Beverage Purchases Research Articles

Impact of soda tax on beverage price, sale, purchase, and consumption in the US: a systematic review and meta-analysis of natural experiments.

As a primary source of added sugars in the US diet, sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is presumed to contribute to obesity prevalence and poor oral health. We systematically synthesized and quantified evidence from US-based natural experiments concerning the impact of SSB taxes on beverage prices, sales, purchases, and consumption. A keyword and reference search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and EconLit from the inception of an electronic bibliographic database to Oct 31, 2022. Meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the pooled effect of soda taxes on SSB consumption, prices, passthrough rate, and purchases. Twenty-six natural experiments, all adopting a difference-in-differences approach, were included. Studies assessed soda taxes in Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco in California, Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, Boulder in Colorado, Seattle in Washington, and Cook County in Illinois. Tax rates ranged from 1 to 2 ¢/oz. The imposition of the soda tax was associated with a 1.06 ¢/oz. (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.90, 1.22) increase in SSB prices and a 27.3% (95% CI = 19.3, 35.4%) decrease in SSB purchases. The soda tax passthrough rate was 79.7% (95% CI = 65.8, 93.6%). A 1 ¢/oz. increase in soda tax rate was associated with increased prices of SSBs by 0.84 ¢/oz (95% CI = 0.33, 1.35). Soda taxes could be effective policy leverage to nudge people toward purchasing and consuming fewer SSBs. Future research should examine evidence-based classifications of SSBs, targeted use of revenues generated by taxes to reduce health and income disparities, and the feasibility of redesigning the soda tax to improve efficiency.

How has the strict lockdown during the SARS-COV-2 outbreak changed the diet of Spaniards?

PurposeWe investigate the impact of a specific macroeconomic shock that occurred as a response to the SARS-COV-2 outbreak, namely the strict lockdown imposed in Spain on the March 14, 2020. MethodsWe use fortnightly purchase data relating to over 50,000 households from a supermarket chain in Catalonia from March to June in 2019 and 2020. Using a panel data approach, we analyse the impact of the lockdown on the caloric content, sugar composition, and alcohol content in beverages and food purchases bought before and after lockdown. We corrected our results to take into account the likelihood of stockpiling. ResultsThe lockdown is related to an increase in unhealthy beverage and food purchases. We find heterogeneous effects across groups of the sample based on cardholder characteristics. Families with children or babies and those in the upper two income quintiles had the unhealthiest changes. As the lockdown went through phases of relaxation, households made better food decisions but maintained unhealthy beverage choices. ConclusionsThe very restrictive lockdown negatively impacted the characteristics of food and beverage purchases made by Spaniards. However, we are unsure whether there was substitution to restaurant and bar visits. Additional work to find out whether there were permanent changes in purchasing behaviour after lockdown ended is needed in the future.

Characteristics Associated With Purchasing Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Bottled Water Among US Households, 2015

