Prevalence of Low-Calorie Sweeteners and Related Front-of-Package Claims in the Brazilian Packaged Food Supply

BackgroundLow-calorie sweeteners (LCSs) are increasingly being used worldwide, including in foods and beverages commonly consumed by children.ObjectiveTo examine the prevalence of LCSs in packaged foods and beverages sold in Brazil, whether LCSs are added to products with advertising directed to children, and whether foods and beverages with LCSs include front-of-package (FoP) LCS-related health and nutrition claims.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingA sample (n = 11,434) of packaged foods and beverages sold by the top 5 largest Brazilian food retailers was examined to identify LCSs and added sugars, and a subsample (n = 3491) was examined to determine the presence of advertising directed to children and FoP LCS-related claims in foods and beverages with LCSs.Main outcome and measuresThe prevalence of foods and beverages with different types of LCSs in the Brazilian food supply, among ultra-processed foods and beverages and among foods and beverages with added sugars, were measured. Foods and beverages with advertising directed to children were checked to see if these products had LCSs and how many products with LCSs had FoP labels with LCS-related claims.Statistical analysesMean and 95% CIs were used to determine the overall prevalence of foods and beverages with LCSs and in the different assessed stratifications.ResultsThe prevalence of LCSs was 9.3% (95% CI 8.8-9.9) in Brazilian packaged foods and beverages, 14.6% (95% CI 13.8-15.4) in ultra-processed products alone, and 5.7% (95% CI 4.2-7.7) in foods and beverages with advertising directed to children. About 83% of food and beverage with LCSs were also sweetened with added sugars. LCSs were most frequently added to nonalcoholic sweetened beverages, breakfast cereals, and granola bars. Forty percent of foods and beverages with LCS did not present any FoP LCS-related claim.ConclusionThis study shows that LCSs are present in 15% of ultra-processed foods and beverages in Brazil, largely used in combination with added sugars, and are found in foods and beverages with advertising directed to children. Clearer FoP information regarding the presence of LCSs, in particular in products with advertising directed to children, can help consumers make more informed choices regarding LCS consumption.     

Incorporating the Dietary Guidelines for Americans Vegetable Recommendations into the Diet Alters Dietary Intake Patterns of Other Foods and Improves Diet Quality in Adults with Overweight and Obesity

BackgroundUnderstanding how vegetables are incorporated into the diet, especially in the types and amounts recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and how this alters dietary intake patterns is vital for developing targeted behavior change interventions.ObjectiveTo determine how a provision of vegetables was incorporated into the diet of adults with overweight and obesity; whether or not the provided vegetables displaced other foods; and what, if any, effect this had on diet quality and body weight and composition.DesignThis study investigated secondary outcomes from the Motivating Value of Vegetables Study, a community-based, randomized, parallel, nonblinded controlled trial. Participants were randomly assigned to a provided vegetable intervention or attention control group using a one to one allocation ratio.Participants/settingMen and women with self-reported low vegetable consumption, aged 18 to 65 years, with a body mass index ≥25 were recruited from Grand Forks, ND, between October 2015 and September 2017. Only participants randomized to the provided vegetable intervention group (n = 51; attrition = 8%) were included in this secondary analysis.InterventionDietary Guidelines for Americans recommended types and amounts of vegetables were provided weekly for 8 weeks.Main outcome measuresHow the provided vegetables were incorporated into the diet was measured using daily self-report and 24-hour dietary recalls. Diet quality was assessed via the Healthy Eating Index 2015. Body weight and composition were measured before and after the intervention.Statistical analyses performedData were assessed using generalized linear mixed models where phase (pre, post) was the within-subject factor and subject was the random effect.ResultsParticipants self-reported using 29% of the provided vegetables as substitutes for other foods. With the increase in vegetable consumption, there were decreases in total grains (mean difference ± standard deviation; –0.97 ± 3.23 oz-equivalents; P = 0.02), protein foods (–1.24 ± 3.86 oz-equivalents; P = 0.01), saturated fats (–6.44 ± 19.63 g; P = 0.02), and added sugars (–2.44 ± 6.78 tsp-equivalents; P = 0.02) consumed. Total Healthy Eating Index 2015 scores increased (+4.48 ± 9.63; P = 0.001) and dietary energy density decreased (–0.44 ± 0.52 kcal/g; P < 0.0001). There was no change in total energy intake or body weight and composition.ConclusionsIncreasing vegetable consumption to meet Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations alters dietary intake patterns, improving diet quality and energy density. These findings highlight the importance of characterizing how individuals incorporate Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations into their diet.     

由苍蝇传播引起E．coli O157：H7感染爆发的评估模型的建立

目的 建立苍蝇对E．coli O157：H7传播作用的定量危险性评估模型。方法 在Excel工作表中模拟E．coli O157：H7的粪口传播过程，利用@RISK软件对模型进行Monte Carlo模拟。结果 由此交叉污染途径引起人群感染的概率为10^-5～10^-3／餐。模型预测的结果与爆发调查数据基本吻合。通过模型分析可知，苍蝇排泄物中的含菌量及苍蝇的数量是影响人群感染危险性的重要因素。结论 以苍蝇污染途径模拟E．coli O157：H7感染危险性的定量评估模型，该模型是一个非常有用的评估危害与危险性关系的评估工具。     

1992～2001年食源性疾病暴发资料分析——国家食源性疾病监测网

目的　了解国家食源性疾病监测网覆盖地区人群食源性疾病爆发的发生状况。方法　对 13个监测地区 1992～ 2 0 0 1年食源性疾病爆发上报资料进行回顾性分析。结果　十年间共上报 5 770件食源性疾病暴发事件 ,涉及的患者人数达 16 2 995人。微生物引起的食源性疾病事件和涉及人数最多 ,分别占总体的38 5 %和 5 0 9%。副溶血性弧菌 (31 1% )是主要的病因物质。化学物引起的食源性疾病事件和涉及人数分别占总体的 37 5 %和 2 8 6 %。结论　应不断加强完善我国食源性疾病监测网络的建设。