Food Labeling Regulations Research Articles

Perceptions of dietitians and key role players regarding their role in reporting food labelling transgressions in South Africa

Objectives: A study was undertaken to describe South African dietitians and key role players’ perceptions regarding their role in reporting food labelling legislation transgressions. Design: A multimethod study design was employed to explore a previously unstudied topic. Setting: Dietitians registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) together with key role players in food labelling in South Africa. Methods: Quantitative data were collected using a self-administered electronic questionnaire and qualitative data using a semi-structured interview guide. Quantitative data were analysed using Microsoft Excel and qualitative data using ATLAS.ti software. Data were analysed independently in the results section but integrated for interpretation of the findings. Results: In total, only 6% (n = 7) of the included dietitians (n = 126) reported food labelling transgressions, and 12% (n = 15) believed dietitians have a role to play in reporting transgressions. Interestingly, half of the included dietitians (50%, n = 63) stated they would report an identified transgression. Dietitians demonstrated a lack of awareness of the current food labelling regulations, with 43% wrongly identifying the draft regulation to consult. Almost all (99%, n = 125) of the included dietitians reported that their transgression reporting practices would improve if a clear guideline from the Department of Health: Directorate Food Control (DoH DFC) was available. Key role players (n = 8) cited enforcement issues and a perceived gap in dietitians’ understanding of legislation and reporting processes as barriers to reporting non-compliance. Key role players identified enablers such as awareness of regulations, contacts within the DoH DFC and familiarity with the reporting process for transgressions. They also provided insight on the proper procedure for reporting food labelling transgressions. Conclusion: The low prevalence of food labelling transgression reporting by dietitians stems from several barriers, including a perceived lack of confidence regarding the current regulation, awareness of the applicable legislation, uncertainty regarding the correct reporting procedure and scepticism that transgression reports will be acted upon. Regular communication regarding food and nutrition regulations and the development of an easy-to-use transgression reporting framework could support the implementation and impact of food labelling regulations in South Africa.

Influence of different amino acid scoring patterns on the protein quality of field peas

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is a nutritious pulse crop and a significant plant-based protein source. Its amino acid composition and protein digestibility influence its nutritional quality. Although different guidelines for protein content claims exist in North America, recommended patterns by FAO/WHO can estimate protein quality for dietary assessment. This study’s primary objective is to examine how adopting the new FAO/WHO recommendations affects the protein quality and protein content claims of field peas, using in vitro methods, and to assess the potential impact on consumer food choices. This work evaluated the amino acid score (AAS) and in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) to assess pea protein quality. The effect of different amino acid scoring patterns recommended by FAO/WHO (1991, 2013) on AAS was estimated. The in vitro–protein digestibility corrected amino acid score (IV–PDCAAS) and in vitro–digestible indispensable amino acid score (IV–DIAAS) were calculated. Overall, pea protein quality varies with different amino acid scoring patterns. Sulfur amino acids (SAA) were the first-limiting amino acid. The IVPD was 80.6 to 88.6%, the mean IV–PDCAAS was 73.0%, and IV–DIAAS was up to 87.6%. Using the PDCAAS interpretation, all IV–PDCAAS samples qualified for a “good source of protein” claim. For DIAAS interpretation, some IV–DIAAS samples did not meet this claim due to the arbitrary cut-off of 75%. Therefore, the criteria for making protein content claims on food proteins should be reevaluated. This study highlighted significant variations in amino acid nutritional requirements across different life stages, impacting the protein quality assessment of field peas and, consequently, protein content claims, with implications for dietary guidelines and food labeling regulations.