BackgroundFrequent intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) among US adults is a public health concern because it has been associated with increased risks for adverse health outcomes such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. In contrast, drinking plain water (such as tap, bottled, or unsweetened sparkling water) instead of drinking SSBs might provide health benefits by improving diet quality and helping prevent chronic diseases. However, there is limited information on estimated expenditures on SSBs or bottled water among US households. ObjectiveThis study examined differences in SSB and bottled water purchasing according to household and geographic area characteristics and estimated costs spent on purchasing SSB and bottled water from retail stores among a nationally representative sample of US households. DesignThis study is a secondary analysis of the 2015 Circana (formerly Information Resources Inc) Consumer Network Panel data, which were merged with the US Department of Agriculture nutrition data using the US Department of Agriculture Purchase-to-Plate Crosswalk-2015 dataset (the latest available version of the Purchase-to-Plate Crosswalk at the time the study began), and the Child Opportunity Index 2.0 data. Participants/settingsA total of 63,610 households, representative of the contiguous US population, consistently provided food and beverage purchase scanner data from retail stores throughout 2015. Explanatory variablesThe included demographic and socioeconomic variables were household head’s age, marital status, highest education level, race and ethnicity of the primary shopper in the household, family income relative to the federal poverty level, and presence of children in the household. In addition, descriptors of households’ residential areas were included, such as the county-level poverty prevalence, urbanization, census region, and census tract level Child Opportunity Index. Main outcome measuresAnnual per capita spending on SSB and bottled water and daily per capita SSB calories purchased. Statistical analysisUnadjusted and multivariable adjusted mean values of the main outcome measures were compared by household demographic, socioeconomic, and geographic characteristics using linear regression analysis including Circana’s household projection factors. ResultsNearly all households reported purchasing SSBs at least once during 2015 and spent on average $47 (interquartile range = $20) per person per year on SSBs, which corresponded to 211 kcal (interquartile range = 125 kcal) of SSBs per person per day. About seven in 10 households reported purchasing bottled water at least once during 2015 and spent $11 (interquartile range = $5) per person on bottled water per year. Both annual per capita SSB and bottled water spending, and daily per capita SSB calories purchased was highest for households whose heads were between 40 and 59 years of age, had low household income, or lived in poor counties, or counties with a low Child Opportunity Index. Annual per capita spending was also higher for households with never married/widowed/divorced head, or at least 1 non-Hispanic Black head, and households without children, or those living in the South. Daily per capita SSB calorie purchases were highest for households where at least 1 head had less than a high school degree, households with at least 1 Hispanic or married head, and households with children or those living in the Midwest. ConclusionsThese findings suggest that households that had lower socioeconomic status had higher annual per capita spending on SSBs and bottled water and higher daily per capita total SSB calories purchased than households with higher socioeconomic status.

How do factors of brand-related behavior (brand loyalty, brand relevance in category, brand schematicity) impact consumers’ alcoholic drink purchases?

PurposeThis study investigated the factors of brand-related behavior, such as brand schematicity (BS), brand relevance in category (BRiC) and brand loyalty (BL), to clarify how they influence customer purchasing behavior regarding alcohol and other beverages. This study aims to provide insights that may benefit corporate and regulatory sectors regarding brand-related customer behavior and increases/decreases in alcoholic beverage purchases.Design/methodology/approachThis study included a sample of 501 Hungarian participants, representative of the population in many respects. The author constructed a model using partial least squares structural equation modeling with data collected from internationally validated scales.FindingsThe findings of this study reveal that BL or BRiC do not positively and directly influence purchase frequency in the beer, wine and pálinka categories; however, their purchase frequency is significantly and positively influenced by BS. Additionally, the degree of BS was somewhat above average for alcoholic beverages compared to nonalcoholic beverages; it was also slightly higher for beer than for wine and pálinka.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to examine the three brand-related factors of customer behavior, analyze their connections and clarify their effects on alcoholic beverage purchases. BS is a relatively new factor; to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no other study to date has measured the extent of BS and its association with beverage-related customer behaviors. Future studies can compare this study’s findings on the level of BS for eight alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is also the first to investigate brand-related customer behavior regarding pálinka.

Associations between food and beverage purchases and skin carotenoids among diverse small food retail store customers.

To determine if customer purchases at small food stores are associated with healthfulness of the diet as approximated by skin carotenoids. Cross-sectional survey of customers in small food stores regarding demographics and food purchases. Food and beverage purchases were classified as "healthy" or "non-healthy" and "carotenoid" versus "non-carotenoid" using a systematic classification scheme. Fruit and vegetable intake was objectively assessed using a non-invasive device to measure skin carotenoids. Associations between variables of interest were examined using Pearson's correlation coefficients, t-tests, and multiple linear regression analyses. Twenty-two small food retail stores in rural (n = 7 stores) and urban (n = 15) areas of North Carolina. Customers of small food stores. Of study participants (n = 1,086), 55.1% were male, 60.0% were African American/Black, 4.2% were Hispanic, with a mean age of 43.5 years. Overall, 36% purchased at least one healthy item, and 7.6% of participants purchased a carotenoid-containing food/beverage. Healthy foods and beverages purchased included produce, lean meats, 100% juices, plain popcorn, plain nuts, milk, and yogurt. Unhealthy items included non-100% juices, crackers, chips, candy, cakes, and donuts. Purchase of a healthy or carotenoid-containing item was positively associated with skin carotenoid scores (p=0.002 and 0.006, respectively). A relatively small proportion of customers purchased any healthy or carotenoid-containing foods and beverages, and those who did purchase healthy options had higher skin carotenoid scores. Future research should confirm these findings in different populations.

