Nutrition claims are positive information about foods, which are widely used as a marketing strategy on labels. On the contrary, front-of-package nutritional labeling (FoPNL) aims to make it easier for consumers to understand the nutritional composition of foods and favor healthy food choices. However, the concomitant presence of nutrition claims and FoPNL may hinder the understanding, judgment, and choices of consumers at the moment of purchase. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of nutrition claims on the efficacy of FoPNL models in the understanding of nutritional information, healthfulness perception, and purchase intention of Brazilian consumers. It was an experimental cross-sectional study carried out using an online questionnaire, with a total of 720 participants randomly divided into four FoPNL conditions: control, octagon, triangle, and magnifying glass. Each participant looked at 12 food packages, which were produced following the factorial design: (i) food category (cereal bar, whole grain cookies, and snacks); (ii) product type (containing one critical nutrient × containing two critical nutrients); and (iii) nutrition claims (present × absent). The comprehension of nutritional information was evaluated through the identification of excessive nutrients, and the healthfulness perception and purchase intention were evaluated using a seven-point scale. The results indicated that the presence of FoPNL increased the understanding of the information and reduced healthfulness perception and purchase intention. The presence of nutrition claims influenced the three outcomes, decreasing the probability of understanding information about food composition by 32% (OR 0.68, 95% confidence interval 0.58–0.78, p < 0.01) and significantly increasing (p < 0.05) average health scores (1.95–2.02) and purchase intention (2.00–2.05). Nonetheless, the interaction “FoPNL × claims” was not significant, which indicated that claims act independently. All FoPNL models were more effective than the control. For the least healthful type of product (two nutrients in excess), the octagon and triangle models were superior to the magnifying glass, regarding the outcome of healthfulness perception. The results prove the efficacy of FoPNL in consumer understanding and judgment. Despite the positive effects of FoPNL, it did not cancel the positivity bias generated by the claims.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the labeling and classification of breads, biscuits and toasts declared as wholegrain and to compare them. The cross-sectional and descriptive study was carried in Uberaba, in 2016. Products sold in five supermarkets were classified as processed or ultra-processed according to the NOVA system, which considers the industrial processing employed. The Pan American Health Organization Nutritional Profile Model was used to classify products with excessive amounts of critical nutrients. The products were evaluated for the carbohydrate:fiber ratio recommended by the American Heart Association. A total of 147 products were analyzed: 99 biscuits, 36 breads and 12 toasts. The average number of ingredients in the formulations was 17.3±5.4, so that 100% of the products were classified as ultra-processed. The majority, 64.6%, did not present wholegrain flour as the first ingredient. The declaration of supplementary nutritional information on dietary fiber was present in 49% of the products and 100% complied with the mandatory requirements. Despite that, 53.7% presented excessive levels of sodium and 22.4% and 56.5% had excessive levels of total and saturated fat, respectively. For the criterion of carbohydrate:fiber ratio, 38.7% had a ratio of ≥10:1, mainly biscuits, which is undesirable. All biscuits, breads and toasts sold as "wholegrain" were ultra-processed, with excessive sodium content (breads and toast in general) and fats (most biscuits). Wholegrain flours only accounted for 35.4% of the products and half of the toasts, and most of the biscuits (66.7%) could not be considered a source of fiber.
Introduction 2 Methods 2.1 Search and Organization of Data 2.2 Species Cited by Other Authors 3 Results and Discussion 4 Conclusion References
Nutrient profiling is the science of classifying or ranking foods according to their nutritional composition, for reasons related to disease prevention and health promotion. To be effective, policies such as front-of-pack nutrition labeling (FoPNL) must have an adequate nutritional profile model, since it will determine which products will be eligible to receive a FoPNL. This study aimed to determine the percentage of packaged food and drink products available in Brazil that would be subject to FoPNL under two different legislations: Brazilian and Mexican. This is a cross-sectional study in which we collected information on food products (photos of the ingredients list, the front label, the barcode, and the nutrition facts table) from one of the largest stores of a supermarket chain in the city of Belo Horizonte-MG, Brazil, from March to May 2021 (~6 months after the publication of the Brazilian legislation about FoPNL and a year and a half before the legislation came into force). The products were classified in relation to the BNPM (added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium) and the MNPM (energy, free sugars, saturated fats, trans fats, sodium, non-sugar sweeteners, and caffeine). A total of 3384 products were collected and, after applying the exclusion criteria, 3,335 products were evaluated. Of these, 2,901 would be eligible to receive FoPNL in Brazil and 2,914 would be eligible to receive FoPNL in Mexico. According to the BNPM, 56.7% (95% CI 54.9; 58.5%) of the products were “high in” critical nutrients, 27.1% (95% CI 25.5; 28.7%) of the products in added sugars, 26.7% (95% CI 25.2; 28.4%) of the products in saturated fats, and 21.4% (95% CI 19.9; 22.9%) of the products in sodium. As for the MNPM, 96.8% (95% CI 96.1; 97.4%) of them were “high in” up to five critical nutrients and up to two warning rectangles (caffeine and non-sugar sweeteners), 45.8% (95% CI 44.0; 47.6%) of them in free sugars, 43.7% (95% CI 41.9; 45.5%) of them in saturated fats, and 47.9% (95% CI 46.1; 49.7%) of them in sodium. We concluded that the eligibility to receive FoPNL by BNPM and MNPM was relatively similar between products; however, almost all products would have at least one FoPNL and/or warning rectangles according to Mexican legislation, and nearly half of them would have at least one FoPNL, considering BNPM. The MNPM is much more restrictive than the BNPM. The Nutrient Profile Model (NPM) that regulates FoPNL, and other health policies, must be carefully defined to ensure that foods are properly classified according to their healthiness.
