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Article/Argentina – Changes in the use of non-nutritive sweeteners in sweet foods and beverages after implementation of Law of Promoting Healthy Eating in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina

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Introduction. The Law for the Promotion of Healthy Eating establishes that non-alcoholic food and beverages (F&B) with excess of critical nutrients must contain front-of-package warning labeling and in case of containing sweeteners and caffeine they must display a cautionary legend. The objective was to evaluate changes in the presence and types of non-nutritive sweeteners in sweet foods and beverages after the implementation of the PAS Law in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires.

Methods: Data were collected on the content and type of non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) from the packaging of sweets F&B in the main supermarket chains of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires in 2018/2019 and in 2023. Different non-parametric tests for matched samples were used to compare the frequency of F&B with NNS before and after the implementation of the regulation, the frequency of each NNS used by product category and changes in the number of NNS types between both periods.

Results: Of the total number of sweets F&B surveyed (n= 1823), a slight increase, although not significant, was found in the presence of ENN, from 26.9% to 27.6% (p=0.059). The beverage group was the only one with a significant increase (p<0.001). The most used additives, in both measurements, were acesulfame K (19.6% vs. 21.0%, p=0.001), aspartame (14.4% vs. 14.8%, p=0.169) and sucralose (11.4% vs. 12.0%, p=0.184). Of the 515 A&B with the presence of sweetener, 77.3% presented the cautionary legend.

Conclusions: One year after the application of the regulation, the change in the amount of NNS in the sweets F&B was not significant, except for the beverages group. It is necessary to monitor the presence of NNS in sweets F&B to know how the Law will impact the reformulation of the food matrix in the coming years. 

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Article – Communication of nutritional information: evaluation of the level of understanding of food labeling by the Venezuelan consumer

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Introduction: helping consumers to know what they eat represents a communication challenge. Objectives: to evaluate the level of understanding of the information contained in a nutritional label in Venezuelan adult consumers, and their eventual ability to extrapolate said data in making purchase decisions related to a balanced and healthy diet. Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study in which 377 people participated through a questionnaire with eight open questions, focused on the general use and perception of nutritional labeling, as well as the ability to interpret the information contained therein. Results: The 77.45% of the sample valued finding the nutritional information on the packaging of a product as very important. Middle-aged women read the nutritional information the most. In general, the performances on the understanding of the information of the nutritional table were very poor, and the only demographic variable studied strongly associated with its understanding was the educational level of the participants. Conclusions: a high percentage of people are unable to understand nutrition labeling information, representing a challenge for the evolution to more efficient labeling systems and consumer nutrition literacy programs.

For further information, you can access the original source in Spanish

7710-Texto del artículo-16399-1-10-20240625Dowload

Article – Impact of nutrient warning labels on Colombian consumers’ selection and identification of food and drinks high in sugar, sodium, and saturated fat: A randomized controlled trial

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Objective

This study assessed the impact of nutrient warnings on product selection and ability to identify food products high in nutrients of concern in Colombia.

Methods

In an online experiment (May-June 2023), Colombian adults were randomized to a nutrient warning, guideline daily amounts (GDA), Nutri-Score, or no-label condition (n = 8,004). Participants completed selection tasks between two fruit drinks labeled according to their condition, one high in sugar and one not. Next, participants answered questions about products high in sugar, sodium, and/or saturated fat (“high-in” product). Finally, they selected which label would most discourage them from consuming a high-in product.

Results

Fewer participants (17%) exposed to the nutrient warning indicated they would purchase the high-sugar fruit drink compared to Nutri-Score (27%, Holm-adjusted (adj) p<0.001) and no label conditions (31%, adj p<0.001); there were no differences between the nutrient warning and GDA label (14%, adj p = 0.087). Compared to the nutrient warning, the GDA label was slightly more effective at helping consumers identify which drink was high in sugar (89% versus 92%, adj p<0.001), while the Nutri-Score and no-label conditions were less effective. Compared to all other conditions, nutrient warnings were more effective at helping participants identify that products were high in nutrients of concern, were more effective at decreasing intentions to purchase these high-in products and were perceived as more effective. Nutrient warnings were most often selected as the label that most discouraged consumption.

Conclusions

Nutrient warnings are a promising policy to help consumers identify and discourage consumption of products high in nutrients of concern.

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Article – Beyond the magnifying glass: new food labeling rules in Brazil

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This editorial explores the significant updates to food labeling regulations in Brazil implemented by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa). The standards, outlined by RDC No. 429/2020 and IN No. 75/2020, mandate front-of-package nutritional labeling, including a magnifying glass symbol to alert consumers about high levels of added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium. These measures aim to facilitate product comparison and enhance consumer understanding, promoting healthier food choices. Compliance with these norms must be achieved by April 22, 2024, as stipulated by a judicial decision that expedited the implementation timeline, with extended deadlines for small producers and non-alcoholic beverages in returnable packaging. In addition to discussing the technical details of the changes, the editorial emphasizes the implications of the new regulations, highlighting how social, cultural, and emotional factors influence dietary choices. The text underscores the need for ongoing education and regulatory vigilance to prevent misleading information and ensure that labeling effectively contributes to public health. Lastly, it reflects on global trends in nutritional labeling and its potential to reduce chronic diseases and healthcare costs, thereby increasing awareness of the importance of healthy eating.

For further information, you can access the original source in Portuguese

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Article/Brazil – Monitoring the first implementation year of the new nutrition labeling regulations in Brazil

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Objective This study aimed to monitor the initial 12 months of the implementation of the updated nutrition labeling regulations in Brazil approved in 2020, focusing on the presence and readability of the front-of-package nutrition labeling (FOPNL) on food packages and the presence of added sugars information in the nutrition facts panel.

Methods We used data on nutrition information and FOPNL of 6,829 food and beverages packages launched at Brazilian food retail between November 2022 and October 2023, available at the Mintel – Global New Products Database. We applied eligibility criteria regarding food groups and cut-off limits for three critical nutrients stipulated by regulations to identify products eligible for FOPNL. We classified the food and beverage according to the NOVA classification, identified the products with added sugars information in the nutrition facts panel and those with FOPNL for added sugar, saturated fat or sodium. Moreover, we analyzed the temporal trends in FOPNL presence among eligible products during the study period. Last, a subsample of 202 product labels was analyzed to identify non-compliance with FOPNL readability standards.

Results 63.9% of the products analyzed were eligible for at least one critical nutrient’s FOPNL; however, only 12.9% already featured FOPNL by the end of the 12-month implementation period. Among ultra-processed products, 65.1% were supposed to have FOPNL, but only 14.4% did. Less than 30% of sweet cookies, ice cream, tabletop sweeteners, and candies with added sugar in the list of ingredients declared this information in the nutritional facts panel. Analysis of label images revealed non-compliance with FOPNL readability regarding its location on the packaging, FOPNL in removable parts of the packaging or hidden positions, and inadequate color pattern and format.

Conclusion The implementation of the nutrition labeling regulations in Brazil within the first 12 months reached less than 15% of eligible foods and beverages, indicating non-compliance by the food industry. In this period, almost all new launched products available in the market should have been compliant with the new regulations. Such inadequacies undermine the expected impact of promoting healthier choices at the point of food purchase.

For further information, you can access the original source in English

2024.04.09.24305563v1.full_-1Download