - Luca Muzzioli
- Medical Pathophysiology, Food Science and Endocrinology Section, Food Science and Human Nutrition Research Unit, Experimental Medicine Department, Sapienza University, Ple. Aldo Moro, 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Poli
- NFI-Nutrition Foundation of Italy, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Eleonora Poggiogalle
- Medical Pathophysiology, Food Science and Endocrinology Section, Food Science and Human Nutrition Research Unit, Experimental Medicine Department, Sapienza University, Ple. Aldo Moro, 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Giusti
- Medical Pathophysiology, Food Science and Endocrinology Section, Food Science and Human Nutrition Research Unit, Experimental Medicine Department, Sapienza University, Ple. Aldo Moro, 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Lenzi
- Medical Pathophysiology, Food Science and Endocrinology Section, Food Science and Human Nutrition Research Unit, Experimental Medicine Department, Sapienza University, Ple. Aldo Moro, 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pinto
- Medical Pathophysiology, Food Science and Endocrinology Section, Food Science and Human Nutrition Research Unit, Experimental Medicine Department, Sapienza University, Ple. Aldo Moro, 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Maria Donini
- Medical Pathophysiology, Food Science and Endocrinology Section, Food Science and Human Nutrition Research Unit, Experimental Medicine Department, Sapienza University, Ple. Aldo Moro, 5, 00185, Rome, Italy.
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Detopoulou P, Panoutsopoulos GI, Kalonarchi G, Papamikos V. Is food compass score useful for menu planning in the hospital setting? Nutr Health 2022:2601060221138369. [PMID: 36352736 DOI: 10.1177/02601060221138369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Background: The novel food compass score (FCS) may ease food choices and policy actions. Aim: To assess the correlations of FCS with key nutrients in hospital meals. Methods: A 14-day hospital menu was recorded and analyzed with the USDA database and published FCS values. Results: The menu FCS was 40.6 ± 3.7 (mean ± standard deviation). Fish, vegetable, chicken, and egg-based meals had the highest FCS, while pork/beef meals had the lowest FCS. The FCS was positively related to vitamins (vitamin C, thiamine, B6, folate, pantothenic acid, vitamin E, vitamin D, vitamin A, carotenoids), choline and minerals (calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, copper, and manganese) and negatively associated with zinc, niacin, and animal protein. Moreover, the FCS was positively related to portions of cheese, fish, vegetables, and eggs and negatively to portions of poultry, refined grains, and margarine. Conclusion: The FCS may help in designing healthier nutrient-dense hospital menus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paraskevi Detopoulou
- Department of Nutrition, 168201General Hospital Korgialenio-Benakio (Red Cross Hospital), Athens, Greece
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, 69211University of Peloponnese, Kalamata, Greece
| | | | - Garifallia Kalonarchi
- Department of Nutrition, 168201General Hospital Korgialenio-Benakio (Red Cross Hospital), Athens, Greece
| | - Vassilios Papamikos
- Department of Nutrition, 168201General Hospital Korgialenio-Benakio (Red Cross Hospital), Athens, Greece
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14
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Martini D, Marangoni F, Banterle A, Donini LM, Riccardi G, Poli A, Pellegrini N. Relationship between front-of-pack labeling and nutritional characteristics of food products: An attempt of an analytical approach. Front Nutr 2022; 9:963592. [PMID: 36061903 PMCID: PMC9437431 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.963592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The adoption of supplementary nutrition information, i.e., front-of-pack labeling (FOPL), on pre-packed food products is advocated as a tool to improve the consumers' knowledge of the nutrient content or the nutritional quality of foods, but also to drive products reformulation by the food industry. Ultimately, FOPL should help people to select foods in order to compose an overall balanced diet, which is essential for health. However, the extent to which the different FOPL systems proposed in the European Union (EU) (interpretative or informative) are effectively able to convey the information useful to improve both food choices and dietary habits of the consumers is still under debate and needs to be analyzed in detail. The use of 3 FOPL schemes proposed within the EU (Nutri-Score, Keyhole and NutrInform Battery) to compare products available on the Italian market within different food categories, highlights some critical issues: (1) different FOPL provide to consumers different kinds of information; (2) systems based on similar theoretical approaches can provide conflicting information; (3) the algorithms on which interpretative FOPL are based can give the same summary information for products differing in nutrient composition, impact on the overall dietary balance and therefore on the health of people with different characteristics, physiological/pathological conditions, and nutritional requirements; (4) on the other hand, products with similar nutrient composition can obtain different interpretative FOPL; (5) informative systems are generally more complex and require greater both attention and knowledge from the consumer; (6) FOPL based on 100 g of product overlook the role of portion (and frequency of consumption) in determining the nutrient intake without informing on the contribution of a single food to the overall diet; (7) FOPL based on scoring systems could promote the reformulation of selected products, especially with a composition very close to the threshold limits; (8) for the portion-based informative FOPL systems, the incentive for reformulation could essentially involve the reduction of portion size. Finally, the importance of nutritional education interventions, which are required to encourage the use by consumers of informative FOPL systems, cannot be neglected to improve the quality of diets regardless of the FOPL used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Martini