Changes in Food and Beverage Purchases Associated With the Coronavirus Disease Pandemic in Mexico

BackgroundPublic policies to contain the spread of coronavirus disease in Mexico could have had an effect on food purchase patterns. ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to assess changes in the quantity of food and beverages purchased and proportion spent on food consumed away from home during the coronavirus disease pandemic in Mexican households. DesignThis study is a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from the National Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2014-2020. Participants/settingThe study included 234,631 households with information on food and beverages purchases from 2014 to 2020. Main outcome measuresFood and beverage purchases were classified into six categories: basic, nonbasic energy-dense foods, prepared food for consumption at home, water, milk, and sugar-sweetened beverages. In the National Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2014-2020, expenditures on food and beverages consumed away from home are not classified into any specific items but represents more than 10% of food and beverage expenditures; therefore, the analyses included the proportion of food and beverage expenditures spent on food consumed away from home. Statistical analyses performedA two-part model was used to evaluate changes in the quantity of food purchased and the proportion spent away from home during the coronavirus disease pandemic in 2020 compared with 2018, adjusting for socio-demographic variables, gross domestic product and previous survey rounds. Results are presented at the national level, by income quintile and by place of residence. ResultsPurchases of basic food increased by 17 g/capita/day at the national level and 22.4 g/capita/day in urban areas (P < 0.001). Purchases of nonbasic energy-dense foods decreased both at the national level (–4.2 g/capita/day; P < 0.001) and by place of residence (–4.8 g/capita/day; P < 0.001 in urban areas and –2.5 g/capita/day; P = 0.001 in rural settings). Purchases of prepared food increased 16 g/capita/day (P < 0.001). In rural areas, purchases of sugar-sweetened beverages increased 7.2 mL/per capita/day (P < 0.001). For the lowest income quintile purchases of processed meat increased 2.4 g/capita/day (P < 0.001). The proportion spent on food consumed away from home decreased by –44.9% (P < 0.001). ConclusionsResults of this study show that during the coronavirus disease lockdown there was an increase in basic and prepared food purchases, whereas purchases of nonbasic energy-dense foods and the proportion spent on food consumed away from home decreased. However, findings showed an increase in sugar-sweetened beverages purchases among rural dwellers and an increase in purchases of processed meat among the lowest income quintile. Various factors such as income reductions, unemployment, mobility restrictions, or increases in prices may have led the observed changes. Future research should be conducted to analyze these potential pathways.

Philadelphia Beverage Tax and Association With Prices, Purchasing, and Individual-Level Substitution in a National Pharmacy Chain

Taxes on sweetened beverages are being implemented around the globe; an understanding of these taxes on individual-level behavior is necessary. To evaluate the degree to which the sweetened beverage tax in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was associated with changes in beverage prices and individual-level purchasing over time at a national pharmacy chain in Philadelphia compared with Baltimore, Maryland. Using a difference-in-differences approach and generalized linear mixed models, this cohort study examined beverage purchases made by loyalty cardholders at a national chain pharmacy retailer with stores in Philadelphia and Baltimore (control city) from before tax to after tax. Beverage sales (in US dollars) were linked by unique loyalty card numbers to enable longitudinal analyses. Data were collected from January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2017 (2 years before tax and 1 year after tax); data analyses were conducted from January through October 2022. Implementation of Philadelphia's 1.5 cents/oz tax on sweetened beverages. The outcomes were the change in mean beverage price per-ounce and mean beverage volume purchased per cardholder transaction. Individual-level point-of-sale scanner data from all beverage purchases were analyzed. A total of 1188 unique beverages were purchased from the same stores before tax and after tax. There were 231 065 unique cardholders in Philadelphia and 82 517 in Baltimore. Mean prices of taxed beverages (n = 2 094 220) increased by 1.6 (95% CI, 1.3-2.0) cents/oz (106.7% pass-through) in Philadelphia compared with Baltimore from before tax to after tax. Philadelphia cardholders purchased 7.8% (95% CI -8.1% to -7.5%) fewer ounces of taxed beverages and 1.1% (95% CI, 0.6%-1.7%) more ounces of nontaxed beverages per transaction. Taxed beverages made up a smaller percentage of cardholders' overall beverage purchases after tax (-13.4% [95% CI, -14.2% to -12.6%]), while nontaxed beverages made up a larger share (9.3% [95% CI, 7.7%-10.7%]). In this longitudinal cohort study of the Philadelphia beverage tax, the tax was completely passed through to prices and was associated with a 7.8% decline in ounces of taxed beverages purchased at a national pharmacy chain.

