International collaborative project to compare and track the nutritional composition of fast foods
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Date
Authors
Allemandi, Lorena
Neal, Bruce
Dunford, Elizabeth
Hassell, Trevor
Wenzel de Menezes, Elizabete
L’Abbe, Mary
Yan, Li
Blanco-Metzler, Adriana
Valdes, Lourdes
Ortiz, Johana
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BioMed Central
Abstract
Background: Chronic diseases are the leading cause of premature death and disability in the world with
over-nutrition a primary cause of diet-related ill health. Excess quantities of energy, saturated fat, sugar and salt
derived from fast foods contribute importantly to this disease burden. Our objective is to collate and compare
nutrient composition data for fast foods as a means of supporting improvements in product formulation.
METHODS/DESIGN: Surveys of fast foods will be done in each participating country each year. Information on the
nutrient composition for each product will be sought either through direct chemical analysis, from fast food
companies, in-store materials or from company websites. Foods will be categorized into major groups for the
primary analyses which will compare mean levels of saturated fat, sugar, sodium, energy and serving size at
baseline and over time. Countries currently involved include Australia, New Zealand, France, UK, USA, India, Spain,
China and Canada, with more anticipated to follow.
DISCUSSION: This collaborative approach to the collation and sharing of data will enable low-cost tracking of fast
food composition around the world. This project represents a significant step forward in the objective and
transparent monitoring of industry and government commitments to improve the quality of fast foods.
Description
Keywords
Food composition database, Food industry, Fast food, Monitoring
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
The Food Monitoring Group: International collaborative project to compare and track the nutritional composition of fast foods. BMC Public Health 2012 12:559.