Receitas padronizadas da alimentação escolar indígena de Mato Grosso do Sul / Recettes normalisées de l'alimentation scolaire indigène du Mato Grosso do Sul

Diante das dificuldades em padronizar fichas técnicas de preparações culinárias por parte dos profissionais atuantes na alimentação escolar, o CECANE/UFMS se propôs em realizar a elaboração de um receituário padrão. Tal documento tem o objetivo de auxiliar no planejamento, organização e execução do preparo das refeições nas escolas, de modo que este receituário se constitua como um instrumento de auxílio para melhor execução do PNAE nas escolas indígenas. Acompanhando o cenário nacional, a população indígena de Mato Grosso do Sul vem sofrendo com a insegurança alimentar e nutricional devido à carência de ingestão de proteínas, vitaminas e minerais, ocasionada pela redução do consumo de alimentos in natura e pelo aumento da oferta e acesso a alimentos industrializados com alto teor de açúcares, gorduras e aditivos alimentares. Essa situação é causada pela mudança dos hábitos alimentares ocasionada pela influência da população não-indígena, pela diminuição das terras indígenas, mudanças climáticas e escassez de alimentos (CHAMORRO; COMBÈS, 2015). Nesse contexto, o suporte governamental manifesto por meio da implantação de programas sociais e políticas públicas de alimentação e nutrição são ferramentas de extrema importância para combate à fome, garantia do direito à alimentação adequada e saudável, assim como a manutenção das tradições indígenas (CHAMORRO; COMBÈS, 2015). Dentre as ferramentas governamentais existentes para promover a Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional (SAN) no âmbito escolar, o PNAE desponta como um programa federal bem consolidado que viabiliza recursos financeiros para a alimentação dos estudantes e para ações de Educação Alimentar e Nutricional (EAN) nas comunidades (BRASIL, 2020). Os ditos materiais desenvolvidos pelo CECANE/UFMS visam tratar de temas tais quais o acesso aos alimentos de forma igualitária, bem como apoiar o desenvolvimento sustentável por meio do incentivo à compra de diferentes gêneros alimentícios produzidos pela agricultura familiar e pelos empreendedores familiares rurais, principalmente aqueles das comunidades tradicionais indígenas e quilombolas. Como disposto na legislação em relação aos cardápios escolares, seu planejamento e execução devem ser feitos pelo Responsável Técnico (RT) do PNAE, priorizandose a utilização de alimentos in natura ou minimamente processados, respeitando as necessidades nutricionais das respectivas faixas etárias, os hábitos alimentares locais, e atendendo às especificidades culturais das comunidades tradicionais, além de defender a sustentabilidade, sazonalidade e diversidade agrícola da região (BRASIL, 2020).

"Front-of-pack" nutrition labeling.

Excess intake of energy, sugars, salt and saturated fats is an important causal factor of obesity and related non-communicable diseases. In order to help consumers to make healthy food choices, many European countries have developed proposals for "front-of-pack" food labeling, intended as an integration to the nutritional information provided by the mandatory nutritional declaration. Based on the European strategic program "Farm to Fork", the intention is to achieve a harmonized front-of-pack label proposal by Q4 2022. Among the different proposals, the one which received most attention by experts and greater feedback by the EU member countries is the Nutri-Score, a tool based on an algorithm whereby a "quality" category ranging from A to E is assigned to each single food on a background colored from dark green to dark orange. As an alternative to Nutri-Score, the NutrInform Battery has been developed by Italy in association with a few other EU member states: this proposal is objectively alternative to the Nutri-Score proposal due to a different underlying philosophy, in particular for its informative and educational intent rather than purchase orientation. The present document, prepared by the Scientific Board and reviewed by the Scientific Council of the Italian Society of Human Nutrition, represents the scientific-based position of the Society in relation to the general theme of front-of-pack labeling and in particular to the dualism created between the Nutri-Score and NutrInform Battery proposals.

Periodic Revisions of the International Choices Criteria: Process and Results.

