Energy, Sodium, Sugar and Saturated Fat Content of New Zealand Fast-Food Products and Meal Combos in 2020

Abstract

This study aimed to benchmark the healthiness of the New Zealand (NZ) fast-food supply in 2020. There are currently no actions or policies in NZ regarding the composition, serving size and labeling of fast food. Data on serving size and nutrient content of products was collected from company websites and in-store visits to 27 fast-food chains. For each fast-food category and type of combo meal, medians and interquartile ranges were calculated for serving size and energy, sodium, total sugar, and saturated fat per serving. Nutrient contents/serving were benchmarked against the United Kingdom (UK) soft drinks levy sugar thresholds and targets for salt for away from home foods, the NZ daily intake guidelines for energy, sodium, and saturated fat, and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation for free sugars. Analyses were conducted for the 30.3% (n = 1772) of products with available nutrition information and for 176 meal combos. Most (n = 67; 91.8%) sugar-sweetened drinks would qualify for a UK soft drink industry levy and 47% (n = 1072) of products exceeded the relevant UK sodium target. Half of the meal combos provided at least 50.3% of the daily energy requirements and at least 88.6% of the maximum recommended intake of sodium. Fast-food products and combo meals in NZ contribute far more energy and negative nutrients to recommended daily intake targets than is optimal for good health. The NZ Government should set reformulation targets and serving size guidance to reduce the potential impact of fast- food consumption on the health of New Zealanders.

Unhealthy Food at Your Fingertips: Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Nutritional Quality of Restaurants and Takeaway Outlets on an Online Food Delivery Platform in New Zealand

“…Discretionary menu items were approximately five times more likely to be offered as a value bundle as compared to an FFG menu item. This raises public health concerns as value bundles increase the energy content of the meal without adding any beneficial nutrients [ 54 ]. Similarly, a 2020 study in Brazil reported that unhealthier foods were advertised more frequently and were marketed more predominantly using discounts, free deliveries, and combos, compared to healthier foods [ 28 ].…”

Fast food consumption and its relationship with oral health among US adults: A cross-sectional NHANES-based study

“…The link between dental caries and fast-food consumption identified in this study invites us to reflect on the types of beverages and food items available at fast-food outlets. According to Lewis et al (2020) and Mackay et al (2021) , fast-food outlets offer a variety of options, such as desserts, burgers, condiments, sandwiches, breakfast sandwiches, and beverages ranging from sugary soft drinks to sugar-free soft drinks and hot drinks. Of the abovementioned items, the high sugar content of desserts and soft drinks is likely to contribute most significantly to the association between the development of dental caries and fast-food consumption.…”

Balancing evolutionary impulses: Effects of mindfulness on virtue food preference

“…Next, all participants were told they would be entered into a draw and one winner from the class could choose one of two gift cards. The first one was a “KFC” gift card, framed as the tasty (or vice) choice, and the second one was a “Tank Juice” gift card, framed as the healthy (or virtue), adapted from (Mackay et al, 2021).…”

“…Next, we explored vice versus virtue food through a consequential choice between a $20 “KFC” (tasty) gift card and a “Tank Juice” (healthy) $20 gift card. KFC and Tank Juice are well known in Australia/New Zealand for representing tasty versus healthy fast food (Mackay et al, 2021).…”