Food systems transformations, ultra-processed food markets and the nutrition transition in Asia

Abstract

BackgroundAttracted by their high economic growth rates, young and growing populations, and increasingly open markets, transnational food and beverage corporations (TFBCs) are targeting Asian markets with vigour. Simultaneously the consumption of ultra-processed foods high in fat, salt and glycaemic load is increasing in the region. Evidence demonstrates that TFBCs can leverage their market power to shape food systems in ways that alter the availability, price, nutritional quality, desirability and ultimately consumption of such foods. This paper describes recent changes in Asian food systems driven by TFBCs in the retail, manufacturing and food service sectors and considers the implications for population nutrition.MethodMarket data for each sector was sourced from Euromonitor International for four lower-middle income, three upper-middle income and five high-income Asian countries. Descriptive statistics were used to describe trends in ultra-processed food consumption (2000–2013), packaged food retail distribution channels (1999–2013), ‘market transnationalization’ defined as the market share held by TFBCs relative to domestic firms (2004–2013), and ‘market concentration’ defined as the market share and thus market power held by the four leading firms (2004–2013) in each market.ResultsUltra-processed food sales has increased rapidly in most middle-income countries. Carbonated soft drinks was the leading product category, in which Coca-Cola and PepsiCo had a regional oligopoly. Supermarkets, hypermarkets and convenience stores were becoming increasingly dominant as distribution channels for packaged foods throughout the region. Market concentration was increasing in the grocery retail sector in all countries. Food service sales are increasing in all countries led by McDonalds and Yum! Brands. However, in all three sectors TFBCs face strong competition from Asian firms.ConclusionsOverall, the findings suggest that market forces are likely to be significant but variable drivers of Asia’s nutrition transition. The carbonated soft drink market is the most highly concentrated and likely to be most harmful to population nutrition. The grocery retail sector is, in terms of increasing market concentration and thus market power, likely to be the most important driver of ongoing food systems change and ultra-processed food sales in the region. Given it's rapid growth, the food service sector will also contribute significantly to ongoing dietary change.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12992-016-0223-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Global trends in ultraprocessed food and drink product sales and their association with adult body mass index trajectories

“…UPFD already correspond to more than 50% of total energy intake in high income countries, such as the United States and Canada, and their consumption is increasing rapidly in middle‐income countries . Consumption of UPFD has been associated with unhealthy dietary patterns and with overweight and obesity in studies conducted in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Chile, Colombia, and Brazil .…”

“…15 UPFD already correspond to more than 50% of total energy intake in high income countries, such as the United States 16,17 and Canada, 18 and their consumption is increasing rapidly in middleincome countries. [19][20][21][22] Consumption of UPFD has been associated with unhealthy dietary patterns [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] and with overweight and obesity in studies conducted in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Chile, Colombia, and Brazil. 13,[31][32][33][34][35][36] A longitudinal study in Latin America, that included 13 countries, found a positive, strong, and statistically significant association between annual changes in sales per capita of UPFD and annual changes in mean BMI after controlling for confounding factors.…”

Promotions of breastmilk substitutes, commercial complementary foods and commercial snack products commonly fed to young children are frequently found in points‐of‐sale in Bandung City, Indonesia

“…Inclusion of nutrient‐poor snack foods and beverages in regulations controlling inappropriate promotions of foods for young children is increasingly important as consumption becomes more prevalent (Pries, Filteau, & Ferguson, ) and habits and taste preferences established in childhood have been linked to long‐term eating preferences (Beauchamp & Mennella, ; Ventura & Mennella, ). Indonesia lacks such regulation, in spite of the growing availability of commercially produced snack foods (Baker & Friel, ; Shrimpton & Rokx, ). An U.S. Department of Agriculture report noted $7.1 billion in sales of packaged commercial snacks in Indonesia in 2016 and that growth of the food processing industry was due in part to “aggressive promotional activities” (U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service, ).…”

A comparison of the healthiness of packaged foods and beverages from 12 countries using the Health Star Rating nutrient profiling system, 2013–2018

“…2 Processed food and beverage products contribute more than two thirds of dietary energy and other nutrients consumed in high-income countries, 3 and consumption of such foods is rapidly increasing in low-and middle-income countries. 4,5 Compared to unpackaged products, packaged foods tend to be higher in nutrients of concern such as added sugars, sodium, saturated fat, and trans-fat. 2 Improving the healthiness of packaged foods and beverages would likely make a significant contribution to reducing the burden of obesity and diet-related disease at both a national and a global level through decreased consumption of nutrients of concern.…”