Unhealthy diets contribute to an increased risk of non-communicable diseases, which are the leading causes of deaths worldwide. Nutrition policies such as front-of-pack labeling have been developed and implemented globally in different countries to stimulate healthier diets. The Choices Programme, including the International Choices criteria, is an established tool to support the implementation of such policies. The Choices criteria were developed to define the healthier choices per product group, taking saturated fatty acids, trans fatty acids, sodium, sugars, energy, and fiber into account. To keep these criteria updated, they are periodically revised by an independent international scientific committee. This paper explains the most important changes resulting from revisions between 2010 and 2016 and describes the process of the latest revision, resulting in the International Choices criteria version 2019. Revisions were based on national and international nutrition and dietary recommendations, large food composition databases, and stakeholders' feedback. Other nutrient profiling systems served as benchmarks. The product group classification was adapted and new criteria were determined in order to enhance global applicability and form a credible, intuitively logical system for users. These newly developed criteria will serve as an international standard for healthier products and provide a guiding framework for food and nutrition policies.

Health and Economic Impacts of the National Menu Calorie Labeling Law in the United States: A Microsimulation Study.

BACKGROUND: Excess caloric intake is linked to weight gain, obesity, and related diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Obesity incidence is rising, with nearly 3 in 4 US adults being overweight or obese. In 2018, the US federal government finalized the implementation of mandatory labeling of calorie content on all menu items across major chain restaurants nationally as a strategy to support informed consumer choice, reduce caloric intake, and potentially encourage restaurant reformulations. Yet, the potential health and economic impacts of this policy remain unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: We used a validated microsimulation model (CVD-PREDICT) to estimate reductions in CVD events, diabetes mellitus cases, gains in quality-adjusted life years, costs, and cost-effectiveness of the menu calorie labeling intervention, based on consumer responses alone, and further accounting for potential industry reformulation. The model incorporated nationally representative demographic and dietary data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2009 to 2016; policy effects on consumer diets and body mass index-disease effects from published meta-analyses; and policy effects on industry reformulation, policy costs (policy administration, industry compliance, and reformulation), and health-related costs (formal and informal healthcare costs, productivity costs) from established sources or reasonable assumptions. We modeled change in calories to change in weight using an established dynamic weight-change model, assuming 50% of expected calorie reductions would translate to long-term reductions. Findings were evaluated over 5 years and a lifetime from healthcare and societal perspectives, with uncertainty incorporated in both 1-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Between 2018 and 2023, implementation of the restaurant menu calorie labeling law was estimated, based on consumer response alone, to prevent 14 698 new CVD cases (including 1575 CVD deaths) and 21 522 new type 2 diabetes mellitus cases, gaining 8749 quality-adjusted life years. Over a lifetime, corresponding values were 135 781 new CVD cases (including 27 646 CVD deaths), 99 736 type 2 diabetes mellitus cases, and 367 450 quality-adjusted life years. Assuming modest restaurant item reformulation, both health and economic benefits were estimated to be about 2-fold larger than based on consumer response alone. The consumer response alone was estimated to be cost-saving by 2023, with net lifetime savings of $10.42B from a healthcare perspective and $12.71B from a societal perspective. Findings were robust in a range of sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Our national model suggests that the full implementation of the US calorie menu labeling law will generate significant health gains and healthcare and societal cost-savings. Industry responses to modestly reformulate menu items would provide even larger additional benefits.

Zinc Supplementation and Fortification in Mexican Children.

BACKGROUND: Zinc is an essential micronutrient for human health. Approximately 1.4% of deaths worldwide are related to zinc deficiency. In Mexico, 33% of children younger than 5 years are zinc deficient. OBJECTIVE: To give an overview of zinc supplementation and fortification in children younger than 5 years through the analysis of current regulations in Mexico, the availability of these products, and the opinion of Mexican experts in this field. METHODS: We gave an overview of zinc supplementation and fortification strategies in the Mexican pediatric population by conducting a literature review of Mexican studies and national standards concerning zinc supplementation and fortification. Semistructured interviews were conducted with personnel from the main producers of zinc supplements and fortified products and from social assistance programs in Mexico. RESULTS: Zinc supplementation in Mexico has been associated with reduction in the duration and incidence of diarrhea. Through interviews with experts, we identified several barriers in achieving adequate zinc consumption such as problems in social assistance programs that distribute zinc-fortified foods, lack of specific dietary recommendations regarding the intake of zinc, lack of regulation of nonpatented zinc supplements, and inconsistencies in public health actions due to political and administrative changes. CONCLUSION: Despite current regulation and efforts made by social assistance programs, zinc deficiency continues to be a prevalent public health issue. Mexico requires an in-depth analysis of existing barriers and alternatives in order to reduce zinc deficiency.

