ABSTRACT
Resumen: Objetivo: Evaluar la comprensión objetiva de cinco tipos de etiquetados frontales de paquetes (EFP) (Sistema de Clasificación de Estrellas de Salud, Semáforo Múltiple, Nutri-Score, Ingestas de Referencia y Símbolo de Advertencia) en México. Material y métodos: Se reclutaron 1 001 consumidores mexicanos para clasificar tres productos de tres categorías de alimentos sin EFP, según su calidad nutricional. Se les asignó al azar uno de los cinco EFP para clasificar los mismos productos, esta vez con un EFP en el empaque. El cambio en la capacidad para clasificar correctamente los productos en las dos tareas fue evaluado por EFP, utilizando un modelo de regresión logística ordinal. Resultados: Nutri-Score y Semáforo Múltiple obtuvieron un mejor desempeño, seguidos del Símbolo de Advertencia, Sistema de Clasificación de Estrellas de Salud e Ingestas de Referencia. Conclusión: Nutri-Score y el Semáforo Múltiple surgen como esquemas eficientes para informar a los consumidores sobre la calidad nutricional de los alimentos en México, donde podrían ser una herramienta útil para los consumidores en situación de compra.
Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to compare consumers' objective understanding of five FoPLs [Health Star Rating system (HSR), Multiple Traffic Lights (MTL), Nutri-Score, Reference Intakes (RIs), Warning Symbol] in Mexico. Materials and methods: 1 001 Mexican consumers were recruited and asked to rank three sets of label-free products according to their nutritional quality, via a survey. Upon completion of this task, participants were randomized to one of five FoPL conditions and were again asked to rank the same sets of products, this time with a FoPL displayed on pack. Change in ability to correctly rank products across the two tasks was assessed by FoPL using ordinal logistic regression. Results: Nutri-Score and MTL performed best, followed Warning Symbol, HSR and RIs. Conclusion: Nutri-Score and MTL appear as efficient schemes to inform consumers on the nutritional quality of foods, in particular in Mexico, where it would be a helpful tool for consumers in purchasing situations.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Consumer Behavior , Food Labeling/methods , Nutritive Value , Socioeconomic Factors , Random Allocation , Logistic Models , Food/classification , Food Labeling/classification , Mexico , Nutritional RequirementsSubject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Child, Preschool , Child , Adolescent , Adult , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Food Labeling/methods , Food-Processing Industry/standards , EcuadorABSTRACT
RESUMEN Objetivos. Analizar los conocimientos, comprensión, actitudes y prácticas relacionadas al semáforo nutricional (SN) en envases de alimentos procesados en el Ecuador. Materiales y métodos. Se realizaron 21 discusiones de grupos focales, en poblaciones de diverso tamaño de las regiones de costa, sierra y oriente. Se condujeron nueve entrevistas a informantes claves (IC) con representantes de empresas grandes, medianas y pequeñas que producían o comercializaban productos procesados. Resultados. Fueron 171 participantes de GF; en su mayoría reconocían y comprendían el SN. Hubo cierta disociación entre los conocimientos del SN y la actitud de compra, pues también se consideraba otros factores como el sabor, la marca o la accesibilidad. Las actitudes fueron diferentes entre grupos etarios: mientras que el grupo de 5 a 9 años conocía poco sobre el SN y prefería alimentos caseros, el grupo de 15 a 19 años era indiferente a la información del SN y daba más valor a otras características como el gusto. Las prácticas relacionadas a la compra y el consumo de alimentos procesados revelaron, siete estrategias diferentes que iban del reemplazo del producto a ignorar la información del SN. Los IC no concordaban con la política, pero reconocían haber modificado el contenido de algunos productos para reducir las concentraciones de grasa, azúcar y sal. Conclusiones. El SN ha tenido un efecto positivo en el conocimiento y comprensión del contenido de los productos procesados. Las prácticas relacionadas a la compra y consumo de alimentos procesados mejorarían a través de la promoción de la política del etiquetado nutricional, control de la comercialización, y el monitoreo y la vigilancia de su implementación.
