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Article – Effects of front-of-package caffeine and sweetener disclaimers in Mexico: Cross-sectional results from the 2020 International Food Policy Study

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Objective:

Front-of-pack warning labels introduced in Mexico in 2020 included disclaimers that caution against allowing children to consume products with non-sugary sweeteners and caffeine. We examined the awareness and use of the disclaimers among Mexican adults and youth one month after the regulation was implemented. We also investigated their impact on the perceived healthfulness of industrialized beverages designed for children.

Design:

Data on the awareness and use of the disclaimers were analyzed. Two between-subjects experiments examined the effect of a sweetener disclaimer (Experiment 1, youth and adults) or a caffeine disclaimer (Experiment 2, only adults) on the perceived healthfulness of industrialized beverages. Interactions between experimental conditions and demographic characteristics were tested.

Setting:

Online survey in 2020.

Participants:

Mexican adults (≥18 years, n=2,108) and youth (10-17 years, n=1,790).

Results:

Most participants (>80%) had seen the disclaimers at least rarely, and over 60% used them sometimes or frequently. The sweetener disclaimer led to a lower perceived healthfulness of a fruit drink (Adults: 2.74±1.44; Youth: 2.04±0.96) compared to the no-disclaimer condition (Adults: 3.17±1.54; Youth: 2.32±0.96) (t’s:>4.0, P-values: <0.001). This effect was larger among older adults and male youth. The caffeine disclaimer did not affect adult’s perceived healthfulness of a caffeinated drink (t=0.861, p value=0.3894).

Conclusions:

There was high awareness and use of the sweeteners and caffeine disclaimers shortly after the warning labels were implemented. The sweetener disclaimer appears to be helping consumers modify their perceptions regarding industrialized beverages for children. Findings may help decision-makers improve the regulation and better target communication strategies.

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

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Brazil/Article – Whole grain products in Brazil: the need for regulation to ensure nutritional benefits and prevent the misuse of marketing strategie

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OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the use of “whole grains” claims in food products marketed in Brazil and evaluate the nutrient profile of these products.

METHODS: Data from 775 grain-based packaged foods collected in Brazil from April to July 2017 were analyzed. Based on the INFORMAS protocol for food labeling, the prevalence of packaged foods with “whole grains” claims was estimated. Information on the list of ingredients was analyzed to evaluate the presence and amount of whole or refined grains in six food groups. The nutrient profiles of the products with and without “whole grains” claims were compared using the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) nutrient profile model.

RESULTS: The packages of about 19% of the evaluated products showed “whole grains” claims in their front panel. Of these, 35% lacked any whole grains among their top three ingredients. Breakfast cereals, granola bars, bread, cakes and other bakery products, cookies, and pasta had higher amounts of refined flour than whole grain ingredients in their compositions. We found 66% of products with “whole grains” claims were high in nutrients of concern according to PAHO’s criteria.

CONCLUSION: Our results showed that over a third of the products in Brazil with “whole grains” claims lacked whole grains as one of their main ingredients. Most had a high content of nutrients associated with noncommunicable chronic disease risk factors, indicating the overestimation of their health benefits.

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

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Article/Peru – Nutritional information on the labels of processed and ultra-processed foods and beverages marketed in a supermarket chain in Lima in 2022

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Objectives.

To estimate the number of processed and ultra-processed beverages and foods that provide nutritional information on their packaging, and to describe the characteristics of this information, as well as to determine the presence of nutritional information on products with octagons.

Materials and methods.

Photographs were taken of the labels of 4404 processed and ultra-processed beverages and foods marketed in supermarkets in Metropolitan Lima. The information on the label was collected and registered in the mobile and web version of the Food Label Information Program (FLIP). We analyzed variables related to the nutritional information, the way in which such information is declared and the information in beverages and foods with octagons.

Results.

Only 71.4% of the products had some type of nutritional information. Of these, 13.8% provided the nutritional information as a text and not in a table, and only 56.3% declared it per 100 grams or milliliters. Of the total number of foods with the octagon “Contains trans fats”, only 19.2% declared their content.

Conclusions.

More than a quarter of the beverages and packaged foods in the Peruvian market did not provide nutritional information of any kind, and of those that did, only one did so in different formats and units. In addition, we found that a proportion of beverages and foods for each type of octagon did not declare information of the nutrient that is mentioned in the octagon.

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

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Article – Regulatory policies for sugar consumption and junk food in 3 Latin American countries

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Abstract: The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and unhealthy foods is a public health problem that has become a regulatory issue for the public policies aimed at reducing the impact of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Latin America.

Objective: To identify the Public Policies in Colombia, Argentina and Chile for the regulation of the consumption of sugar and junk food. Materials and methods. Exploratory analysis through a literature and policy documents review.

Results: In 2021, Colombia approved the Law 2120 called “Junk Food Law” promoting public access to information for a healthy food environment to prevent NCDs. It includes food labeling for overweight and obesity prevention and establishes a specific labeling regulation for processed and ultra-processed food and sweet drink products. Chile was pioneer in the development of warning stamps on food packages and since 2014 also taxes sweet non-alcoholic beverages. In 2021, Argentina approved a law to add labels on food packages to alert consumers about excess of sugars, fats and sodium.

Conclusions: The three investigated countries have labeling policies for processed food, and Chile puts taxes on sugary drinks. It is important to study the impact of these policies on NCD prevalence, severity and on dental caries.

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

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Article/Brazil – Nutrition: transparency on labels and consumer information

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The Ministry of Health launched the Food Guide for the Population in 2014, which defined ultra-processed foods as ready-to-eat products made primarily from synthetic substances. In addition to the harm of overconsumption, food labels are difficult to understand and influence food choices. It is necessary to make the population aware of healthy choices to promote public health, considering the increase in chronic degenerative diseases due to changes in eating patterns and a sedentary lifestyle. The document presents an essential literary basis, based on a qualitative and investigative perspective. The consulted references are accessible on both national and international platforms, and can be found in languages such as Portuguese and English. The purpose of this article is to address the importance of transparency in nutrition labels and provide relevant information to consumers. Although food labeling helps in choosing healthy foods, there is a lack of understanding. Legal norms should establish hygienic-sanitary standards, considering the low level of understanding and reliability on the labels. In Brazil, the Ministry of Health highlights the importance of clear labeling and the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) is responsible for regulation. New rules were announced in 2022, aimed at improving the legibility of labels and including information such as total and added sugars. Other countries, such as Argentina, Chile, Mexico and Uruguay, have also implemented nutrition labeling regulations. In the United States, the use of the Nutrition Facts Label (NFL) has been mandatory since 1990, and revised rules were released in 2016 to make information clearer.

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

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