Growing the Business of Whole Grain in the Australian Market: A 6-Year Impact Assessment.

The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code does not regulate on-pack claims describing the amount of whole grain in foods. In July 2013, The Grains & Legumes Nutrition CouncilTM (GLNC) established a voluntary Code of Practice for Whole Grain Ingredient Content Claims (the Code) providing guidance for whole grain claims, with cut-off values and suggested wording ≥8 g, ≥16 g, and ≥24 g per manufacturer serve (contains; high and very high in whole grain), based on a 48 g whole grain daily target intake. The aim of this impact assessment was to report the uptake of the Code by manufacturers, changes in numbers of whole grain products, and claims on-pack since 2013, including compliance. The impact assessment was undertaken in August 2019, comparing current registered manufacturers ("users") and their products to the total number of products in the market deemed eligible for registration through GLNC product audits since 2013. Reporting included breakfast cereals, bread products, crispbreads, crackers, rice/corn cakes, rice, pasta, noodles, couscous, other grains (e.g., quinoa, buckwheat, freekeh), and grain-based muesli bars. As of 30 June 2019, there were 33 registered users and 531 registered products in Australia and New Zealand representing 43% of the eligible manufacturers and 65% of the eligible whole grain foods. Three-quarters (78% and 74%) of the eligible breakfast cereals and bread products were registered with the Code in 2019, followed by 62% of grain-based muesli bars. Only 39% of crispbread, crackers, rice/corn cakes, and rice, pasta, noodles, couscous, and other grains were registered. From 2013 there has been a 71% increase in the number of whole grain foods making claims, demonstrating strong uptake by industry, with clearer, more consistent, and compliant on-pack communication regarding whole grain content.

Iodine nutrition status in Spain Needs for the future. / La nutrición de yodo en España. Necesidades para el futuro.

Although iodine nutrition in Spain has improved in recent years, the problem is not completely resolved. It is necessary that health institutions establish measures to ensure an adequate iodine nutrition of the population, especially among the highest risk groups (children and adolescents, women of childbearing age, pregnant women and nursing mothers). A low salt intake should be advised, but it should be iodized. It is also imperative that food control agencies establish effective control over adequate iodization of salt. Indicators on iodine nutrition should be included in future health surveys. The EUthyroid study and the Krakow Declaration on iodine nutrition provide an opportunity to set up a pan-European plan for the prevention of iodine deficiency that should be considered and used by health authorities.

Trans Fat Labeling Information on Brazilian Packaged Foods.

Although the adverse effects of trans fat consumption are well documented, industrially-produced trans fats are still used in a variety of food products. Our objective was to investigate the presence of trans fat information on the nutrition facts panel, in the list of ingredients, and the use of trans fat claims in packaged food and beverages marketed in Brazil. This was a cross-sectional study that used data from packaged food and beverages available in the five supermarket chains with the largest market share in Brazil. Of the 11,434 products that were analyzed, 81.3% did not present a source of trans fats in the list of ingredients. The percentages of products with specific (hydrogenated fats or oils) and unspecific trans fat terms (margarine, vegetable fat, and vegetable cream) in the list of ingredients were 4.1% and 14.6%, respectively. Bakery products, cookies and crackers, candies and desserts, snacks, and convenience foods had the highest percentages of trans fat claims. We also found claims in products with ingredients that are sources of trans fats. In conclusion, trans fat ingredients were found in almost one-fifth of the Brazilian packaged foods. The current Brazilian legislation is not sufficient to inform consumers about the content of trans fats in packaged foods. Along with measures to restrict the use of industrially-produced trans fats, improvements in nutritional labeling are also needed.

Monitoring Sodium Content in Processed Foods in Argentina 2017-2018: Compliance with National Legislation and Regional Targets.