Restructured beef steaks with inclusion of digestion-resistant maltodextrin: Techno-functional characteristics, nutritional value, sensory quality, and storage stability

This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of digestion-resistant maltodextrin (DRM) inclusion, as a mean for functional dietary fiber-enrichment, on the quality and stability of precooked restructured beef steaks. The restructured steaks were prepared from ground beef by cold gelation, with alginate as binding agent, using three inclusion levels of DRM: 0 % (control), 4 % and 8 %. The products were cooked on heating plates at 180 °C until 71 °C internal temperature, vacuum-packed, stored at 4 °C, and their quality was monitored during 35 days. The inclusion of DRM resulted in improved cooking yields (76.93 ± 2.06 %, P < 0.05) and slower rates of lipid (0.47 ± 0.01 TVBN, P < 0.05) and protein degradation (1.64 ± 0.01 TBARS, P < 0.05). This fiber source did not affect the water and fat holding capacities, tenderness, microbiological quality, nor sensory acceptance of the meat products (P > 0.05); however, it influenced their color evaluated by tristimulus colorimetry (P < 0.05). The nutritional composition of the restructured steaks, including the dietary fiber content, was consistent with the level of proportional inclusion of MDR in the formulations, allowing to significantly (P < 0.01) increase their contribution to daily reference values to approximately 14 % and 27 %. According to international food labeling regulations, the products at their standard serving sizes can be classified either as good (4 % of included DRM) or superior (8 % of included DRM) sources of dietary fiber.

Olive Oil Polyphenols Improve HDL Cholesterol and Promote Maintenance of Lipid Metabolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

In 2011, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) accorded a health claim to olive oil polyphenols in that they protected LDL particles from oxidative damage. However, limited scientific evidence has so far failed to confer any claim of function on the maintenance of normal lipid metabolism. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of human RCTs, evaluating the effect of olive oil polyphenol administration on lipid profiles. Previous literature was acquired from six electronic databases until June 2023. A total of 75 articles were retrieved and screened for inclusion criteria, which resulted in the selection of 10 RCTs that evaluated the effect of daily exposure to olive oil polyphenols on serum lipids in adults. Meta-analyses were built by tertiles of outcomes, as follows: low (0-68 mg/kg), medium (68-320 mg/kg), and high (320-600 mg/kg) polyphenols for HDL and LDL cholesterol (HDL-C and LDL-C, respectively), and low (0-59.3 mg/kg), medium (59.3-268 mg/kg), and high (268-600 mg/kg) polyphenols for total cholesterol (TC). The study protocol was registered on PROSPERO (registration code: CRD42023403383). The study design was predominantly cross-over (n = 8 of 10) but also included parallel (n = 2 of 10). The study population was predominantly European and healthy. Daily consumption of olive oil polyphenols did not affect TC levels and only slightly significantly reduced LDL-C, with WMD statistically significant only for high daily consumption of olive oil polyphenols (WMD -4.28, 95%CI -5.78 to -2.77). Instead, our data found a statistically significant HDL-C enhancing effect (WMD pooled effect model: 1.13, 95%CI 0.45; 1.80, heterogeneity 38%, p = 0.04) with WMD by daily exposure level showing a statistically significant improvement effect for low (WMD 0.66, 95%CI 0.10-1.23), medium (WMD 1.36, 95%CI 0.76-1.95), and high (WMD 1.13, 95%CI 0.45-1.80) olive oil polyphenol consumptions. Olive oil polyphenols contribute toward maintaining lipid metabolism. Thus, food labeling regulations should stress this health feature of olive oil, whereby a declaration of the olive oil polyphenol content should be added to products on the market. Consumers need to be aware of the quality and possible health effects of any products they consume, and enforcement of nutrition labels offers the best way of providing this information.

How Do Consumers Living in European Capital Cities Perceive Foods with Sustainability Certificates?