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Alessandro Banterle
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Gabriele Riccardi
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Nicoletta Pellegrini
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
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15
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Mazzù MF, Baccelloni A, Finistauri P. Uncovering the Effect of European Policy-Making Initiatives in Addressing Nutrition-Related Issues: A Systematic Literature Review and Bibliometric Analysis on Front-of-Pack Labels. Nutrients 2022; 14:3423. [PMID: 36014929 PMCID: PMC9414449 DOI: 10.3390/nu14163423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The last decades have been marked by the introduction of front-of-pack labels (FoPL) as an institutional corrective action against obesity and nutrition-related illnesses. However, FoPL-related policy-making initiatives issued by the European Union evolved over time and led to a diversity of labels with different effects on consumers' decisions. As a result, the extant literature adapted to the regulative scenario over the years and investigated the effects of the labels, creating consensus on some topics while being fragmented on others. Similarly, policy-makers adapted some regulations to the evidence supported by the research. With the aim to systematize the overall structure and evolution of the literature on FoPL, investigate the presence of a consensus on specific topics through a co-citation analysis, and examine the evolution of the consensus and co-citation networks over the years and potential research gaps, we report the results of bibliometric and co-citation analyses and a systematic literature review involving 170 papers and a selection of 49 articles published in the last months, for a total of 219 articles, analysed according to three timespans (Period 1 (1989-2011); Period 2 (2012-2016) and Period 3 (2017-2022)). Our findings highlight the interplay of policy development and FoPL research, the presence of few self-reinforcing and well-established co-citation networks based on validated evidence in the literature and the presence of alternative emerging theories that offer different and valid perspectives overlooked by mainstream co-citation research networks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Angelo Baccelloni
- Department of Communication and Social Research, Sapienza University, Via Salaria 113, 00198 Rome, Italy
| | - Piera Finistauri
- Department of Business and Management, Luiss University, Viale Romania 32, 00197 Rome, Italy
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16
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Detopoulou P, Syka D, Koumi K, Dedes V, Tzirogiannis K, Panoutsopoulos GI. Clinical Application of the Food Compass Score: Positive Association to Mediterranean Diet Score, Health Star Rating System and an Early Eating Pattern in University Students. Diseases 2022; 10:43. [PMID: 35892737 PMCID: PMC9326537 DOI: 10.3390/diseases10030043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Nutrient profiling systems (NPS) assist consumers in food choices. Several scores based on NPS have been proposed, but data on their clinical application are lacking. The food compass score (FCS) is a newly developed NPS per 100 kcal (from 1 “least healthy” to 100 “most healthy”). We examined the correlations of FCS with other indices, food groups, and meal patterns. A total of 346 students of the University of the Peloponnese (269 women and 77 men) participated. Dietary habits were evaluated with a food frequency questionnaire, and FCS, health star rating score (HSR), and MedDietScore were computed. Meal and snack frequency consumption was reported. Principal component analysis revealed three meal patterns: “early eater” (breakfast, morning snack and afternoon snack), “medium eater” (lunch and dinner), and “late eater” (bedtime snack). Pearson partial correlations between ranked variables were used to test the correlation coefficients between FCS, other scores, and meal patterns, after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, and underreporting. FCS was positively correlated to HSR (rho = 0.761, p ≤ 0.001) in a multi-adjusted analysis. In the highest tertile of MedDietScore FCS was also positively correlated to MedDietScore (rho = 0.379, p < 0.001). The FCS was positively correlated with juices, high-fat dairy, vegetables, legumes, fruits, and olive oil and negatively correlated with sodas, alcoholic drinks, red meat, refined grains, sweets, fats other than olive oil, fast foods, and coffee. In addition, it related positively to the “early eater” pattern (rho = 0.207, p < 0.001). The FCS was associated with other quality indices and better nutritional habits, such as being an early eater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paraskevi Detopoulou
- Department of Nutritional Science and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Peloponnese, New Building, Antikalamos, 24100 Kalamata, Greece; (P.D.); (D.S.); (V.D.)