Purpose This study aims to evaluate the carbohydrate content, ingredient profile and degree of processing of supposedly “low-carb” foods in the Brazilian market. Design/methodology/approach Information was collected from physical supermarkets in Divinópolis, Minas Gerais and on websites throughout Brazil between July and September/2020. The carbohydrate content was assessed in g/100 g, and ingredient lists were investigated for the presence of carbohydrate-rich ingredients. The degree of processing of the products was evaluated by NOVA classification to determine whether the term “low carb” had been translated into Portuguese. Findings This study evaluated a total number of 164 products, the most frequent were bakery products (34.7%), granola and cereal bars (19.5%) and candies and desserts (14.0%). This claim was also found in low-carb foods such as cheese and chicken. Most food products evaluated (56.0%) were classified as ultra-processed, with the group having the highest carbohydrate content (20.0; 3.0–47.5g/100g), compared to products classified as processed foods (p < 0.01). The ingredient lists showed items rich in carbohydrates, such as cassava and corn derivatives. In 162 products, a low-carb claim was displayed without translation into Portuguese. These data demonstrate that most of these products are ultra-processed and have a high glycidic content. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the study was a pioneer investigation of the ingredients of “low-carb” foods, their carbohydrate composition and their degree of processing based on the NOVA classification.
Dietas populares, como as detox, surgem a todo o momento. Todavia, poucos dados científicos comprovam a eficácia e segurança destas dietas. Este trabalho avaliou rótulos de bebidas à base de frutas e vegetais e identificou as que se autodenominam detox. Tratou-se de estudo transversal descritivo, realizado de setembro a outubro/2016. O tamanho da porção na informação nutricional e as alegações encontradas nos rótulos foram analisados em relação às legislações vigentes.Composição nutricional, quantidade total de ingredientes e presença de aditivos alimentares e/ou outros ingredientes não usuais em preparações culinárias foram comparados entre as bebidas detox e as comuns. De 83 produtos analisados, 9,6% (n=8) se autodenominaram detox. A composição nutricional e o número médio de ingredientes não diferiram entre as bebidas detox e as comuns. Alegações nutricionais e de saúde estavam presentes em 77,1% (n=64) dos produtos e 53,0% (n=44) apresentaram alegações não previstas na RDC nº 54/2012. As informações mais frequentes foram quanto aos teores de micronutrientes, açúcares, sódio e fibras. O termo detox, apesar de não permitido, é encontrado neste tipo de produto no mercado brasileiro. Os resultados sugerem que o termo detox seja utilizado mais como estratégia de marketing do que como real alegação de propriedade nutricional.
Rótulos de alimentos desempenham importante função, pois por meio deles os consumidores obtêm acesso às informações dos alimentos. Este estudo objetivou avaliar informações de rotulagem de kombuchas produzidas no Brasil e sua adequação às normas de rotulagem de alimentos. Tratou-se de estudo transversal-descritivo, realizado entre julho e agosto de 2020. Foram analisadas 30 kombuchas de marcas diferentes. Foram coletadas informações referentes à denominação de venda, identificação de origem, conteúdo líquido, informação nutricional, lista de ingredientes, informação sobre presença de glúten, graduação alcoólica, alegações nutricionais e de propriedade funcional/saúde, presença de expressões proibidas na rotulagem de kombucha e avaliadas a conformidade de tais informações com as legislações de rotulagem. Nenhum dos produtos atendeu a todas as normas vigentes. As informações de rotulagem mais frequentes entre os produtos avaliados foram: denominação de venda (100%), veiculação de expressões proibidas (93,3%), conteúdo líquido (90%) e alegações funcionais (56,7%). Dentre as informações disponíveis nos rótulos, as que apresentaram mais inconformidades com as legislações foram: alegações funcionais (100%), utilização de expressões proibidas (100%), conteúdo líquido (96,3%), e denominação de venda (76,7%). Apesar da obrigatoriedade da maioria das informações analisadas, todas as bebidas apresentaram inconformidades em seus rótulos, nos parâmetros avaliados. Este achado aponta para a necessidade de fiscalização mais rigorosa, a fim de garantir informações corretas e confiáveis aos consumidores.
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