Public health response to ultra-processed food and drinks

Adams, Jean; Hofman, Karen; Moubarac, Jean‐Claude; Thow, Anne Marie

doi:10.1136/bmj.m2391

Cited by 77 publications

(87 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Based on the results from this study, pricing policies would be recommended to reduce the relative affordability of diets with a high caloric share of UPF and improve relative affordability of diets with a high caloric share of MPF in Belgium. Additionally, other structural nonfiscal interventions (i.e., whole food reformulation rather than nutrient-specific reformulation, food procurement policies) will be required to improve accessibility to convenient and affordable minimally processed foods and meals [42].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Cost of Diets According to Their Caloric Share of Ultraprocessed and Minimally Processed Foods in Belgium

et al. 2020

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Background: This study estimated the monetary cost of diets with higher and lower caloric shares of ultraprocessed food products (UPF) and unprocessed/minimally processed foods (MPF) in Belgium for various sociodemographic groups. Methods: Data from the latest nationally representative Food Consumption Survey (FCS) 2014–2015 (n = 3146; 3–64 years) were used. Dietary data were collected through two nonconsecutive 24-hour recalls (food diaries for children). Average prices for >2000 food items (year 2014) were derived from GfK ConsumerScan panel data and linked with foods consumed in the FCS. Foods eaten were categorized by their extent of processing using the NOVA classification. The average caloric share (percentage of daily energy intake) of UPF and MPF were calculated. The mean diet cost was compared across the UPF and MPF contribution tertiles, using linear regression. Results: The average price per 100 kcal for UPF was significantly cheaper (EUR 0.55; 95%CI = 0.45–0.64) than for MPF (EUR 1.29; 95% CI = 1.27–1.31). UPF contributed between 21.9% (female adults) and 29.9% (young boys), while MPF contributed between 29.5% (male adolescents) and 42.3% (female adults) to the daily dietary cost. The contribution of MPF to the daily dietary cost was significantly higher for individuals with a higher household education level compared to those with a lower household education level (p < 0.01). Adjusted for covariates, the average dietary cost per 2000 kcal was significantly lower for individuals in the highest compared to the lowest tertile for the proportion of daily energy consumed from UPF (EUR −0.37 ± 0.13; p = 0.006), and significantly higher for individuals in the highest compared to the lowest tertile for proportion of daily energy consumed from MPF (EUR 1.18 ± 0.12, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Diets with a larger caloric share of UPF were significantly cheaper than those with a lower contribution of these products, while the opposite was found for MPF. Policies that improve relative affordability and accessibility of MPF are recommended.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Cost of Diets According to Their Caloric Share of Ultraprocessed and Minimally Processed Foods in Belgium

et al. 2020

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“…There are also potential strategies to develop lessprocessed packaged foods (whole-food reformulation) and to promote the consumption of home-and hand-prepared foods. 195 There are several limitations of our analysis. We have not reported actual consumption and have instead used retail sales data.…”

Section: Policy Regulatory and Political Economy Driversmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…However, in focussing on the amount of certain nutrients in foods, this approach does not address other harms associated with food processing or how foods fit within an overall healthy diet. It has led to an over-reliance on 'nutrients-to-limit' reformulation initiatives in some countries, 194,195 with potentially counter-productive outcomes.…”

Section: Policy Regulatory and Political Economy Driversmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…85 Only Brazil, Peru, Uruguay, Ecuador and Canada have dietary guidelines that differentiate foods by the degree of processing, recommending to favour unprocessed and minimally processed foods, limit processed foods and avoid UPFs altogether. 4,85,195 Weak worldwide responses also reflect the power of the food industry to undermine political commitment for action. 199,200 The food industry, including predominantly transnational food corporations and the peak industry groups that represent them, has strongly resisted policy responses using standard 'playbook' tactics.…”

Section: Policy Regulatory and Political Economy Driversmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ultra‐processed foods and the nutrition transition: Global, regional and national trends, food systems transformations and political economy drivers

et al. 2020

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Understanding the drivers and dynamics of global ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption is essential, given the evidence linking these foods with adverse health outcomes. In this synthesis review, we take two steps. First, we quantify per capita volumes and trends in UPF sales, and ingredients (sweeteners, fats, sodium and cosmetic additives) supplied by these foods, in countries classified by income and region. Second, we review the literature on food systems and political economy factors that likely explain the observed changes. We find evidence for a substantial expansion in the types and quantities of UPFs sold worldwide, representing a transition towards a more processed global diet but with wide variations between regions and countries. As countries grow richer, higher volumes and a wider variety of UPFs are sold. Sales are highest in Australasia, North America, Europe and Latin America but growing rapidly in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. These developments are closely linked with the industrialization of food systems, technological change and globalization, including growth in the market and political activities of transnational food corporations and inadequate policies to protect nutrition in these new contexts. The scale of dietary change underway, especially in highly populated middle-income countries, raises serious concern for global health.

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“…Such frameworks will contribute to the project of reimagining food systems that aim to provide nourishing, convenient, and minimally processed foods, and in which the harmful products and practices of ultra-processed corporations are no longer tolerated. 18…”

Section: Recapturing Nutrition Sciencementioning

confidence: 99%

Ultra-processed foods and the corporate capture of nutrition—an essay by Gyorgy Scrinis

Scrinis

2020

BMJ

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Public health response to ultra-processed food and drinks

Abstract: Growing evidence confirms a link between consumption of ultra-processed food and drinks and non-communicable diseases. Jean Adams and colleagues explore the implications for public health action

Cited by 77 publications

References 41 publications

The Cost of Diets According to Their Caloric Share of Ultraprocessed and Minimally Processed Foods in Belgium

The Cost of Diets According to Their Caloric Share of Ultraprocessed and Minimally Processed Foods in Belgium

Ultra‐processed foods and the nutrition transition: Global, regional and national trends, food systems transformations and political economy drivers

Ultra-processed foods and the corporate capture of nutrition—an essay by Gyorgy Scrinis

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