TAMANHO DA PORÇÃO E GORDURA TRANS: OS RÓTULOS DE ALIMENTOS INDUSTRIALIZADOS BRASILEIROS ESTÃO ADEQUADOS?

Abstract

Objective: To associate serving size and trans fat on the nutrition facts label of packaged foods commercialized in a Brazilian supermarket. Methods: The serving size was categorized according to the Brazilian law and the trans fat occurrence was determined by the ingredient list statement of hydrogenated fats designations. The false negative prevalence was estimated considering the products that reported nonoccurrence of hydrogenated fat on the nutrition facts, but contained this fat in the ingredient list. Chi-square and ANOVA tests were used, considering as statistically significant p-value <0.05. Results: Half of the products examined presented trans fat on the ingredient list and, comparing to the nutrition facts, almost 40% were false negative. The trans fat and false negative rate increased to the maximum size allowed for the serving and decreased in the products with a serving size above the allowed limit. For products classified as ready for consumption, a similar pattern of energy density and the occurrence of trans fat on the ingredient list was observed; however, for false negative rate, this association was reversed. Conclusions: The information of serving size can be related to the occurrence of trans fat on the nutrition facts of packaged foods. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.12957/demetra.2015.12981

Keywords

• ácidos graxos trans
• rotulagem de alimentos
• porção de alimento.