Processed foods available in the Pacific Islands

Globalization and Health

Charlene Guignet⁴  Katia Cateine¹  Jioje Fesaitu²  Rachael LT Guerrero⁵  Erica Reeve⁷  Astika Raj³  Wendy Snowdon⁶ 

[1] RESIR, Noumea, New Caledonia;Nutrition and Dietetics Unit, Ministry of Health,  , Republic of Nauru;C-POND, College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, FNU (Tamavua campus), Private Mail Bag, Suva, Fiji;Independent consultant, Noumea, New Caledonia;College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Guam, UOG Station, Mangilao 96923, Guam;C-POND, Fiji National University and Deakin University, C/O College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, FNU (Tamavua Campus), Private Mail Bag, Suva, Fiji;Independent researcher, Apia, Samoa

关键词: Nutrition;    Processed foods;    Pacific Islands;   

Others  :  805253
DOI  :  10.1186/1744-8603-9-53

 received in 2013-03-01, accepted in 2013-10-02,  发布年份 2013

【 摘 要 】

Background

There is an increasing reliance on processed foods globally, yet food composition tables include minimal information on their nutrient content. The Pacific Islands share common trade links and are heavily reliant on imported foods. The objective was to develop a dataset for the Pacific Islands on nutrient composition of processed foods sold and their sources.

Methods

Information on the food labels, including country of origin, nutrient content and promotional claims were recorded into a standardised dataset. Data were cleaned, converted to per 100 g data as needed and then checked for anomalies and recording errors.

Setting: Five representative countries were selected for data collection, based on their trading patterns: Fiji, Guam, Nauru, New Caledonia, and Samoa. Data were collected in the capitals, in larger stores which import their own foods. Subjects: Processed foods in stores.

Results

The data from 6041 foods and drinks were recorded. Fifty four countries of origin were identified, with the main provider of food for each Pacific Island country being that with which it was most strongly linked politically. Nutrient data were not provided for 6% of the foods, imported from various countries. Inaccurate labels were found on 132 products. Over one-quarter of the foods included some nutrient or health-related claims.

Conclusions

The globalisation of the food supply is having considerable impacts on diets in the Pacific Islands. While nutrient labels can be informative for consumers looking for healthier options, difficulties still exist with poor labelling and interpretation can be challenging.

【 授权许可】

   
2013 Snowdon et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

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