Nutrients of concern for older infants and young children in packaged food products available in Nepali retail stores

Background

Nepali older infants and young children (IYC) are increasingly consuming packaged foods. However, energy and nutrients of concern in these products (total sugar, added sugar, total fat, saturated fat, sodium, and non-sugar sweeteners) have not been assessed. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess energy and nutrients of concern in packaged foods available to older IYC in retail stores in Nepal using thresholds from the WHO Southeast Asia Region Nutrient Profile Model (SEAR NPM).

Methods

Nutrition labels on packaged food products for sale in a cross-section of 4 large stores (2 supermarkets, 2 departmental stores) and 22 small (corner) stores were photographed by three trained researchers. Ingredients, energy and nutrients of concern were extracted from the labels. Products were categorised into 14 food groups using the SEAR NPM with the primary outcome being the proportion of products exceeding thresholds for one or more nutrients of concern.

Findings

We found 2001 unique packaged food products, of which 1525 (76.0%) contained all requisite and readable nutrition information on the labels. Of 1525 products, 1323 products (86.8%) exceeded one or more SEAR NPM thresholds for energy and nutrients of concern and/or contained NSS. Most products exceeded the threshold for total energy (94.9%), followed by 79.7%, 72.5%, 71.4%, 55.3%, and 55.1% of products exceeding the threshold for total sugar, total fat, saturated fat, added sugar, and sodium respectively. By food category, almost all bakery products (99.7%), confectionery (99.6%), savoury snacks (99.2%), and water-based flavoured drinks (98.3%), most frozen dairy based desserts and edible ices (88.4%), approximately three-quarters of instant noodles and soups (75.6%), half of the cereals (54.0%), juices (50.0%), and milk and dairy-based drinks (46.0%) exceeded one or more of the SEAR NPM thresholds for energy and nutrients of concern and/or contained NSS.

Interpretation

Our findings suggest that regulatory measures are needed to limit exposure to and consumption of packaged foods by older IYC given the number of products exceeding thresholds for energy and one or more of the nutrients of concern.

Funding

NS was supported by Deakin University Postgraduate Research Scholarship and CR was supported by a Deakin University Post-Doctoral Fellowship.