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, General Hospital Korgialenio Benakio, Athanassaki 2, 11526 Athens, Greece;
| | - Dimitra Syka
- Department of Nutritional Science and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Peloponnese, New Building, Antikalamos, 24100 Kalamata, Greece; (P.D.); (D.S.); (V.D.)
| | - Konstantina Koumi
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, General Hospital Korgialenio Benakio, Athanassaki 2, 11526 Athens, Greece;
| | - Vasileios Dedes
- Department of Nutritional Science and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Peloponnese, New Building, Antikalamos, 24100 Kalamata, Greece; (P.D.); (D.S.); (V.D.)
| | | | - Georgios I. Panoutsopoulos
- Department of Nutritional Science and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Peloponnese, New Building, Antikalamos, 24100 Kalamata, Greece; (P.D.); (D.S.); (V.D.)
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17
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Donini LM, Penzavecchia C, Muzzioli L, Poggiogalle E, Giusti AM, Lenzi A, Pinto A. Efficacy of front-of-pack nutrition labels in improving health status. Nutrition 2022; 102:111770. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2022.111770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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18
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Aguenaou H, Babio N, Deschasaux-Tanguy M, Galan P, Hercberg S, Julia C, Jones A, Karpetas G, Kelly B, Kesse-Guyot E, Kontopoulou L, Labonté ME, Ni Mhurchu C, Pravst I, Pettigrew S, Riboli E, Salas-Salvadó J, Srour B, Touvier M, Vandevijvere S. Comment on Muzzioli et al. Are Front-of-Pack Labels a Health Policy Tool? Nutrients 2022, 14, 771. Nutrients 2022; 14:2165. [PMID: 35631306 PMCID: PMC9145939 DOI: 10.3390/nu14102165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
As scientists working and publishing in the field of front-of-pack nutrition labelling (FOPNL) for many years, we have read with interest and concern the narrative review regarding their effectiveness by Muzzioli et al. [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Aguenaou
- Joint Research Unit in Nutrition and Food, RDC-Nutrition AFRA/IAEA, Ibn Tofail University-CNESTEN, Rabat, Kenitra 14000, Morocco;
| | - Nancy Babio
- Departament de Bioquimica i Biotecnologia, Unitat de Nutrició Humana. (IISPV), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43201 Reus, Spain; (N.B.); (J.S.-S.)
- Consorcio CIBER, M.P. Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28014 Madrid, Spain
| | - Mélanie Deschasaux-Tanguy
- Sorbonne Paris Nord University, Inserm U1153, Inrae U1125, Cnam, Nutritional Epidemiology Research Team (EREN), Epidemiology and Statistics Research Center—University of Paris (CRESS), 93017 Bobigny, France; (M.D.-T.); (P.G.); (S.H.); (E.K.-G.); (B.S.); (M.T.)
| | - Pilar Galan
- Sorbonne Paris Nord University, Inserm U1153, Inrae U1125, Cnam, Nutritional Epidemiology Research Team (EREN), Epidemiology and Statistics Research Center—University of Paris (CRESS), 93017 Bobigny, France; (M.D.-T.); (P.G.); (S.H.); (E.K.-G.); (B.S.); (M.T.)
| | - Serge Hercberg
- Sorbonne Paris Nord University, Inserm U1153, Inrae U1125, Cnam, Nutritional Epidemiology Research Team (EREN), Epidemiology and Statistics Research Center—University of Paris (CRESS), 93017 Bobigny, France; (M.D.-T.); (P.G.); (S.H.); (E.K.-G.); (B.S.); (M.T.)
- Public Health Department, Avicenne Hospital, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), 93000 Bobigny, France
| | - Chantal Julia
- Sorbonne Paris Nord University, Inserm U1153, Inrae U1125, Cnam, Nutritional Epidemiology Research Team (EREN), Epidemiology and Statistics Research Center—University of Paris (CRESS), 93017 Bobigny, France; (M.D.-T.); (P.G.); (S.H.); (E.K.-G.); (B.S.); (M.T.)
