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Pediatría (Asunción)
On-line version ISSN 1683-9803
Abstract
HERMOSILLA SORIA, Romy Beatriz; SANCHEZ BERNAL, Susana F. and BURGOS, Rodrigo. Stated content of fats, sodium, sugars and sweeteners in nutritional labeling of sweets, salty snacks and in selected non-alcoholic sweet drinks. Pediatr. (Asunción) [online]. 2020, vol.47, n.1, pp.30-38. ISSN 1683-9803. https://doi.org/10.31698/ped.47012020006.
Introduction:
Obesity in children is also associated with intake of foods high in fat, sugar and sodium, so it is important to know their levels in sweets and sweet drinks.
Objectives:
To evaluate critical nutrient content according to the PAHO Nutrient Profile in sweet treats, salty snacks and packaged non-alcoholic sweet drinks, according to nutritional labeling information.
Materials and Methods:
This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, exploratory study. Content per serving of total fat (TF), saturated fats (SF) and trans-fatty acids (TrF), sodium, free sugars (FS) and artificial sweeteners (AS) in sweet, salty, and non-alcoholic sweet drinks (NASD) was evaluated according to nutritional labeling. Excessive levels were considered according to the "PAHO Nutrient Profile". Samples were obtained for convenience at two outlet stores. Packaged desserts and treats with poorly visible information were excluded. Results: We evaluated 104 foods, which were grouped in: baked foods (alfajor, muffins), chocolates, salty snacks (cheese, corn, crackers, french fries), sweet cookies, and sweet drinks (juices / soft drinks / sports drinks). In baked foods, 8/13 had excess of TF, 10/13 of SF, 4/13 of TrF, 11/13 of FS, no excess of sodium, 11/13 had AS. Among chocolates, all had excess of TF and SF, 2/10 in TrF, none of sodium, 9/10 were high in FS, 2/10 contained AS. Snacks: 14/17 were high in TF, 7/17 in SF, 1/17 in TrF, 15/17 in sodium, 4/17 in FS, 6/17 contained AS. Sweet cookies had excess TF (14/20), SF (17/20), 6/20 had excess of TrF, sodium (1/20), all had excess FS, 17/20 contained AS. In NASD (n = 44), all had excess sodium, 36/44 had excess FS, 21/44 had AS.
Conclusion:
Baked foods are high in fat, free sugars and sweeteners. Chocolates are high in fats and sugars. Snacks are high in sodium and fat. Cookies have excess sugar and saturated fat, 2/3 contained artificial sweeteners. Sweet drinks are high in sodium and sugars, half have artificial sweeteners.
Keywords : Candies; drinks; fats; sugars.
