AVALIAÇÃO DA ROTULAGEM DE ALIMENTOS ULTRAPROCESSADOS COMERCIALIZADOS EM URUANA-GO: TEORES DE AÇÚCAR, GORDURA E SÓDIO

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the labeling of ultra-processed foods sold in Uruana- GO, with emphasis on sugar, fat, and sodium content. Eight (8) categories of ultra- processed food products were selected (filled biscuits, soft drinks, ice cream,

chocolates, butter, margarine, Calabrese sausage, and mortadella), with between four (4) and 17 brands per category, available on supermarket shelves. Products were chosen that had a warning label or magnifying glass on their packaging indicating "high sugar content," "saturated fat," or "sodium." The information on the product labels was photographed (front and back) using a cell phone and systematically recorded. The values for total sugar, added sugar, total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium, as declared on the labels, were recorded in Excel spreadsheets. Subsequently, tables and histograms were created with the values per 100 g or 100 mL of the products. The warning magnifying glass symbol on the packaging was also observed, especially when there were two, indicating high levels of more than one component, such as sugar and fat or sodium and fat. The saturated fat content of the margarine brands exceeded the limit established by current legislation, which is 6g, while sodium levels were within the maximum permitted limit of 0,6 g. In the butter brands, saturated fat content varied between 40 g and 57 g, exceeding the established limit. Most soft drink brands did not receive the magnifying glass warning, although some presented 7,4 g of added sugar, a value very close to the established limit. Of the 17 ice cream brands evaluated, only four (Brands B, I, J, K) did not have the high added sugar label, as they contained less than 15g, the limit established for solid and semi-solid foods. Only one brand of filled biscuit (Brand M) did not receive the warning label for high added sugar content, as all the others presented values higher than 11 g. All brands of Calabrese-type sausage have warning labels, in this case two, for sodium and saturated fat, where the recommended levels would be 0,6 g for sodium and 6 g for saturated fat. All brands of mortadella received warning labels indicating high levels of saturated fat and sodium. All chocolates analyzed received warning labels indicating high levels of added sugar and saturated fat. The analysis of the amount of fat in margarine and butter reveals that both products have high levels, but butter contains a higher proportion of saturated fat, while margarine tends to have a lower saturated fat content. During the research, it was observed that many products had two warning

labels indicating high levels of sugar and saturated fat. Significant changes in the chemical composition of the products were observed, exceeding the limits established by legislation, with a general increase in saturated fat and a reduction in trans fat. The added salt content remains high, and the sugar content has increased. Keywords: Consumer info