Labeling food products for breastfeeding infants and toddlers

• Autor(a) principal: Almeida da SILVA, Sheylle
• Data de Publicação: 2023
• Outros Autores: de Moura DIAS, Márcia Regina, Aparecida Pinto de Castro FERREIRA, Tânia
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Revista de Nutrição
• Texto Completo: https://periodicos.puc-campinas.edu.br/nutricao/article/view/9571
• topic: Breast feeding; Infant formula; Food promotion; Food labeling; Breast-milk substitutes; Aleitamento materno; Fórmulas infantis; Promoção de alimentos; Rotulagem de alimentos; Substitutos do leite humano

ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to analyze label conformity of foods for infants and lactating women according to ethical principles and current regulations. MethodsA total of 86 labels acquired by free access and intentional sampling were analyzed, distributed as follows: infant formulas (n=11), follow-on formulas (n=5), complementary foods (n=07), cereal products (n=11), milk and foods containing vegetables (n=52), and food commonly used to feed this population (n=13). Structured forms were filled out with items from the Resoluções da Diretoria Colegiada (Graduated Board Resolutions) 222/02, 977/98, 40/01, 40/02, 259/02, 23/00 and of the Portarias (rules) 34/98 and 36/98 for each food. The chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test and correlation test were used for data analysis. ResultsThe rate of specific label non-conformity was much greater than that of general labeling. The highest rate of non-conformity was observed in the presentation of illustrations of the foods (images of breastfeeding infants or children with humanized images). Other non-conformities were: the presence of words such as humanized milk, baby or phrases that give a false idea of advantage or safety; the absence of mandatory phrases and non-conformity regarding the composition of the food. Foods that did not have as sales designation any of the characteristics of common use in this age group, that is, that were not marketed as such, such aslacteal flour, cereal flakes and paps presented warning phrases that were not necessarily for that kind of product. ConclusionLabels of foods for breastfeeding infants and toddlers are irregular in many ways, especially regarding the specific labeling of the product. This practice may influence breastfeeding. More inspection is needed as well as more explanations to the food industries and to the consumers in general.