Sodium intake in Argentina has been estimated to be at least double the dose of 2000 mg/day recommended by WHO, mostly coming from processed foods. Argentina is one of the few countries in the world that have regulated sodium content in certain food products. This study presents an assessment of sodium content in a selection of food groups and categories as reported in the nutrient information panels. We surveyed 3674 food products, and the sodium content of 864 and 1375 of them was compared to the maximum levels according to the Argentinean law and the regional targets, respectively. All food categories presented high variability of sodium content. Over 90% of the products included in the national sodium reduction law were found to be compliant. Food groups with high median sodium, such as condiments, sauces and spreads, and fish and fish products, are not included in the national law. In turn, comparisons with the lower regional targets indicated that almost 50% of the products analyzed had sodium contents above the recommended values. This evidence suggests that enhancing sodium reduction in processed foods may be a necessity for public health objectives and it is also technically feasible in Argentina.

Niveles máximos de vitaminas y minerales en complementos alimenticios en Europa / Maximum levels of vitamins and minerals in food supplements in Europe

La legislación de la UE estableció qué factores deben aplicarse para la fijación de niveles máximos de vitaminas y minerales en los complementos alimenticios y en otros alimentos enriquecidos con estos nutrientes, considerando la distinta sensibilidad de los grupos poblacionales, a fin de minimizar los riesgos de una ingesta excesiva. Una década y media después, todavía no se han fijado dichos niveles máximos. A causa de esta demora, en muchos países europeos se han establecido para los complementos alimenticios cantidades máximas diarias, con grandes diferencias de un país a otro. En Francia se acaban de actualizar estos niveles máximos tomando en consideración la edad, la situación fisiológica y el estado de salud de los grupos de población: niños de 1-3 años, niños de 3-10 años, adolescentes de 11-17 años, adultos, mujeres con probabilidad de embarazo, embarazadas, mujeres lactantes, menopausia, ancianos, fumadores, pacientes que reciben un tratamiento anticoagulante, pacientes renales, etc

EU legislation established the factors that should be applied for the setting of maximum levels of vitamins and minerals in food supplements and other foods enriched with these nutrients, considering the different sensitivity of the population groups, in order to minimize the risks of an excessive intake. A decade and a half later, these maximum levels have not yet been set. Because of this delay, in many European countries maximum daily amounts have been established for food supplements, with great differences from one country to another. In France, these maximum levels have just been updated taking into account the age, the physiological situation and the state of health of the population groups: children of 1-3 years, children of 3-10 years, adolescents of 11-17 years, adults, women with probability of pregnancy, pregnant women, lactating women, menopause, old people, smokers, patients receiving anticoagulant treatment, renal patients, etc

Innovation to Create a Healthy and Sustainable Food System: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association.

Current dietary intakes of North Americans are inconsistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This occurs in the context of a food system that precludes healthy foods as the default choices. To develop a food system that is both healthy and sustainable requires innovation. This science advisory from the American Heart Association describes both innovative approaches to developing a healthy and sustainable food system and the current evidence base for the associations between these approaches and positive changes in dietary behaviors, dietary intakes, and when available, health outcomes. Innovation can occur through policy, private sector, public health, medical, community, or individual-level approaches and could ignite and further public-private partnerships. New product innovations, reformulations, taxes, incentives, product placement/choice architecture, innovative marketing practices, menu and product labeling, worksite wellness initiatives, community campaigns, nutrition prescriptions, mobile health technologies, and gaming offer potential benefits. Some innovations have been observed to increase the purchasing of healthy foods or have increased diversity in food choices, but there remains limited evidence linking these innovations with health outcomes. The demonstration of evidence-based improvements in health outcomes is challenging for any preventive interventions, especially those related to diet, because of competing lifestyle and environmental risk factors that are difficult to quantify. A key next step in creating a healthier and more sustainable food system is to build innovative system-level approaches that improve individual behaviors, strengthen industry and community efforts, and align policies with evidence-based recommendations. To enable healthier food choices and favorably impact cardiovascular health, immediate action is needed to promote favorable innovation at all levels of the food system.

Cost-Effectiveness of the US Food and Drug Administration Added Sugar Labeling Policy for Improving Diet and Health.

