Perception of frontal food labeling, purchase and consumption of ultra-processed foods during the COVID-19 quarantine: A cross-sectional study in the Peruvian population

Introduction: The current scenario of the COVID-19 pandemic and the constant increase in consumption of ultra-processed foods represent a threat to public health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the perception of front-of-pack nutrition labelling, the trend of purchase and consumption of ultra-processed foods during social confinement by COVID-19 in the Peruvian population. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered online survey. A total of 330 participants between the ages of 18 and 59 were recruited from all regions of Peru. A validated questionnaire was used to assess the perception of front-of-food labelling, purchases, and consumption of ultra-processed foods. The data were analyzed using the statistical software IBM SPSS version 27, using the Chi-square test. A significance level of 5% was considered. Results: 77.9% and 68.7% showed a positive perception towards the implementation of the nutrient warning octagons and the label model/design, respectively. 63.3% agreed or totally agreed that octagons influence food purchases. The purchase of ultra-processed foods during confinement by COVID-19 occurred in 67.5% in women. Women were the ones who reported having read almost always or always in a higher proportion compared to men (31.5% vs. 23.3%). The largest proportion of participants reported an increase in the consumption of foods high in saturated fat (90%) and sugars (87%) during confinement. Conclusions: Participants had a positive perception towards the implementation of the nutrition warning labelling standard. However, both the purchase and consumption of ultra-processed foods were high. It is suggested that educational programs should be implemented to promote a gradual decrease in the consumption of ultra-processed foods during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Evaluation of hygiene and food handling attitudes and practices during social isolation due to covid-19 in peruvian households: A cross-sectional study

The pandemic has affected almost all areas of people's lives and the way food is prepared is no exception. Food safety has been hit the hardest in the COVID-19 era. The aim of this paper was to investigate the attitudes and hygienic practices and food handling during social isolation by COVID-19 in Peruvian homes. A cross-sectional study was conducted that included 538 participants over 18 years of age from all regions of Peru, administering an online survey of 15 questions. The sample was selected by nonprobability sampling for convenience. The data were analysed using the statistical software IBM SPSS version 24 and the Chi-square test was used. A significance level of 5% was considered. Women represented the highest percentage of the sample (73.0%). 87.7% of the participants considered correct handling of food at home important during social isolation. Whereas 49.7% of the sample reported that they began to emphasize good handling practices when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Hand washing practices were more frequent in participants with a higher level of education (p<0.001). In general, the participants demonstrated a positive attitude and were aware of the role of hygienic practices when handling food.