Objective: Considering the negative impact of the consumption of ultra-processed foods on health, this study assessed the availability and nutritional profile of commercial ultra-processed foods for infants in Natal, Brazil. Design: A cross-sectional exploratory study. Setting: Foods targeted at children under the age of 36 months sold in retail establishments located in high and low-income areas of the one capital city of Brazil. Participants: 1,645 food products consisting of 95 different types of food were available. The foods were assessed according to the NOVA classification: minimally processed, processed, and ultra-processed. The nutritional content per 100g was assessed according to processing classification. Results: Half of foods founded were breast milk substitutes and cereal foods (31.6% and 26.3%, respectively). The foods were predominantly ultra-processed (79%) and only 4.2% were minimally processed, with similar proportions of ultra-processed foods being found in both high and low-income areas. After excluding breast milk substitutes and follow-up formulas, all cereals, food supplements and some of the fruit or vegetable purees were ultra-processed, higher in energy density, fat, carbohydrate and protein, and low in fiber (P<0.05). Conclusions: The findings reveal that ultra-processed foods for infants are widely available in Brazil, reaffirming the need to strengthen the regulation of foods for infants and young children by introducing complementary measures designed to promote the production and marketing of foods manufactured using lower levels of processing.
In the context of the global childhood obesity, it is essential to monitor the nutrition value of commercial foods. A cross-sectional study (November 2018 to April 2019), aimed to evaluate the nutritional adequacy of processed/ultra-processed food products targeted at 0-36-month-old children in Portugal and in Brazil. The Nutrient profiling model developed by the Pan American Health Organization was used. A total of food 171 products were assessed (123 in Portugal and 48 in Brazil). From the 15 available meat-or fish- based meals in Brazil, 60% exceeded the amount of sodium and 100% exceeded the target for total fat. Given the lack of specification of sugars within carbohydrates in the label of the foods in Brazil, it was not possible to calculate free sugars. In Portugal, from the 17 fruit and vegetable purees and the 6 juice/smoothie/tea/drinks available, 82% and 67%, respectively, surpassed the level of free sugar, while total and saturated fat was excessive in all yogurt and yogurt- related products (n=21), 40% of biscuit/wafer/crisps (2 out of 5) and 13% meat or fish- based meals (2 out of 16). These findings demonstrate the relevance of improving the nutritional profile of some food products targeted to young children.
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