Nutrition Quality of Packaged Foods in Bogotá, Colombia: A Comparison of Two Nutrient Profile Models

Abstract

Background: Front-of-package warning labels are an increasingly common policy and have been implemented to inform consumers of the nutritional quality of ultra-processed foods. This study examined the proportion of Colombian products that could be subjected to such regulations. Methods: Two nutrition profile models were compared: the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) model, and the nutrient profile established under the Chilean food labeling and advertising law (Chilean model). Products (n = 6708) exceeding nutrient criteria based on each model were identified as subject to regulation. Results: A total of 80.2% (PAHO model) to 66.4% (Chilean model) of foods met the criteria for regulation. The categories with the highest proportion of regulated products were meats (97.3% PAHO model; 87.5% Chilean model), sweets (95.6% PAHO) and snacks (Chilean model). The category with the lowest proportions of regulated products were cereals (47.3% PAHO model) and miscellaneous foods and fish/seafood (39.0% and 39.5%, respectively, Chilean model). Conclusions: Under both the PAHO and Chilean nutrient profile models, the majority of packaged foods available in Bogotá would be eligible to receive front-of-package warning labels. These results suggest a warning label law could have a major impact on the Colombian food supply, especially in the context of the growing prevalence of diet-related chronic diseases in Colombia.

Applying Nutrient Profiling Systems to Packaged Foods and Drinks Sold in Jamaica

“…In the absence of any formative food composition data, it is imperative to test how foods available in Jamaica perform using different NPSs. Other countries have compared how different NPSs might apply to the products available in their country, such as in Canada [24,25], Mexico [26] and Colombia [27]. The findings here on the share of products with excess NOCs under the PAHO compared to the Chile NPS are consistent with the studies done elsewhere; the PAHO NPS would identify a larger percentage of packaged products as having excess NOCs.…”

Experimental Studies of Front-of-Package Nutrient Warning Labels on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Ultra-Processed Foods: A Scoping Review

“…These systems not only apply labels to different nutrients (e.g., Chile's model includes a calories label, whereas PAHO includes labels for total fats, trans fats, and non-caloric sweeteners), but also use different algorithms or reference values to determine which products receive label(s). These different nutrient profile models will influence what nutrients are included and how many products are covered [85][86][87][88], with potentially major differences in what receives a warning label depending on the food category. In addition, other labeling systems incorporate nutrients of benefit into their summary score calculations, with the underlying assumption that some beneficial nutrients like vitamins, fiber, or fruit and vegetable content offset the negative effects of other critical nutrients, such as sugar or sodium.…”

Designing an Effective Front-of-Package Warning Label for Food and Drinks High in Added Sugar, Sodium, or Saturated Fat in Colombia: An Online Experiment

“…Similar to previous labeling studies [ 27 ], we selected product categories that are commonly consumed in Colombia and include products which would be high in nutrients of concern (fruit drinks, bread, cookies, and soda) [ 7 ].…”

“…For each category, a graphic designer developed product images that were similar to products and flavors existing in the Colombian market, but were fictional brands in order to avoid the influence of pre-existing consumer preferences for particular brands or products [ 28 ]. We used the Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO) nutritional profile model [ 21 ], an international nutritional profile model which has previously been used to study warning labels in Colombia [ 7 ], as the framework for determining which nutrient labels the products received. Briefly, products are eligible to receive a warning if they are processed or ultra-processed and exceed thresholds for nutrients of concern (e.g., product contains ≥1 mg sodium per 1 calorie; ≥10% of total energy from free sugars; and ≥10% of total calories from saturated fat).…”

“…The increase in overweight and obesity has been accompanied by a diet characterized by high levels of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and other foods high in nutrients of concern (e.g., high in added sugar, added sodium, or added saturated fat) [ 5 , 6 ]. For example, a recent study found that of the Colombian packaged food supply, approximately 66 to 80% of packaged foods and drinks exceed thresholds for nutrients of concern set by international nutritional profile models [ 7 ]. This trend towards SSBs and other foods high in added sugar, sodium, or saturated fat is concerning, considering that these foods are more likely to be ultra-processed [ 8 , 9 , 10 ] and a large and growing body of evidence has linked consumption of these products to poorer dietary quality, increased calorie intake, and excess weight gain [ 11 , 12 , 13 ].…”