Food and Beverage Options at Highway Rest Areas in North Carolina: A Mixed-Methods Audit and Geospatial Approach.

INTRODUCTION: Each year, millions of people purchase food at highway rest areas. Rest areas are potential sites for health promotion because they are operated by the public sector; they are frequently visited by professional truck drivers, who have a disproportionate burden of chronic disease; and they are easily accessible. To our knowledge, no research has systematically examined the healthfulness of food offerings at rest areas. The objective of this study was to determine the accessibility and healthfulness of food and beverages offered at highway rest areas in North Carolina using a mixed-methods audit and geospatial approach. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional audit of all rest areas offering foods and beverages in North Carolina (N = 30) in summer 2018. We used the Nutrition Environment Measures Survey-Vending (NEMS-V) to record the 1) type, price, and size of all foods and beverages and 2) healthfulness of items offered (based on NEMS-V categorization). Two researchers independently double coded NEMS-V data. We used geospatial analysis to examine proximity of rest areas to food stores. We analyzed data by using univariate and bivariate analysis. RESULTS: The mean number of vending machines per site was 8.0 (range, 2-12, standard deviation, 2.8). The healthfulness of offerings varied across sites. Most food items (88.1%; 2,922 of 3,315) and beverage items (63.7%; 1,567 of 2,459) were classified as least healthful. Cold beverage machines had a greater percentage of healthful items (38.2%; 778 of 2,036) than snack machines (11.4%; 374 of 3,270) (P < .001), mainly because of water and diet soda in beverage machines. CONCLUSION: Policy changes are needed to increase the number and presentation of healthful food options at highway rest areas. Policy changes could provide travelers with more healthful options conveniently located along their travel route.

Association between state school nutrition laws and subsequent child obesity.

Many states have enacted laws to improve school nutrition. We tested whether stronger state nutrition laws are associated with subsequently decreased obesity. We conducted a retrospective national multi-year panel data study (analyzed 2014-2016 at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia). The predictors were 2010 laws regarding 9 nutrition categories from the Classification of Laws Associated with School Students, which grades the strength of state laws (none, weak, or strong). The outcome was weight status (healthy weight, overweight, or obese) in elementary, middle, and high school from the 2011/2012 National Survey of Children's Health. We tested the association between the strength of laws and weight using multinomial logistic regression. To further evaluate our main results, we conducted state-level longitudinal analyses testing the association between competitive food and beverage laws on the change in obesity from 2003-2011. In main analyses of 40,177 children ages 10-17years, we found strong state laws restricting the sale of competitive food and beverages in elementary school (OR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.48, 0.96) and strong advertising laws across all grades (OR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.46, 0.86) were associated with reduced odds of obesity. In longitudinal analyses, states with strong competitive food and beverage laws from 2003-2010 had small but significant decreases in obesity, compared to states with no laws. Although further research is needed to determine the causal effect of these laws, this study suggests that strong state laws limiting the sale and advertising of unhealthy foods and beverages in schools are associated with decreased obesity rates.

Pattern of beverage intake and milk and dairy products sufficiency among high-school students in Kuwait.

High consumption of soft drinks has been associated with lower intakes of milk and calcium-rich foods and higher body mass index (BMI). This study aimed to explore the pattern of beverage intake among Kuwaiti high-school students. A questionnaire on knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning beverages and milk and dairy products intake was completed by 190 Kuwaiti students aged 16-18 years and BMI was calculated for 181 of them. Intake of sweetened carbonated beverages and to a lesser extent packaged fruit juices affected the sufficiency of milk and dairy products intake among the sample of high-school students in Kuwait. Although BMI was not related to milk and dairy insufficiency, more of the overweight and obese students displayed incorrect practices. Nutritional education of high-school students on the importance of milk and dairy products as well as the hazards of excess sweetened carbonated beverages and packaged juice is recommended to prevent the obesity epidemic prevailing in Kuwait.

Does the EU sugar policy reform increase added sugar consumption? An empirical evidence on the soft drink market.