The Impact of (COVID)-19 on Beverage Purchasing Behaviors in Korea.

Objective: In this study, we examined changes in purchase behavior of alcoholic beverages (ie, soju, beer, wine, traditional Korean liquor, and liquor) and non-alcoholic beverages (ie, fruit and vegetable juices, coffee, tea, bottled water, milk, yogurt, and plant-based milk) before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Monthly beverage expenditure data, based on Korean household demographic information, was used for 3 years and 6 months. The 2-part model was used for analysis. To examine the effect of COVID-19, beverage expenditure was analyzed after dividing it into short-term and long-term effects. Results: Our results show that the probability of purchasing alcoholic beverages increased owing to the long-term effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. The amounts of beer, wine, and traditional Korean liquor purchased increased in the long-term. The purchase of sweet drinks decreased (ie, fruit and vegetable juices and yogurt) in the long-term because of the effect of the pandemic. On the other hand, tea, water, and plant-based milk expenditures increased. Conclusion: This beverage consumption pattern reflects both unhealthy (ie, an increase in alcoholic beverage purchases) and healthy drinking behaviors (ie, a decrease in sweet beverage purchases and an increase in tea, water, and plant-based milk purchases).

Using Direct Observation to Examine the Relationship between Smoking and Consumption Patterns in a Middle Eastern Food Services Setting

Abstract Despite the widespread implementation of tobacco control efforts, tobacco use persists in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), which is projected to experience the smallest decline in worldwide smoking rates. Although researchers have never explicitly examined the relationship between smoking and consumption behaviour, the two phenomena may be interrelated, especially in social settings. Utilising unobtrusive observational research, the current study examines the influence of smoking and social interaction on food and beverage purchases in one specific EMR country, Kuwait. The findings indicate that smokers tend to congregate in larger parties, purchase more items, spend more overall, and exhibit longer dwell time in comparison to their non-smoking counterparts. One explanation is that smoking and social interaction remain entwined in the social and cultural traditions of the region.

Analysis of the Impact of Digital Payment Platforms on Financial Management During the Covid-19 Pandemic (Case Study of ITB Students)

When the Covid Pandemic hit, many changes occurred in human life. Various activities in everyday life had to be limited. including one of them in the payment transaction. Digital payments are one of the solutions that are considered the safest during a pandemic. Digital payments are very popular, especially among the younger generation, including ITB students. Students have made transactions using digital payment platforms, such as Go-Pay, OVO, mobile banking, and so on. Students have a fairly high intensity in using digital payment platforms, especially in shopping transactions of 85%. In terms of purchase transactions, food &amp; beverage purchase transactions are in first place, and clothing and shoes purchase transactions are in second place. Ease of payment, and feeling more comfortable, as well as promos and discounts, are the three main reasons for using digital payment platforms. However, the use of digital payment platforms does not make students better at managing finances. With a digital payment platform, students become increasingly consumptive. However, digital payment platforms are very helpful in tracking expenses and income.

Trends in food and beverage purchases in informal, mixed, and formal food outlets in Mexico: ENIGH 1994-2020.