Certification aims at ensuring food quality and safety, as well as confirming other beneficial credence attributes, such as local origin and sustainability. In order to explore the visibility and credibility of such certification labels functioning in the European Union, a study was conducted among residents of two EU Member States, Poland and Belgium. Face-to-face questionnaire-based interviews and focus group interviews were conducted among 701 adults living in Warsaw and Brussels-the capital cities of these countries. Almost 44% of Belgian respondents and 33% of Polish respondents considered certified foods as being of better quality compared to unlabeled products. Focus group interviews demonstrated that Belgian consumers had more extensive knowledge and a higher level of trust in certified foods compared to Warsaw inhabitants. Our findings suggest that certificates are moderately important factors of food choice due to the wide variety of certificates, leading to consumer confusion, a lack of label uniformity, greenwashing, limited visibility and availability at points of sale, consumer price sensitivity and the prioritization of other factors. These constraints can be alleviated by introducing food labeling standards and regulations. Increasing consumer awareness and the availability and affordability of certified foods can also boost the demand for sustainable products in the region.

Current food labelling practices in online supermarkets in Australia

BackgroundFood product labelling can support consumer decision-making. Several food product labels (nutrition information panels (NIPs), ingredients lists, allergen declarations and country-of-origin) are mandated for physical product packaging in Australia, with a voluntary front-of-pack nutrition labelling system, Health Star Ratings (HSRs), also available. However, labelling requirements are not explicitly extended to online settings and the extent to which this information is available in these increasingly important food environments has not been assessed.MethodsData from all individual food product pages was collected from the online stores of the two dominant supermarket retailers in Australia using automated web scraping in April–May 2022 (n = 22,077 products collected). We assessed the proportion of pages displaying NIPs, ingredients, allergens, country-of-origin and HSRs after excluding products ineligible to display the respective label. We also assessed whether HSRs were differentially available for higher- (healthier) and lower-scoring (less healthy) products, with HSR scores drawn from a comprehensive Australian food composition database, FoodSwitch. A manual inspection of randomly selected product pages (n = 100 for each label type per supermarket), drawn from products displaying the relevant label, was conducted to assess whether the labels were immediately visible to users (i.e. without scrolling or clicking). Differences in labelling prevalence and visibility were compared using chi-squared tests.ResultsAcross both supermarkets, country-of-origin labelling was almost complete (displayed on 93% of food product pages), but NIPs (49%), ingredients (34%) and allergens (53%) were less frequently displayed. HSRs were infrequently displayed (14% across both supermarkets) and more likely to be applied to higher-scoring products (22% on products with ≥ 3.5HSR v 0.4% on products with < 3.5HSR, p < 0.001). One supermarket was far more likely to make NIPs (100% v 2%, p < 0.001), ingredients (100% v 19%, p < 0.001) and allergens (97% v 0%, p < 0.001) information immediately visible, though the other made HSRs more apparent (22% v 75%, p < 0.001). Both supermarkets displayed country-of-origin labels prominently (100% v 86%, p < 0.001).ConclusionsFood product labelling varies in online supermarkets in Australia overall and between supermarkets, while the design of online stores resulted in differences in labelling visibility. The near-complete display of country-of-origin labels and differential application of HSRs to higher-scoring products may reflect their use as marketing tools. Our findings highlight an urgent need for food labelling regulations to be updated to better account for online retail food environments.

Rethinking precautionary allergen labelling – Threshold doses, risk assessment approaches and analytical implications

AbstractFood allergies became a major public health and food safety interest in the past decades as their prevalence is increasing, and their only available treatment is a strict elimination diet that necessitates appropriate food labelling regulations. While such regulations are available worldwide, most of them are not taking into account inadvertent allergen cross-contamination and they usually do not define threshold doses that could support the industry in their endeavour to provide reliable food labels for allergic consumers. This resulted in the proliferation of the “may contain” type precautionary allergen labelling (PAL), which is voluntary and is intended to warn consumers for potential unintended contamination with an otherwise undeclared allergen. As this kind of labelling is hardly ever based on actual risk assessment, it puts both the industry and the consumer into a difficult position. A promising tool towards the solution of this problem could be allergen threshold doses based on clinical data, which are becoming increasingly available. This review intends to present this process, the new ways of improved risk assessment it opens, and its implications for food analysis.

