Nutritional Content According to the Presence of Front of Package Marketing Strategies: The Case of Ultra-Processed Snack Food Products Purchased in Costa Rica

Abstract

The industry uses nutrition and health claims, premium offers, and promotional characters as marketing strategies (MS). The inclusion of these MS on ultra-processed products may influence child and adolescent purchase behavior. This study determined the proportion of foods carrying claims and marketing strategies, also the proportion of products with critical nutrients declaration, and nutritional profile differences between products that carry or not claims and MS on the front-of-package (FoP) of ultra-processed food products sold in Costa Rica. Data were obtained from 2423 photographs of seven food groups consumed as snacks that were sold in one of the most widespread and popular hypermarket chains in Costa Rica in 2015. Ten percent of products lacked a nutrition facts panel. Sodium was the least reported critical nutrient. Energy and critical nutrients were significantly highest in products that did not include any nutrition or health claim and in products that included at least one MS. Forty-four percent and 10% of all products displayed at least one nutrition or at least one health claim, respectively, and 23% displayed at least one MS. In conclusion, regulations are needed to restrict claims and marketing on ultra-processed food packages to generate healthier food environments and contribute to the prevention of childhood and adolescent obesity in Costa Rica.

Dairy and Fruit Listed as Main Ingredients Improve NRF8.3 Nutrient Density Scores of Children's Snacks

“…Children's snacks are not often viewed as particularly nutritious and many fall into the category of processed or "ultraprocessed foods" (37)(38)(39). Whereas, NP models were initially intended to guide consumer behaviors at the point of sale, the NP methodology is increasingly being used by food companies for product screening and reformulation.…”

Public health response to ultra-processed food and drinks

“…Food marketing also influences food preferences, purchasing, and consumption— particularly in children,26 and ultra-processed foods are often marketed in ways that appeal specifically to children 23. Since ultra-processed foods tend to have longer shelf lives than less processed foods there is less risk of waste for manufacturers and retailers.…”

“…Ultra-processed foods (a term which we use to include ultra-processed drinks in this article) tend to be highly palatable, convenient, shelf stable, and affordable, and are often marketed in ways that appeal to children 23. These characteristics may explain why, in high income and, increasingly, in middle-income countries, ultra-processed foods consistently account for more than 50% of dietary energy 456.…”

Salt/Sodium Intake Estimation in Children and Adolescents of Costa Rica

“…This is a pioneer study in Costa Rica for sodium intake estimation and in determining the groups and types of foods that most contribute to this intake in children and teenagers. These results can help to understand in a better way the national problem in these populations in order to define interventions that seek to effectively reduce excessive consumption of salt/sodium in children and teenagers, considering different food groups and age groups [10]. In addition, this research examined daily calorie intake, sodium intake and sodium density (milligrams of sodium per 1000 kcal), evidence that can be helpful for policymakers and food industry by distinguishing or recognizing differences in sodium intake and sources among the young Costa Rican population according to subgroups of age, sex, socioeconomic status and nutritional status due to excess body weight.…”