The retail food environment in Mexico is characterized by the co-existence of both, formal and informal food outlets. Yet, the contribution of these outlets to food purchases over time has not been documented. Understanding the longitudinal trends where Mexican households purchase their foods is critical for the development of future food retail policies. We used data from Mexico's National Income and Expenditure Survey from 1994 to 2020. We categorized food outlets as formal (supermarkets, chain convenience stores, restaurants), informal (street markets, street vendors, acquaintances), and mixed (fiscally regulated or not. i.e., small neighborhood stores, specialty stores, public markets). We calculated the proportion of food and beverage purchases by food outlet for each survey for the overall sample and stratified by education level and urbanicity. In 1994, the highest proportion of food purchases was from mixed outlets, represented by specialty and small neighborhood stores (53.7%), and public markets (15.9%), followed by informal outlets (street vendors and street markets) with 12.3%, and formal outlets from which supermarkets accounted for 9.6%. Over time, specialty and small neighborhood stores increased 4.7 percentage points (p.p.), while public markets decreased 7.5 p.p. Street vendors and street markets decreased 1.6 p.p., and increased 0.5 p.p. for supermarkets. Convenience stores contributed 0.5% at baseline and increased to 1.3% by 2020. Purchases at specialty stores mostly increased in higher socioeconomic levels (13.2 p.p.) and metropolitan cities (8.7 p.p.) while public markets decreased the most in rural households and lower socioeconomic levels (6.0 p.p. & 5.3 p.p.). Supermarkets and chain convenience stores increased the most in rural localities and small cities. In conclusion, we observed an increase in food purchases from the formal sector, nonetheless, the mixed sector remains the predominant food source in Mexico, especially small-neighborhood stores. This is concerning, since these outlets are mostly supplied by food industries. Further, the decrease in purchases from public markets could imply a reduction in the consumption of fresh produce. In order to develop retail food environment policies in Mexico, the historical and predominant role of the mixed sector in food purchases needs to be acknowledged.

Australians support for policy initiatives addressing unhealthy diet: a population-based study.

To inform public health policy implementation in Australia, our study investigated the level of public support for six policy initiatives addressing unhealthy diet. The policy initiatives included taxing soft drinks and energy drinks, taxing less healthy food and beverage purchases, zoning to restrict the supply of junk foods near schools, prohibiting advertising and promotion of less healthy food and beverages to children under the age of 16 and restricting sugar-sweetened beverages from vending machines in schools, and public places. Data from a cross-sectional population-based study for 4040 Australians aged 15+ years, were analysed. A high overall support across all policy initiatives was observed. Nearly three-quarter of public support was observed for policy initiatives targeting children (zoning to restrict the supply of junk food near schools, prohibiting advertising and promotion of less healthy food and beverages to children under the age of 16 and restricting sugars-sweetened beverages from vending machines in schools), and half of Australians supported policy initiatives of taxing soft drinks and energy drinks and taxing less healthy food and beverage purchases. Australian women and those with tertiary level of education were more likely to support public health initiatives targeting children and all policy initiatives respectively. Interestingly, young adults expressed low level of support for all policy initiatives. The study demonstrated considerable public support for policy initiatives focussed on protecting children from unhealthy diet in Australia. Framing, designing and implementing policies targeting children is potentially a good starting point for policymakers to create a health promoting food environment.

ANALISIS PENGARUH MINAT BELI KONSUMEN TERHADAP PEMBELIAN MAKANAN DAN MINUMAN MELALUI APLIKASI GO FOOD

The purpose of this research is to analyze and discuss the influence of consumer buying interest on the purchase of food and beverages through the Go Food application. This research is a causal research, that kind of research that is analyzed quantitatively. This research uses two data, namely primary data obtained from the results of questionnaire answers as many as 30 respondents and secondary data obtained from literature books, journals, scientific articles, and news articles related to the topic of discussion. The analysis technique used in this research is simple linear regression with the help of SPSS 23 software. The results show that there is a positive and significant influence on consumer buying interest in food and beverage purchasing decisions in the Go Food application.

Evaluation of the sugar-sweetened beverage tax in Oakland, United States, 2015-2019: A quasi-experimental and cost-effectiveness study.