Public support for obesity prevention policies in Western Australia from 2012 to 2020: Findings from cross-sectional surveys.

This study explored trends in public support for obesity prevention policies in Western Australia (WA). A series of cross-sectional surveys of a representative sample of WA adults aged 25-49 years (N = 11 534) were undertaken between 2012 and 2020 as part of an evaluation of the LiveLighter® mass media campaign, a component of a statewide healthy lifestyle education and promotion programme. Computer-assisted telephone interviews were used to gauge support for a range of obesity prevention initiatives that could be implemented by government. A majority of respondents supported a range of obesity prevention policies, including taxes on sugary drinks, urban planning regulations, food labelling and packaging regulations, restrictions on advertising and sponsorship, bans on the sale and marketing of unhealthy food and drink in retail environments and support for education and campaigns. Obesity prevention policies were highly supported by women, people with a healthy weight, and those who had completed secondary school. Support for regulation was high compared to other studies. Notably, there were significant increases in support between baseline and 2020 for 'taxing soft drinks and using the money to reduce the cost of healthy food' (72% cf. 80%) and 'restricting junk food promotions/advertisements on public transport' (73% cf. 83%). There is substantial public support for regulatory action on obesity prevention in WA, providing strong rationale for government interventions to improve nutrition and reduce obesity. The LiveLighter® programme may have contributed to increases in support for obesity prevention policies in WA. SO WHAT?: There is potential to implement robust obesity prevention policies in WA.

Awareness on and Compliance with the Food Act in Sri Lanka: An Analysis of the Present Status&amp;nbsp;

Purpose: In Sri Lanka, legislative regulation of food safety and hygiene issues is mainly done under the Food Act No. 26 of 1980. Proper awareness and compliance to the Food Act are necessary for food safety. This cross-sectional analysis was done to assess the present status of awareness and compliance with the prohibitions and regulations of the Food Act by stakeholders.Research Method: Litigations done by Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) from 7 districts and data from a field survey of 30 PHIs (from same districts), 50 traders and 70 consumers (from 5 districts) were collected. Findings: According to the litigations analyzed, “Food (labeling and advertising) regulation” was the highest violated regulation in Sri Lanka (p&lt;0.05). However, “Food (Packaging materials and articles) regulation” had significantly higher ranking (p&lt;0.05) according to the PHIs’ survey. According to the traders’ ranking, their highest and least compliance (p&lt;0.05) were on “Packaging materials and articles” and “Bread standards” regulations respectively. Consumers’ highest and least awareness were on “Coloring agents” and “Flavoring agents” respectively and their highest and least compliances (p&lt;0.05) were on “Adoption for standards” regulation and “Labeling and advertising” regulation respectively. Originality/Value: This study gives an overall idea about the current awareness and compliance of the stakeholders on Food Act. It is vital for future policy development.

ZNAKOWANIE ŻYWNOŚCI JAKO FORMA ADMINISTRACYJNOPRAWNEJ OCHRONY KONSUMENTA

This article discusses the role of administrative norms in food labelling regulations with regard to consumers’ protection. Administrative regulations play a significant role in the entire food law system, particularly in the pursuit of its general objectives related to consumers’ well-being. Food labelling is one of the instruments applied to ensure consumers’ protection but it needs to be assisted by a legal apparatus enabling efficient control over the observance of the provisions and imposing sanctions for non-compliance. Not only is food label a basic channel of communication used by producers in order to provide consumers with information about products, but it also has a tremendous impact on consumers’ food choices. Information shared on labels ought to be readable and understandable for the purpose of facilitating conscious food decision making. Nonetheless, despite the institutional support, consumers are still considered to be the weaker party on the food market, therefore food labelling regulations should be compliant with their awareness and habits.

