Complementary nutritional information on sugary drinks consumed by teenagers and children

Abstract

Introduction: The labeling has a fundamental role for the consumer, supporting the choice of foods and being able to help in the prevention of obesity and overweight in children and adolescents; which are important public health problems in Brazil and  worldwide. The declaration of nutrients and energy value on food labels is mandatory. The declaration of complementary nutritional properties is optional for the manufacturer, but once declared, it requires compliance with current legislation. Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the labels of sugary drinks widely consumed by adolescents and children; analyzed at the Municipal Public Health Laboratory in Rio de Janeiro. Method: The data being extracted and analyzed from the Harpya Sample Management System. The evaluation of the labels considered items of the Collegiate Board Resolution of the National Health Surveillance Agency nº 54/2012. 226 sugary drinks were analyzed: powdered chocolate, soft drinks and tea with lemon, soy-based drink, milk drinks, fruit nectars, powdered drinks, natural guarana drinks, soft drinks, juices and blackcurrant syrup. Results: It was observed that 29.20% of the labels did not meet the criteria established in the legislation, and that the number of unsatisfactory labels was expressive mainly in juices (85.11%), with 97.50% of the non-conformities related to sugar declarations (attributes and expressions used). Conclusions: The work points to the relevance of the continuous monitoring of products on the market, contributing to the promotion of health and to an adequate diet in children and adolescents, in addition to avoiding the dissemination of misleading information to consumers.