- Public Health Department, Avicenne Hospital, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), 93000 Bobigny, France
| | - Alexandra Jones
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; (A.J.); (S.P.)
| | - Georgios Karpetas
- Laboratory Teaching Staff, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece;
| | - Bridget Kelly
- Early Start, School of Health & Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia;
| | - Emmanuelle Kesse-Guyot
- Sorbonne Paris Nord University, Inserm U1153, Inrae U1125, Cnam, Nutritional Epidemiology Research Team (EREN), Epidemiology and Statistics Research Center—University of Paris (CRESS), 93017 Bobigny, France; (M.D.-T.); (P.G.); (S.H.); (E.K.-G.); (B.S.); (M.T.)
| | - Lamprini Kontopoulou
- Laboratory Teaching Staff, Nursing Department, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece;
| | - Marie-Eve Labonté
- Centre Nutrition, Santé et Société (NUTRISS), Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF), Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada;
- School of Nutrition, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Cliona Ni Mhurchu
- National Institute for Health Innovation, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand;
| | - Igor Pravst
- Nutrition and Public Health Research Group, Nutrition Institute, Trzaska Cesta 40, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Simone Pettigrew
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; (A.J.); (S.P.)
| | - Elio Riboli
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK;
| | - Jordi Salas-Salvadó
- Departament de Bioquimica i Biotecnologia, Unitat de Nutrició Humana. (IISPV), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43201 Reus, Spain; (N.B.); (J.S.-S.)
- Consorcio CIBER, M.P. Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28014 Madrid, Spain
| | - Bernard Srour
- Sorbonne Paris Nord University, Inserm U1153, Inrae U1125, Cnam, Nutritional Epidemiology Research Team (EREN), Epidemiology and Statistics Research Center—University of Paris (CRESS), 93017 Bobigny, France; (M.D.-T.); (P.G.); (S.H.); (E.K.-G.); (B.S.); (M.T.)
| | - Mathilde Touvier
- Sorbonne Paris Nord University, Inserm U1153, Inrae U1125, Cnam, Nutritional Epidemiology Research Team (EREN), Epidemiology and Statistics Research Center—University of Paris (CRESS), 93017 Bobigny, France; (M.D.-T.); (P.G.); (S.H.); (E.K.-G.); (B.S.); (M.T.)
| | - Stefanie Vandevijvere
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Service of Lifestyle and Chronic Diseases, 1050 Brussels, Belgium;
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19
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Muzzioli L, Penzavecchia C, Donini LM, Pinto A. Reply to Aguenaou et al. Comment on "Muzzioli et al. Are Front-of-Pack Labels a Health Policy Tool? Nutrients 2022, 14, 771". Nutrients 2022; 14:2167. [PMID: 35631307 PMCID: PMC9144231 DOI: 10.3390/nu14102167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
As a team of scientists who believe that exchanging views is one of the prerequisites of the scientific method, we welcome the comments from Aguenaou H et al. [...].
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Alessandro Pinto
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.M.); (C.P.); (L.M.D.)
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20
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Septia Irawan A, Shahin B, Wangeshi Njuguna D, Nellamkuzhi NJ, Thiện BQ, Mahrouseh N, Varga O. Analysis of Content, Social Networks, and Sentiment of Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labeling in the European Union on Twitter. Front Nutr 2022; 9:846730. [PMID: 35548577 PMCID: PMC9083270 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.846730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, concerted political efforts have been made at the national and European Union (EU) level to promote the consumption of healthy foods. The European Commission (EC) expressed the need for a harmonized and mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labeling (FOPL) system at the EU level. The EC will adopt the proposal by the end of 2022. Our research work aims to understand the public discourse on FOPL in the EU via Twitter, by analyzing tweet content, sentiment, and mapping network characteristics. Tweet search and data collection were performed using the Twitter application programming interface (API), with no time or language restrictions. The content was coded with the QRS Nvivo software package and analyzed thematically. Automatic sentiment analysis was performed with QSR Nvivo, and network analysis was performed with Gephi 0.9.2. A total of 4,073 tweets were posted, mostly from the UK, Spain, and France. Themes that have emerged from the discussion on Twitter include the types of food labeling, food industry, healthy vs. unhealthy foods in the context of food labeling, EU regulation, political conflicts, and science and education. Nutri-Score dominated the discussion on Twitter. General topics were perceived negatively by Twitter users with more positive sentiments toward the food industry, while negative sentiments were observed toward the discourse of political conflicts. The network analysis showed that a centralized communication was hardly existed between countries. Our results reveal that the discussion of FOPL on Twitter is limited to a very limited group of people, and it seems necessary to inform a wide range of consumers about existing and upcoming FOPL schemes. Educational programs should empower consumers to understand what a healthy diet is and how it relates to FOPL, regardless of the existing labeling system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anggi Septia Irawan
- Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Health Sciences, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Balqees Shahin
- Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Health Sciences, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Diana Wangeshi Njuguna
- Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Health Sciences, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | | | - Bùi Quốc Thiện
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Nour Mahrouseh
- Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Health Sciences, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Orsolya Varga
- Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Budapest, Hungary
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