While a 2021 federal commission recommended that the United States government levy a sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) tax to improve diabetes prevention and control efforts, evidence is limited regarding the longer-term impacts of SSB taxes on SSB purchases, health outcomes, costs, and cost-effectiveness. This study estimates the impact and cost-effectiveness of an SSB tax levied in Oakland, California. An SSB tax ($0.01/oz) was implemented on July 1, 2017, in Oakland. The main sample of sales data included 11,627 beverage products, 316 stores, and 172,985,767 product-store-month observations. The main analysis, a longitudinal quasi-experimental difference-in-differences approach, compared changes in beverage purchases at stores in Oakland versus Richmond, California (a nontaxed comparator in the same market area) before and 30 months after tax implementation (through December 31, 2019). Additional estimates used synthetic control methods with comparator stores in Los Angeles, California. Estimates were inputted into a closed-cohort microsimulation model to estimate quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and societal costs (in Oakland) from 6 SSB-associated disease outcomes. In the main analysis, SSB purchases declined by 26.8% (95% CI -39.0 to -14.7, p < 0.001) in Oakland after tax implementation, compared with Richmond. There were no detectable changes in purchases of untaxed beverages or sweet snacks or purchases in border areas surrounding cities. In the synthetic control analysis, declines in SSB purchases were similar to the main analysis (-22.4%, 95% CI -41.7% to -3.0%, p = 0.04). The estimated changes in SSB purchases, when translated into declines in consumption, would be expected to accrue QALYs (94 per 10,000 residents) and significant societal cost savings (>$100,000 per 10,000 residents) over 10 years, with greater gains over a lifetime horizon. Study limitations include a lack of SSB consumption data and use of sales data primarily from chain stores. An SSB tax levied in Oakland was associated with a substantial decline in volume of SSBs purchased, an association that was sustained more than 2 years after tax implementation. Our study suggests that SSB taxes are effective policy instruments for improving health and generating significant cost savings for society.

Implementation of a food retail intervention to reduce purchase of unhealthy food and beverages in remote Australia: mixed-method evaluation using the consolidated framework for implementation research

BackgroundAdoption of health-enabling food retail interventions in food retail will require effective implementation strategies. To inform this, we applied an implementation framework to a novel real-world food retail intervention, the Healthy Stores 2020 strategy, to identify factors salient to intervention implementation from the perspective of the food retailer.MethodsA convergent mixed-method design was used and data were interpreted using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). The study was conducted alongside a randomised controlled trial in partnership with the Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation (ALPA). Adherence data were collected for the 20 consenting Healthy Stores 2020 study stores (ten intervention /ten control) in 19 communities in remote Northern Australia using photographic material and an adherence checklist. Retailer implementation experience data were collected through interviews with the primary Store Manager for each of the ten intervention stores at baseline, mid- and end-strategy. Deductive thematic analysis of interview data was conducted and informed by the CFIR. Intervention adherence scores derived for each store assisted interview data interpretation.ResultsHealthy Stores 2020 strategy was, for the most part, adhered to. Analysis of the 30 interviews revealed that implementation climate of the ALPA organisation, its readiness for implementation including a strong sense of social purpose, and the networks and communication between the Store Managers and other parts of ALPA, were CFIR inner and outer domains most frequently referred to as positive to strategy implementation. Store Managers were a ‘make-or-break’ touchstone of implementation success. The co-designed intervention and strategy characteristics and its perceived cost–benefit, combined with the inner and outer setting factors, galvanised the individual characteristics of Store Managers (e.g., optimism, adaptability and retail competency) to champion implementation. Where there was less perceived cost–benefit, Store Managers seemed less enthusiastic for the strategy.ConclusionsFactors critical to implementation (a strong sense of social purpose; structures and processes within and external to the food retail organisation and their alignment with intervention characteristics (low complexity, cost advantage); and Store Manager characteristics) can inform the design of implementation strategies for the adoption of this health-enabling food retail initiative in the remote setting. This research can help inform a shift in research focus to identify, develop and test implementation strategies for the wide adoption of health-enabling food retail initiatives into practice.Trial Registration.Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN 12,618,001,588,280.

