Appropriate provision of information regarding food, including foodstuff labeling, is considered to be an efficient tool to promote healthy lifestyle and ensure a safe use of foods. Research conducted in Lithuania indicate that just a small percentage of Lithuanian residents choose foods to prevent disease, however, there is a lack of data concerning the links between food information and the choice of foods of Lithuanian adults. The aim of the study is to investigate and evaluate the links between food information and choice of foodstuffs from a public health viewpoint. The results of the research show, that most of Lithuanian adult residents consider that food labelling information is not fully comprehensible and legible. Lithuanian adult residents reported that their food choice is mostly influenced by the minimum durability date, price and country of origin. More than half of Lithuanian adult residents wish nutrition labelling information to be presented on food labels. Females more than males, higher educated persons more than lower educated persons are interested in nutrition labelling information. From the public health viewpoint, significant links between Lithuanian adult residents’ dietary habits and their attitudes towards information about food were not found, however, those who had a healthier diet were more likely to wish nutrition labelling, its placement on the most visible side of the food package and information not only about fats, carbohydrates, proteins... [to full text] / Tinkamas informacijos apie maistą pateikimas, įskaitant maisto produktų ženklinimą, yra svarbi priemonė skatinti sveikatą stiprinantį gyvenimo būdą ir užtikrinti saugų maisto produktų vartojimą. Lietuvoje atliktų tyrimų duomenys rodo, kad ligų profilaktikos tikslu maisto produktus renkasi tik nedidelė dalis gyventojų, tačiau trūksta duomenų apie tai, kokios yra gyventojų maisto produktų pasirinkimo sąsajos su informacija apie maistą. Šio darbo tikslas – ištirti ir įvertinti informacijos apie maistą sąsajas su Lietuvos suaugusių gyventojų maisto produktų pasirinkimu visuomenės sveikatos požiūriu. Tyrimo rezultatai rodo, kad daugumos Lietuvos suaugusių gyventojų nuomone, maisto produktų ženklinimo informacija nėra visiškai suprantama ir aiškiai įskaitoma. Lietuvos suaugę gyventojai kaip labiausiai maisto produktų pasirinkimui darančią įtaką ženklinimo informaciją nurodė maisto produktų tinkamumo vartoti terminą, kainą ir kilmės šalį. Daugiau kaip pusė jų pageidauja, kad ženklinant maisto produktus būtų pateikiama maistingumo informacija. Labiausiai pageidaujama informacijos apie maisto produkto energinę vertę, riebalus, cholesterolį ir vitaminus. Daugiau moterų negu vyrų, aukštesnį išsilavinimą negu žemesnį išsilavinimą turinčių gyventojų domisi informacija apie maisto produktų maistingumą. Vertinant visuomenės sveikatos požiūriu, nenustatyta reikšmingų sąsajų tarp Lietuvos suaugusių gyventojų nuomonės apie informaciją apie maistą ir jų mitybos įpročių, tačiau sveikiau... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]

The 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) revealed many indicators of poor diet quality in Canada which, together with the high rates of obesity and diet-related chronic disease, suggest that shifts in dietary patterns are urgently needed. Given the widespread promotion of foods on the basis of nutrition and health, the aim of this work was to explore the population health implications of voluntary food fortification and nutrition-related marketing in Canada. Using the CCHS, the potential impact of a proposed discretionary food fortification policy on nutrient inadequacies and excesses was examined, in addition to the relationship between consumption of foods eligible to be fortified under this policy and indicators of dietary quality. To better understand the potential risk associated with liberal fortification practices, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-08) was used to examine potential for risk of excess associated with voluntarily fortified food consumption in the US, where these practices have long been permitted. The results suggest that proposed changes to voluntary fortification may reduce inadequacy and increase excess, and may reinforce poor diet patterns. Excessive nutrient intakes were also found to be associated with consumption of voluntarily fortified foods in the US, particularly among children. Therefore, there appears to be real potential for risk associated with voluntary fortification practices in Canada. The extent, nature, and population health implications of nutrition marketing in Canada was examined, using a survey of front-of-package nutrition-related marketing on foods within three large grocery stores in Toronto. Nutrition-related marketing was found on 41% of all foods surveyed, and was widely found on highly processed, often fortified foods. References to nutrients of public health concern (e.g. sodium, vitamin D) were infrequently found. Overall, this practice provides limited nutritional guidance. Current directions in nutrition policy in Canada should be re-evaluated, to ensure that they support healthy diet patterns.