Abstract
Nutri-score is simplified front-of-pack nutrition labelling on packed food products, used in a broad international context to categorize food products into five colour/letter grades (best A to worst E) that reflect the foods’ nutritional quality. The labels serve as potential help for consumers to make healthier food choices and encourage food industries to improve the nutritional quality of the foods they produce. The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional scores and grades of meat products present on the Serbian retail market. Ultimately, this should point out to consumers the importance of proper nutrition and encourage the meat industry to adapt to new labelling requirements. During a two year period, 310 packaged locally-produced meat products were purchased at retail, graded according to the Nutri-score method and categorized into 13 ad hoc product groups. The results obtained showed that 82.5% of all examined meat products had nutritional scores that meant they were classified as unhealthy foods, while only 2.9% of meat products (these were fresh meat or minced meats) were classified as healthy foods. Of the total number of examined meat products, 41.5% were classified as grade E, 41% were classified as grade D, 13% received grade C, 1.6% received grade B, while only 2.9 % were classified as grade A. Sodium chloride was an especially burdensome parameter in 10 groups (77% of all products examined), while the presence of saturated fat was troublesome in 7 groups (54%) and high energy balance in 2 groups (15%). Serbian manufacturers are advised to implement new formulations and/or procedures in an effort to reduce these parameters in the meat products they produce.
Highlights
Novel national legislation (Anonymous, 2018) requires a nutrition declaration on meat products placed on the Serbian retail market
The results showed that 82.5% of all examined meat products were classified as unhealthy foods, while only 2.9% of the meat products were classified as healthy foods
For the 13 groups of examined meat products for which the nutritional score was determined, sodium/sodium chloride was an especially burdensome parameter in 10 groups (77%), while the presence of saturated fat was troublesome in 7 groups (54%) and a high energy balance in 2 groups (15%)
Summary
Novel national legislation (Anonymous, 2018) requires a nutrition declaration on meat products placed on the Serbian retail market. Food business operators must have a nutrition declaration on their label, indicating the energy value and the amounts of fat, saturated fat, carbohydrate, sugar, protein and salt. The energy value and all nutrients declared must be expressed in absolute amounts per 100 g or 100 ml (Anonymous, 2013). They can be expressed per package or per portion. Consumer groups and public health organisations have called for bans on the advertising of “unhealthy” food to children for several decades. Food companies have resisted having any products described as unhealthy, but have gradually developed a number of different schemes that define products they believe are ‘healthy’ (or at least ‘healthier’) and appropriate for advertising to children. Health and consumer groups have called for a single scheme — or nutrient profiling model — consistent with international recommendations for NUTRI-SCORE
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