Determination of Gluten Contamination in Foods Available on the Turkish Market via Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)

Wheat, along with maize and rice, is one of the “big 3” cereal crops, and although it is a major component of many food products, it is one of the top eight food allergens listed by the Codex Alimentarius. The wheat protein gluten is responsible for several diseases including wheat allergy (WA), gluten sensitivity (GS), and celiac disease (CD). The presence of a “gluten free” label on food products specially produced for these patients facilitates the selection of safe products. To enforce food labeling regulations and quantitatively assess the potential degree of gluten contamination in gluten-free foods, standardized analytical methodologies are required. In recent years, multiple techniques for detecting gluten utilizing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), lateral flow devices/dipsticks, polymerase chain reaction, and mass spectrometry have been developed. In this study, the R-Biopharm Ridascreen® Gliadin Kit, a commercial ELISA kit, was used to assess the degree of gluten contamination, if any, in naturally gluten-free foods and foods labeled “gluten free” obtained from Izmir Province and its surroundings. In total, 71 samples (45 naturally gluten-free food samples, and 26 processed food samples labeled “gluten free”) were investigated for gluten contamination. Gluten extraction was performed with cocktail solution (patented, R-Biopharm), and contamination was analyzed quantitatively using the ELISA method based on the antigen–antibody relationship with the R-Biopharm Ridascreen® Gliadin Kit. In total, 94.37% of the samples were found to be gluten-free, 4.23% were found to be low in gluten, and 1.40% were found to be beyond the limit. In conclusion, gluten-free product manufacturers should implement comprehensive measures in the production stage to eliminate contamination risks, and individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should be vigilant when reading labels and inquiring about food preparation to manage symptoms and maintain good health.

DNA sequencing for salmon filet certification

Salmon is a popular fish with high nutritional and economic value due to its delicious and tender pink flesh rich in omega-3. However, there is a problem with mislabeling other types of fish as salmon in the market, which is misleading for consumers. A study used molecular methods to identify fish species sold as salmon in commercial centers and found that out of the 35 samples analyzed, 33 were indeed salmon, but two were trout. The study highlights the need for strict enforcement of food trade and labeling regulations.

Compliance Level to Food Labelling Regulation for Micro and Small-sized Enterprises Products: A Descriptive Study in Wonosobo District, Indonesia

Food labelling is an effective tool in protecting consumer health with respect to safety and nutrition. Complying with labelling regulations is essential in preventing product recalls. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the extent of adherence to food labelling regulations by micro and small-sized enterprises (MSEs) in Wonosobo District, in accordance to the existing guidelines. Primary data were collected through a market survey approach, with analysis conducted through purposive sampling in shops, stalls, home industries, markets, and supermarkets. Content analysis was employed to evaluate four categories of processed food: flour/starch-based products, water-based flavored drinks, processed fruit products, and processed grain, nut, and tuber products, totaling 92 products. The compliance level with labelling regulations was evaluated based on the principal display panel, labelling formats, general labelling requirements, and prohibited statements on the label. The results revealed that the compliance level of labelling flour/starch-based products was good, with an average of 75%. In contrast, the average compliance level for water-based flavored drink products was 58%, while the average compliance levels for processed fruit products and processed grain, nut, and tuber products were 54 and 59%, respectively, indicating a lower level of compliance compared to flour/starch-based products.

From production to impacts on health and the environment: an analysis of food systems in Brazil, Colombia and Panama

The scope of this article is to describe the main components of the food systems of Brazil, Colombia and Panama. It involved a narrative review of the literature from 2000 to 2022, based on the concept of food systems proposed by the Committee on World Food Security. A system of agro-industrial production, monoculture, use of pesticides and exploitation of natural resources predominates in all three countries, and the area occupied by family farmers is reduced. Multinational supermarket chains dominate food distribution, essentially in large urban centers, despite the increasing search for alternative models. Advances have been made in food labeling regulation (Colombia and Brazil) and in the taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages (Panama). The predominant food systems in these countries generate a significant and negative environmental impact, favor the consumption of ultra-processed foods, high prevalence of obesity and chronic non-transmissible diseases and increase in hunger, violating the human right to adequate food.

