The Establishment of Nutrient Profiles for Solid Pre-packaged Food in China
Jing Zhu
Beijing Institute of Nutritional Resources, Beijing 100069, China.
Xuesong Xiang
National institute for Nutrition and Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China.
Xin Wang
Beijing Institute of Nutritional Resources, Beijing 100069, China.
Hans Verhagen
National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), P.O.Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, Netherlands and University of Ulster, Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), Cromore Road, Coleraine, BT52 1SA Northern Ireland.
Yuexin Yang *
National institute for Nutrition and Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Objectives: To provide scientific and practical criteria for Nutrient Profiles (NP) in China in order to evaluate the overall nutritional quality of solid pre-packaged food according to their nutrient composition.
Methods: Based on data obtained from a survey of experts’ grading of foods available in China, a NP model was established, which covered scope of application, choice and balance of nutrients, choice of benchmarks and algorithm used.
Results: A NP model for solid foods was established as a scoring model, the reference amount was 100 g. The recommended intake standards were Nutrient Reference Value (NRV) in labeling regulation. Nutrients taken into account included qualifying nutrients (dietary fiber, vitamin C) and disqualifying nutrients (total fat, saturated fatty acid (SFA), sodium). A total score was calculated as (score of dietary fiber + score of vitamin C) – (score of total fat + score of SFA + score of sodium). Foods with a total score ≤-5were qualified as "less healthy", a score of -4 ≤ total score ≤ 2 was "intermediate" and a total score ≥3 indicated "healthier".
Conclusion: A NP model for pre-packaged foods in China was established that can be used to assess and compare the impact of different foods on diet, and help decide which pre-packaged foods are qualified to carry nutrition and health claims.
Keywords: Nutrient profiles, nutritional quality, solid pre-packaged food