A randomized trial to evaluate the impact of Singapore’s forthcoming Nutri-grade front-of-pack beverage label on food and beverage purchases

BackgroundThe epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is a growing concern worldwide and Singapore is no exception to this global trend. As part of measures to address this concern, the Singapore government will implement a mandatory color-coded front-of-package (FOP) nutrition label for beverages, called Nutri-Grade (NG), which will complement the existing FOP label, Healthier Choice Symbol (HCS) logos, currently displayed on select food and beverage items. NG grades beverages on a four-point scale, A (healthiest) to D (least healthy), in terms of sugar and saturated fat levels. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the NG label on nutritional quality of pre-packaged beverages using a fully functional online grocery store.MethodsWe conducted a 2-arm crossover trial involving actual purchases with 138 participants randomly exposed to: 1) Control with HCS logos displayed on qualifying items; 2) Similar to Control except that all beverages displayed the NG label. The effects of the NG label were estimated using a linear mixed-effects model that addresses correlations between repeated measures and accommodates missing data.ResultsWe found that the NG label encouraged consumers to choose beverages with higher ratings. This led to a reduction in sugar from beverages purchased by 1.51 g [95% CI: − 2.68, − 0.34] per serving but was not effective at reducing saturated fat purchased (− 0.009 g [95% CI: − 0.22, 0.20]) per serving or improvements in overall diet quality, measured by the weighted (by the number of servings) average Nutri-Score value ranging from 1 to 5 (− 0.024 [95% CI: − 0.13, 0.08]).ConclusionsResults suggest that the Nutri-Grade label is likely to reduce sugar purchased from beverages. However, to improve overall diet quality in Singapore, additional measures will be needed.Trial registrationThis trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov under the identifier: NCT05018026 on 24th August 2021.

Postharvest Ozone Fumigation of Grapes (cv Sangiovese) Differently Affects Volatile Organic Compounds and Polyphenol Profiles of Berries and Wine

Consumers are more and more oriented towards the purchase of safer food and beverages, which is pushing the wine sector to find alternatives to the use of sulfur dioxide. Ozone (O3) is already applied in the wine industry to produce sulfur dioxide-free wines through the patented method Purovino®. The aim of this two-year study was that of evaluating whether the postharvest treatment of grapes with ozone affects volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polyphenol profile in berries, and in turn, wine composition. Grape bunches (Vitis vinifera L.) of cv Sangiovese were fumigated overnight with gaseous ozone (max 20 g·h−1 with 6% w.w−1 of ozone) in a cold room at 4°C (±0.5). After treatment, grapes were processed into wine. In grapes, ozone treatments increased total polyphenol and flavonoid content and upregulated specific genes (phenylalanine ammonia lyase, VvPAL, flavanol synthase 1, and VvFLS1) involved in polyphenol biosynthesis. Wine obtained from ozone-treated grapes had higher flavanol content than the control. Fumigation only slightly affected the different VOC classes of grapes and wine, including aroma compounds derived from the lipoxygenase (LOX) pathway. Although a season-dependent effect was observed, results showed that postharvest ozone treatments applied to avoid the use of sulfur dioxide introduced limited but, in general, positive modifications to grape and wine composition. This information provides assurance to winemakers that the maintenance of wine quality and typicity will be guaranteed when using ozone treatments.

Spatial distribution and characterization of consumers of E-grocery services in sicily

The present research aims to provide new insights into e-commerce patterns. The study investigates the correlations between variables related to demographics, residence and online food and beverage purchasing habits. Data was acquired through the administration of an online questionnaire in 2022. The results helped identify the location of the city most affected by the analyzed phenomenon. The novelty of the research focused on the analyzed area of island type characterized by the strong food and wine traditions and the need to want to analyze what possible effects the growth in demand for e-grocery may have on certain parts of the city. The results laid the foundations for more profound studies on demand for e-grocery relative to an island context. Moreover, the findings make it possible to investigate in subsequent steps different types of correlations between socio-demographic and spatial variables connected to the dislocation of homes and the main poles of attraction for the purchase of physical and virtual food and drink markets.