BACKGROUND: Excess added sugars, particularly from sugar-sweetened beverages, are a major risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. In 2016, the US Food and Drug Administration mandated the labeling of added sugar content on all packaged foods and beverages. Yet, the potential health impacts and cost-effectiveness of this policy remain unclear. METHODS: A validated microsimulation model (US IMPACT Food Policy model) was used to estimate cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus cases averted, quality-adjusted life-years, policy costs, health care, informal care, and lost productivity (health-related) savings and cost-effectiveness of 2 policy scenarios: (1) implementation of the US Food and Drug Administration added sugar labeling policy (sugar label), and (2) further accounting for corresponding industry reformulation (sugar label+reformulation). The model used nationally representative demographic and dietary intake data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, disease data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wonder Database, policy effects and diet-disease effects from meta-analyses, and policy and health-related costs from established sources. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis accounted for model parameter uncertainties and population heterogeneity. RESULTS: Between 2018 and 2037, the sugar label would prevent 354 400 cardiovascular disease (95% uncertainty interval, 167 000-673 500) and 599 300 (302 400-957 400) diabetes mellitus cases, gain 727 000 (401 300-1 138 000) quality-adjusted life-years, and save $31 billion (15.7-54.5) in net healthcare costs or $61.9 billion (33.1-103.3) societal costs (incorporating reduced lost productivity and informal care costs). For the sugar label+reformulation scenario, corresponding gains were 708 800 (369 200-1 252 000) cardiovascular disease cases, 1.2 million (0.7-1.7) diabetes mellitus cases, 1.3 million (0.8-1.9) quality-adjusted life-years, and $57.6 billion (31.9-92.4) and $113.2 billion (67.3-175.2), respectively. Both scenarios were estimated with >80% probability to be cost saving by 2023. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing the US Food and Drug Administration added sugar labeling policy could generate substantial health gains and cost savings for the US population.

Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Child Health: Implications for Policy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Various policies to reduce sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) consumption in children have been implemented. Here, we review the evidence on whether these policies are effective in reducing SSB intake and whether a reduction in SSB intake results in a concomitant reduction in child obesity. We also highlight ethical concerns with such efforts. RECENT FINDINGS: The evidence supporting relationship between SSB consumption and child body mass index (BMI) is consistently small and lacks causality. The effects of policies are unclear; taxation has no clear relationship to SSB purchasing, innovative marketing outlets make it difficult to examine the effects of restricting marketing on SSB consumption, and there is no evidence that reducing SSB availability in schools decreases consumption. Research studies with rigorous and reproducible study designs are needed to examine whether reducing SSB consumption reduces child obesity, and to identify implementable policies that not only reduce SSB consumption but also child weight.

Low-Calorie Sweetened Beverages and Cardiometabolic Health: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association.

In the United States, 32% of beverages consumed by adults and 19% of beverages consumed by children in 2007 to 2010 contained low-calorie sweeteners (LCSs). Among all foods and beverages containing LCSs, beverages represent the largest proportion of LCS consumption worldwide. The term LCS includes the 6 high-intensity sweeteners currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and 2 additional high-intensity sweeteners for which the US Food and Drug Administration has issued no objection letters. Because of a lack of data on specific LCSs, this advisory does not distinguish among these LCSs. Furthermore, the advisory does not address foods sweetened with LCSs. This advisory reviews evidence from observational studies and clinical trials assessing the cardiometabolic outcomes of LCS beverages. It summarizes the positions of government agencies and other health organizations on LCS beverages and identifies research needs on the effects of LCS beverages on energy balance and cardiometabolic health. The use of LCS beverages may be an effective strategy to help control energy intake and promote weight loss. Nonetheless, there is a dearth of evidence on the potential adverse effects of LCS beverages relative to potential benefits. On the basis of the available evidence, the writing group concluded that, at this time, it is prudent to advise against prolonged consumption of LCS beverages by children. (Although water is the optimal beverage choice, children with diabetes mellitus who consume a balanced diet and closely monitor their blood glucose may be able to prevent excessive glucose excursions by substituting LCS beverages for sugar-sweetened beverages [SSBs] when needed.) For adults who are habitually high consumers of SSBs, the writing group concluded that LCS beverages may be a useful replacement strategy to reduce intake of SSBs. This approach may be particularly helpful for persons who are habituated to a sweet-tasting beverage and for whom water, at least initially, is an undesirable option. Encouragingly, self-reported consumption of both SSBs and LCS beverages has been declining in the United States, suggesting that it is feasible to reduce SSB intake without necessarily substituting LCS beverages for SSBs. Thus, the use of other alternatives to SSBs, with a focus on water (plain, carbonated, and unsweetened flavored), should be encouraged.

Hidden Hunger: Solutions for America's Aging Populations.