Food and nutrition labelling as a nutrition education tool: understanding, perspectives and practices of South African dietitians.

Introduction: Food and nutrition labelling is an effective tool to address diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs), in which nutrition education plays an integral role. Objectives: To investigate South African dietitians’ understanding, perspectives and practices of food and nutrition labelling as a nutrition education tool. Design: A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Setting: A nationwide survey was undertaken of dietitians from all sectors of practice. Subjects: Dietitians registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) (n = 137). Outcome measures: A self-administered electronic survey was used for data collection. Results: Awareness of labelling regulations was high (86.9%); however, confidence in knowledge of regulations was lacking (53.3%), as well as knowledge regarding food-labelling regulations (R146) (52.6%). More than half (57.7%) regarded labels as relevant to their daily work and 51.8% used labels frequently, varying use depending on client needs. For education purposes, the nutrition information table (75.2%), client-specific nutrients (70.0%) and health endorsement logos (HELs) (59.2%) were most frequently used. Product healthiness was mainly evaluated using the cooking method (86.1%), level of processing (67.9%) and product category (63.5%). Least used aspects were origin/certification claims (39.4%) and animal husbandry (34.3%). Highly rated aspects included belief in label efficacy (88.3%), accuracy (81.8%), a positive attitude (87.6%) and relevance (80.2%). Conclusion: To promote optimal use of labelling as a nutrition education tool, standardisation, trustworthiness and continuing education should be addressed. Furthermore, the urgent promulgation of the draft food labelling regulations will address existing barriers to label use.

Motivations and strategies underlying the adoption of the front-of-pack labelling scheme Nutri-Score

Abstract Front-of-pack nutrition labellings (FoPL) have gained traction in the European Union as tools to tackle the burden of nutrition-related chronic diseases. Multiple FoPL have been implemented by both governments and private actors. Under the European food labelling regulation, any FoPL is optional to display, although the legal framework is being revised for a harmonized FoPL to emerge. Since the implementation of the Nutri-Score in France in 2017, little data is available to understand the motivations and strategies underlying the adoption of the FoPL from a food business’ perspective. A cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2021 on food businesses having adopted the Nutri-Score in France through an online questionnaire. In total, 121 businesses completed the questionnaire, representing 32% of companies adopting the scheme and covering a variety of company types. Engaged businesses had a rather healthier portfolio of products according to the Nutri-Score (on average, 69% of engaged products were A or B and 12% were D or E), with disparities between retailers and national brands. Businesses mostly reported their engagement was motivated by a will to be transparent (76%) and to simplify nutritional information (67%) but still 19% reported that they engaged following external pressures. External pressures were more likely to play a role in the engagement if the company engaged in 2020 compared to those engaged before 2018 (P = 0.032), if the company was larger (P = 0.044) and if the scope of engagement included D or E products (poorer nutritional quality) (P = 0.033). Our study showed that the Nutri-Score, as an optional measure, is mainly used by businesses, especially national brands, as a tool to promote rather healthier products, while companies with products of lower nutritional quality are more likely to engage following external pressure. This highlights the relevance of enforcing a mandatory FoPL system, in line with the Farm to Fork strategy. Key messages

Use of the term whole grain on the label of processed and ultra-processed foods based on cereals and pseudocereals in Brazil

