Obesity is considered a global pandemic. Different countries have worked to implement front-of-package (FOP) labeling systems that define thresholds for critical nutrients (CN) as part of their public health policies. The objective of this study is to identify the proportion of Processed (PF) and Ultra-Processed (UPF) Foods marketed in Honduras, which meet or fall short of the criteria of three Nutrient Profile Models (NPM): PAHO (2016), Chile (2017) and the Central American Technical Regulation Proposal-Nutritional Warning Front Labeling (CATRP-NWFL 2017). This study is descriptive; 1009 products from 206 brands were collected nationwide. Descriptive statistics were performed. The mean CN compliance with the three models was 49.3% for sodium, 30.6% for sugars, 63.1% and 96% for saturated and trans fats. The PAHO and Chilean (NPM) similarly concentrated on the lower compliance with the established criteria, unlike the CATRP, which has less stringent criteria. This is the first assessment of CN content in PF and UPF in Honduras under three different NPMs. We highlight the importance of defining or adopting criteria for the implementation of NWFL as information for the consumer and thereby contribute to reducing the risks of obesity and related diseases.

Introducción: Los alimentos ultraprocesados tienen formulaciones industriales altas en azúcar, grasas saturadas, sodio, estabilizadores y preservantes con mercadeo agresivo. El objetivo del estudio fue identificar los alimentos con contenido excesivo de nutrientes según el modelo de perfil de nutrientes de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS 2016). Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo realizado de julio a noviembre 2016 en el laboratorio de nutrición (Universidad Zamorano, Honduras). Una muestra exhaustiva fue elaborada de los diferentes alimentos ultraprocesados ofertados en los principales centros de venta de representatividad nacional. Se agruparon 520 alimentos en once categorías, según el modelo de perfil de nutrientes OPS 2016. Las etiquetas nutricionales fueron fotografiadas, revisadas y una base de datos fue creada en Excel© (Microsoft, 2010) con 28 variables (categoría, tipo, nombre, empresa, país de origen, tamaño de porción, aporte calórico, nutrientes reportados). Resultados: Los productos procedieron de 21 países y 138 empresas. El 75% de los productos totales examinados por porción presentaron exceso de azúcares, 37%  sodio,  33% grasas totales y 30% contenían edulcorantes (diferentes al azúcar). El 96% de las bebidas azucaradas, chocolates, caramelos y lácteos con azúcar presentaron exceso de azúcares. El 92%, 88% y 95% de los quesos con sal añadida, embutidos y snacks contenían exceso de sodio respectivamente. El 82% de las galletas contenían exceso de azúcares y 71% de grasas. El 91% de los cereales con azúcares añadidos presentaron exceso de azúcares y 64% de sodio. Conclusiones: Regular y/o disminuir la publicidad de los alimentos ultraprocesados; implementar obligatoriamente el contenido de azúcares añadidos y adoptar el etiquetado frontal.

Background: The premature consumption of processed foods with high sugar and sodium content over the course of life has been associated with an increased risk of suffering from chronic diseases starting in adolescence or early adulthood. Methods: There was an examination of the nutritional labelling of processed products for young children (n = 140) available in the Honduran market to evaluate their nutritional quality with regard to sodium and sugar content, pursuant to various international recommendations. Results: 54% of the products evaluated derive more than 20% of their calories from sugar. The categories that to a large degree exceed the recommended sugar content range are fruit drinks (80%) and dessert purees (65%). The average price per product serving is lower than one US dollar ($0.81). 46% and 6% of the products place sugar and salt, respectively, among the first five positions in their ingredient lists. Conclusions: Processed foods for infants and young children generally exceed the recommended sugar content, but due to their low cost and easy access, they are displacing traditional food consumption, contributing to increasing childhood obesity and chronic disease in the early stages of life.

Background: Functional foods have been proposed as vehicles to prevent diseases in response to disease increase throughout the world. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study. The nutritional labeling of processed functional foods (PFF) commercially available in Honduras was examined to consider health benefits based on functionality according to the Central American Technical Regulation (CATR) and critical nutrient content according to the profile of the Panamerican Health Organization (PAHO). Results: Out of a national sample of 631 commercial processed foods (CPF), 144 were defined as functional; sweetened and flavored yogurts and cereal bars reached the highest proportions (70% and 66%) of products available in their respective categories. None of the categories was on average "low in calories" according to criteria of CATR; sweetened breakfast cereals were the most caloric (180 kcal) and only sweetened juices had "calorie free" products (15%). Prepared meat did not meet the criterion of "low cholesterol" even though all the products in this category were the reduced fat version of the original CPF. All categories of cereal-based products met the "source of dietary fiber" criteria and 64% of baked products were "high in dietary fiber". More than 70% of PFF exceeded the sugar recommendation of the PAHO profile, mainly sweetened breakfast cereals (100%) and sweetened juices (93%). 49% of the products exceeded the sodium recommendation, particularly baked products (100%) and cheeses (86%); 100% of the later exceeded the recommendation of total fats. More than 60% of products simultaneously exceeded between 2 and 3 of PAHO profile criteria; 5% exceeded all the criteria and 4% met all the PAHO profile criteria.

Sweeteners are found in all types of foods, and their high consumption is associated with chronic degenerative diseases, such as diabetes and obesity, among others. A characterization was carried out of food products with sweeteners from the three biggest supermarkets at a national level; they were identified by the list of ingredients and classified according to caloric or non-caloric intake, and pursuant to their country of origin. A statistical interpretation of results was made using descriptive measures such as the number of times the sweeteners were found in the formulation of the products and how many of them were found in a product at the same time. In total, 341 products were evaluated and classified according to the processed food categories of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) nutrient profile. The category of beverages had the highest quantity of products with sweeteners, and their consumption by the inhabitants represents a high exposure. Overall, 60.1% of the products evaluated were of US origin; these US exports have a significant impact on the Honduran market. A high-fructose corn syrup caloric sweetener was the one most frequently found in these products; at least 51% are combined with additional sweeteners to increase the sweetening effect.

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