The global population, including the United States, is experiencing a demographic shift with the proportion of older adults (aged ≥ 65 years) growing faster than any other age group. This demographic group is at higher risk for developing nutrition-related chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes as well as infections such as influenza and pneumonia. As a result, an emphasis on nutrition is instrumental for disease risk reduction. Unfortunately, inadequate nutrient status or deficiency, often termed hidden hunger, disproportionately affects older adults because of systematic healthcare, environmental, and biological challenges. This report summarizes the unique nutrition challenges facing the aging population and identifies strategies, interventions, and policies to address hidden hunger among the older adults, discussed at the scientific symposium "Hidden Hunger: Solutions for America's Aging Population", on March 23, 2018.

Australia's Progress in Improving Diets and Preventing Obesity: Clear Opportunities for Action.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Australia, like other developed countries, has a high prevalence of overweight and obesity, in both adults and children. This review examines progress in food policy in Australia, particularly at a national level, around key policy domains as well as in relation to public education. RECENT FINDINGS: Australia lacks a national nutrition strategy or an obesity prevention strategy, incorporating best practice recommendations to improve diets. Examination of current progress shows patchy implementation of key food policy initiatives and significant gaps, particularly at the federal level. In the absence of a long-term strategic approach, the response of the federal government has been ad hoc around the adoption of key policies and funding for programs to improve what Australians eat. Consensus around a platform for obesity prevention for national action, including food policy, is building from public health, academic and consumer groups.

Can healthy motivated British adults achieve the revised UK government fibre recommendations of 30 g per day? Results from a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND:: UK Government recommendations for dietary fibre intakes have recently increased to 30 g per day, well below current population intakes. AIM:: This study aimed to explore whether the target for dietary fibre intake could be achieved and the effects on markers of cardiometabolic health. METHODS:: In this 4-week high-fibre intervention study, 15 participants were instructed to achieve dietary fibre intakes of 30 g/day. RESULTS:: Dietary fibre intakes significantly increased post intervention (16.0 ± 8.1 g/day, p < 0.001). No significant changes in glucose and triglyceride concentrations were observed and there was a significant increase in average body weight (0.7 ± 1.2 kg, p = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS:: This study shows that achieving the new dietary fibre recommendations of 30g/day is achievable, in the short term, in a sample of British adults without any observed effect on health markers.

The Impact of the Australasian 'Health Star Rating', Front-of-Pack Nutritional Label, on Consumer Choice: A Longitudinal Study.

Front-of-pack (FoP) nutrition labels are a widely deployed tool in public good marketing. This article reports on a field experimental test of the impact of one of these systems, the Australasian Health Star Rating system (HSR), on consumer choice in the breakfast cereals category in New Zealand. This study forms part of a time-series replication stream of research on this topic. The research applied a 2 × 2 factorial design with multiple replications to retail food consumers exiting from supermarkets in New Zealand. The first part of the time series, undertaken shortly after the HSR's initiation in 2014, indicated that the HSR was ineffective. Between 2014 and 2016, commercial brands in the category within New Zealand massively promoted the HSR as a basis for consumer choice. The research presented in this article forms part of the second part of the series, undertaken in 2016, using an identical experimental methodology to the 2014 study. The results indicate that the HSR may be beginning to influence consumer choice as it was predicted to, but the impact of the system is still small, and statistically sub-significant, relative to other consumer decision inputs presented on the package.

Serving Size and Nutrition Labelling: Implications for Nutrition Information and Nutrition Claims on Packaged Foods.

The presentation of nutrition information on a serving size basis is a strategy that has been adopted by several countries to promote healthy eating. Variation in serving size, however, can alter the nutritional values reported on food labels and compromise the food choices made by the population. This narrative review aimed to discuss (1) current nutrition labelling legislation regarding serving size and (2) the implications of declared serving size for nutrition information available on packaged foods. Most countries with mandatory food labelling require that serving size be presented on food labels, but variation in this information is generally allowed. Studies have reported a lack of standardisation among serving sizes of similar products which may compromise the usability of nutrition information. Moreover, studies indicate that food companies may be varying serving sizes as a marketing strategy to stimulate sales by reporting lower values of certain nutrients or lower energy values on nutrition information labels. There is a need to define the best format for presenting serving size on food labels in order to provide clear and easily comprehensible nutrition information to the consumer.