ABSTRACT Objectives. To analyze awareness, understanding, attitudes, and practices related to the nutritional traffic light system (NTLS) on processed food packaging in Ecuador. Materials and methods. 21 discussions were held in focus groups (FG) in populations of various sizes in the coastal, mountainous, and eastern regions. Nine interviews were conducted with key informants (KI) representing large, medium, and small enterprises producing or selling processed foods. Results. There were 171 FG participants, the majority of whom recognized and understood the NTLS. There was a certain amount of discussion around awareness of the NTLS and purchasing attitudes, and other factors such as taste, brand, or accessibility were considered. Attitudes were different between age groups: while the group of five- to nine-year-olds knew little about the NTLS and preferred homemade foods, the group of 15- to 19-year-olds was indifferent to the NTLS information and placed more value on other features, such as taste. Practices related to the purchase and consumption of processed foods highlighted seven different strategies that ranged from replacing the product to ignoring the NTLS information. The KIs did not agree with the policy, but they acknowledged having amended the content of some products to reduce fat, sugar, and salt. Conclusions. The NTLS has had a positive effect on awareness and understanding of the content of processed products. Practices related to purchasing and consuming processed foods would be improved by promotion of the nutritional labeling policy, trade control, and the monitoring and surveillance of its implementation.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Child, Preschool , Child , Adolescent , Adult , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Food Labeling/methods , Food-Processing Industry/standards , EcuadorABSTRACT
OBJETIVO: Apresentar uma adaptação do Traffic Light Labelling, ou "Semáforo Nutricional", adotado no Reino Unido e outros países da Europa, às normas vigentes no Brasil e classificar produtos industrializados comercializados no país. MÉTODOS: Esta ferramenta baseia-se na utilização das cores do semáforo para valorar concentrações de gorduras total, saturada e trans, açúcar, sódio e fibra correspondente a 100g ou 100mL do produto. O sinal vermelho indica que o nutriente está presente em quantidade excessiva; o amarelo, média e o verde, adequada. Para fibras as baixas concentrações têm cor vermelha e as recomendadas, verde. A adaptação e aplicação desses conceitos para consumidores brasileiros fundamentaram-se nas normas do Regulamento Técnico Referente à Informação Nutricional Complementar da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária e da Food Standards Agency. RESULTADOS: Foram classificados cem produtos industrializados, os quais foram selecionados da página eletrônica de um hipermercado brasileiro, optando pelos primeiros cinco a oito produtos listados na página, para cada uma das 17 categorias. A análise mostra que são altas as quantidades de gordura total, saturada e sódio e baixas as quantidades de gordura trans e fibra. CONCLUSÃO: A adaptação dessa metodologia visa facilitar a escolha de alimentos saudáveis, sensibilizando os consumidores quanto às desvantagens no que se refere a qualidade nutricional dos alimentos industrializados, e estimular as indústrias a melhorar a composição nutricional de seus produtos, sob a perspectiva de receberem maior quantidade de sinais verdes e menor quantidade de sinais vermelhos; assim, contribuindo para a prevenção de erros alimentares, obesidade e doenças crônicas não-transmissíveis, principais causas de incapacidade e mortes precoces no Brasil.
OBJECTIVE: This study presented an adaptation of the Traffic Light Labeling or Nutrition Traffic Light adopted in the United Kingdom and other countries in Europe to the regulations in force in Brazil and classified the processed food products sold in the country. METHODS: This tool uses traffic light colors to indicate the amount of total, saturated and trans fats, sugar, sodium and fiber present in 100g or 100mL of the product. The red light indicates that the nutrient is in excess; yellow means average and green means appropriate. For fibers, low content is indicated by the red light and proper content by green light. High prices are indicated by red light and low ones by green light. The adaptation and administration of these concepts for Brazilian consumers were based on norms established by the Brazilian National Sanitary Surveillance Agency Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária and by the British Food Standards Agency. RESULTS: One hundred processed foods from a Brazilian supermarket website were classified. The selected foods were the first five to eight items shown on a page of each of the 17 food categories. The analysis showed that the amount of total and saturated fats and sodium are high and the amounts of trans fats and fibers are low. CONCLUSION: The use of this method allows consumers to easily pick healthier foods, alerting consumers about the disadvantages of processed foods with respect to their nutritional quality, and incentivizes companies to improve the nutritional composition of their foods in order to receive a higher number of green lights and smaller number of red lights. This helps to prevent poor food choices, obesity and non-communicable chronic diseases, which are the main causes of early disability and death in Brazil.