There has been an increasing consumption of processed and ultra-processed foods, accompanied by growing concerns about the relationship between diet quality and health. Whole-grain foods, composed of cereals and pseudocereals, are recommended as part of a healthy diet, and food labeling is an important tool for consumers to identify the presence of whole grains in packaged foods. This study aimed to analyze the use of the term whole grain on the label of processed and ultra-processed foods based on cereals and pseudocereals (amaranth, quinoa, and buckwheat) in Brazil. Data were collected by a census of all food labels in a Brazilian supermarket. Foods were classified into eight groups according to Brazilian legislation and according to the presence or absence of the term whole grain. The prevalence of foods displaying the term whole grain or related expressions on the front label was assessed, and differences between groups were analyzed using Pearson's chi-squared test. Comparisons were also made in relation to the position of whole-grain ingredients in the ingredients list, given that Brazilian food labeling regulations require that ingredients be listed in descending order of weight on packaged foods. The level of significance was defined as p < 0.05. The sample included 1,004 processed and ultra-processed foods based on cereals and pseudocereals, 156 (15.6%) of which displayed the term whole grain and/or similar expressions on the front label. Of these, 98 (9.8%) contained the term whole grain, 25 (2.5%) displayed analogous expressions, and 33 (3.3%) contained the term whole grain concomitantly with analogous terms, identified in foods of the groups Bakery goods, bread, cereals, and related products and Sugars, sugary foods, and snacks. Half of the food products displaying the term whole grain or related expressions on the front label did not have a whole-grain ingredient listed in the first position of the ingredients list. The frequency of whole grains was even lower when analyzing the second and third ingredients. These findings reveal the existence of inaccurate information regarding the term whole grain or analogous expressions on the front label of cereal- and pseudocereal-based packaged foods. It is expected that these results will contribute to stimulating the food industry and regulatory bodies to improve the use of the term whole grain and related expressions on packaged food labels, given that, up to the moment of data collection, there were no regulatory requirements for these statements. Furthermore, the findings might contribute to improving the clarity of information available on food labels, thereby preventing consumer deception at the time of purchase.

Identifying Food Labeling Effects on Consumer Behavior

The paper examines a large-scale mandatory food labeling regulation to identify its effects on consumer behavior.

Confusion or fraud? Labeling of Stevia Sweeteners

Fraudulent labeling is an emerging problem in the food industry worldwide. Many Stevia sweeteners are marketed in Paraguay, and their labels can be confusing. For this reason, 21 packs of sweetener products were analyzed regarding their degree of compliance with the labeling regulations in force in the country. All of the analyzed containers complied with the MERCOSUR regulations on food labeling, and 95.2% complied with MERCOSUR regulations on nutritional labeling. Over half of the containers did not comply with the local regulation for the naming of Stevia products. This is the first study on possible fraudulent labeling carried out in Paraguay, and it highlights the need to monitor compliance of food labeling regulations in the country.

Availability, healthiness, and price of packaged and unpackaged foods in India: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Vulnerable populations are the most prone to diet-related disease. The availability, healthiness, and price of foods have established associations with diet-related disease in communities. However, data describing this in India are sparse, particularly in urban slums and rural areas. Aim: To quantify and compare availability, healthiness, and price of packaged and unpackaged foods and beverages in India, and to identify opportunities to improve diets and health of vulnerable populations. Methods: Nutrition data and price were collected on foods and beverages available at 44 stores in urban, urban slum, and rural areas in four states in India between May and August 2018. Healthiness was assessed using the Australasian Health Star Rating system and product retail prices were examined. Comparisons in the findings were made across state, community area type, and adherence to current and draft Indian food labeling regulations. Results: Packaged foods and beverages (n = 1443, 89%) were more prevalent than unpackaged (n = 172, 11%). Unpackaged products were healthier than packaged (mean Health Star Rating = 3.5 vs 2.0; p < 0.001) and lower in price (median price per 100 g/ml: 13.42 Indian rupees vs 25.70 Indian rupees; p < 0.001), a pattern observed across most community area types and states. 96% of packaged products were compliant with current Indian labeling regulations but only 23% were compliant with proposed labeling regulations. Conclusions: Unpackaged products were on average much healthier and lower in price than packaged foods and beverages. Food policies that support greater availability, accessibility and consumption of unpackaged foods, while limiting consumption of packaged foods, have enormous potential for sustaining the health of the Indian population.