Metodologia baby food no Brasil: uma avaliação do perfil do processamento de alimentos comerciais destinados crianças de 0 a 36 meses

Abstract

The World Health Assembly has developed strategies to combat the inadequate promotion of commercial infant foods, due to the increased consumption of processed foods and their negative repercussions on eating practices, warning of the need to evaluate these foods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the processing profile of commercial foods intended for children aged 0 to 36 months and to compare the characteristics of the label and nutritional profile according to the type of processing. This is a quantitative, cross-sectional and exploratory study conducted from November / 2018 to April / 2019, with analysis of infant foods sold in establishments of the highest and lowest per capita income in the city of Natal-RN, Brazil, which had indication on the label for the age range 0 to 36 months. The design, collection and part of the data analysis followed the methodology of the Baby Food`s methodology developed by the World Health Organization. The label information was entered into the Baby Food mobile app and analyzed the type of food, age group, health claims, visual identity and nutrient claims. From the list of ingredients the food was characterized by the NOVA classification as minimally processed, processed or ultra-processed. Energy density (kcal), total fat (g), saturated (g) and trans (g), carbohydrate (g), protein (g), fiber (g) and sodium (mg) were also evaluated per 100g and portion and compared according to type of processing. 100 different supermarkets, mini markets, pharmacies and bakeries were consulted, and 1645 products with 95 different foods were inserted. The most foods were breastmilk substitutes (31.6%, n = 30), followed by cereal foods (26.3%, n = 25) and meat or chicken meals (15, 8%, n = 15). Regarding processing, 79% (n = 75) were classified as ultra-processed foods and most of which were breast milk substitutes and cereals, intended for children under 12 months, with visual information on the label, fortified with vitamins and minerals and they had not claims of health. Regarding the nutritional profile, the ultra-processed foods had 472.9 Kcal / 100 g, that them 8.8% from protein, 60.1% from carbohydrates and 31.1% from fat, and presented higher energy content, fats, carbohydrates, protein and sodium than other types of processing (p<0.05). There was a predominance of ultra-processed baby foods in the market with a higher energy density, fat, carbohydrate and sodium profile, which may affect the quality of the diet in childhood. These results serve as a warning for the adoption of complementary strategies to the regulation of infant foods, as this availability of ultra-processed foods goes against the current strategies to promotion healthy diets to children under 2 years in Brazil, and the FAO recommendation that shows an association between the consumption of ultraprocessed foods and the appearance of chronic diseases and low quality of the diet, advising that the consumption of ultra-processed foods be avoided in this phase.