Sweetener Purchases in Chile before and after Implementing a Policy for Food Labeling, Marketing, and Sales in Schools

BackgroundChile’s landmark food labeling and advertising policy led to major reductions in sugar purchases. However, it is unclear whether this led to increases in the purchases of nonnutritive sweeteners (NNS). ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to assess the changes in NNS and caloric-sweetened (CS) products purchased after the law’s first phase. MethodsLongitudinal data on food and beverage purchases from 2,381 households collected from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017, were linked to nutritional information and categorized into added sweetener groups (unsweetened, NNS-only, CS-only, or NNS with CS). Logistic random-effects models and fixed-effects models were used to compare the percentage of households purchasing products and the mean volume purchased by sweetener category to a counterfactual based on pre-regulation trends. ResultsCompared with the counterfactual, the percentage of households purchasing any NNS beverages (NNS-only or NNS with CS) increased by 4.2 percentage points (pp) (95% CI: 2.8, 5.7; P < 0.01). This increase was driven by households purchasing NNS-only beverages (12.1 pp, 95% CI: 10.0, 14.2; P < 0.01). The purchased volume of beverages with any NNS increased by 25.4 mL/person/d (95% CI: 20.1, 30.7; P < 0.01) or 26.5%. Relative to the counterfactual, there were declines of -5.9 pp in households purchasing CS-only beverages (95% CI: −7.0, −4.7; P < 0.01). Regarding the types of sweeteners purchased, we found significant increases in the amounts of sucralose, aspartame, acesulfame K, and steviol glycosides purchased from beverages. Among foods, differences were minimal. ConclusionsThe first phase of Chile’s law was associated with an increase in the purchases of beverages containing NNS and decreases in beverages containing CS, but virtually no changes in foods.

Sugar-sweetened beverage purchases in urban Peru before the implementation of taxation and warning label policies: a baseline study

BackgroundSugar-sweetened beverage consumption is associated with obesity and chronic disease. In 2018, Peru increased the tax on high-sugar beverages (≥6 g of sugar per 100 mL) from 17 to 25%, yet little is known about pre-existing beverage trends or demographic characteristics associated with purchases in the country. The aim of this study was to explore beverage purchasing trends from 2016 to 2017 and examine variation in purchase volume by sociodemographic characteristics among urban households in Peru.MethodsThis study used monthly household purchase data from a panel of 5145 households from January 2016–December 2017 from Kantar WorldPanel Peru. Beverage purchases were categorized by type and tax status under the 2018 regulation (untaxed, lower-sugar taxed, high-sugar taxed). To assess beverage purchasing trends, per-capita volume purchases were regressed on a linear time trend, with month dummies for seasonality and clustered standard errors. Mean volume purchases by beverage tax status (total liters purchased per month), overall and by key demographic characteristics (education, socioeconomic status, and geographic region), were calculated. Mean volume by beverage type was assessed to identify the largest contributors to total beverage volume.ResultsThe trends analysis showed a decline in total beverage volume of − 52 mL/capita/month (95% CI: − 72, − 32) during the 24-month study period. Over 99% of households purchased untaxed beverages in a month, while > 92% purchased high-sugar taxed beverages. Less than half of all households purchased low-sugar taxed beverages in a month and purchase volume was low (0.3 L/capita/month). Untaxed beverage purchases averaged 9.4 L/capita/month, while households purchased 2.8 L/capita/month of high-sugar taxed beverages in 2017. Across tax categories, volume purchases were largest in the high education and high socioeconomic (SES) groups, with substantial variation by geographic region. The highest volume taxed beverage was soda (2.3 L/capita/month), while the highest volume untaxed beverages were milk and bottled water (1.9 and 1.7 L/capita/month, respectively).ConclusionsNearly all households purchased high-sugar taxed beverages, although volume purchases of taxed and untaxed beverages declined slightly from 2016 to 2017. Households with high SES and high education purchased the highest volume of taxed beverages, highlighting the need to consider possible differential impacts of the tax policy change by sub-population groups.