Whereas National Health authorities recommend a decrease in the consumption of 'added' sugar, a reform on the sugar market will lead to a 36% decrease of the sugar price in the EU. Using French data on soft drinks purchases, this paper investigates the anticipated impact of this reform on the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. The reform of the EU sugar policy leads to a decrease in regular soft drink prices by 3% and varies across brands. To assess substitution within this food category, we use a random-coefficients logit model that takes into account a large number of differentiated products and heterogeneity in consumers' behavior. Results suggest that price changes would lead to an increase in market shares of regular products by 7.5% and to substitutions between brands to the benefit of products with the highest sugar content. On the whole, it would raise consumption of regular soft drinks by more than 1 litre per person per year and consumption of added sugar by 124 g per person per year, this increase being larger in households composed of overweight and obese individuals.

Field-amplified sample injection-micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography for the analysis of bisphenol A, bisphenol F, and their diglycidyl ethers and derivatives in canned soft drinks.

Conditions were established for the separation and analysis of bisphenol A, bisphenol F, and their diglycidyl ethers by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MECC). Good resolution was obtained for all compounds, although in order to achieve the separation of ortho-ortho, ortho-para, and para-para isomers of bisphenol F diglycidyl ether (BFDGE), BFDGE x 2H(2)O and BFDGE x 2HCl, it was necessary to use a 25 microm id fused silica capillary. To increase sensitivity, a field-amplified sample injection (FASI)-MECC method was developed using 10 mM SDS solution as injection matrix and a 75 microm id fused silica capillary. Instrumental quality parameters such as LODs (<55 microg/L with standards), linearity (r(2)>0.999), and run-to-run and day-to-day precisions (RSD values lower than 12.5%) were determined. Finally, the suitability of the FASI-MECC method for the analysis of bisphenol A, bisphenol F, and their diglycidyl ethers in canned soft drinks was evaluated. Quantitation was performed by matrix-matched calibration using a plastic-bottled isotonic drink as matrix. The results showed that FASI-MECC is an economic method for the screening and quantitation of these kinds of compounds in soft drink beverages, with no loss of reproducibility, and effective at concentrations lower than the specific migration level values established by the European Union.

Aspartame and Phe-Containing Degradation Products in Soft Drinks across Europe.

Phenylketonuria and tyrosinemia type 1 are treated with dietary phenylalanine (Phe) restriction. Aspartame is a Phe-containing synthetic sweetener used in many products, including many 'regular' soft drinks. Its amount is (often) not declared; therefore, patients are advised not to consume aspartame-containing foods. This study aimed to determine the variation in aspartame concentrations and its Phe-containing degradation products in aspartame-containing soft drinks. For this, an LC-MS/MS method was developed for the analysis of aspartame, Phe, aspartylphenylalanine, and diketopiperazine in soft drinks. In total, 111 regularly used soft drinks from 10 European countries were analyzed. The method proved linear and had an inter-assay precision (CV%) below 5% for aspartame and higher CVs% of 4.4-49.6% for the degradation products, as many concentrations were at the limit of quantification. Aspartame and total Phe concentrations in the aspartame-containing soft drinks varied from 103 to 1790 µmol/L (30-527 mg/L) and from 119 to 2013 µmol/L (20-332 mg/L), respectively, and were highly variable among similar soft drinks bought in different countries. Since Phe concentrations between drinks and countries highly vary, we strongly advocate the declaration of the amount of aspartame on soft drink labels, as some drinks may be suitable for consumption by patients with Phe-restricted diets.

Hospitals lead by poor example: An assessment of snacks, soda, and junk food availability in Veterans Affairs hospitals.

OBJECTIVE: The Veterans Health Administration is the largest integrated health care system fully funded through the US government; however, compliance with government dietary recommendations within Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals is not well known. The aim of this study was to determine which foods are available at VA hospitals and whether these foods comply with government recommendations. METHODS: Process verification for a Freedom of Information Act request was used to assess government-run inpatient and outpatient VA hospital facilities by accessing the location, quantity, and contents of vending machines. These foods and beverages were then quantified and compared with the US Department of Agriculture Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020 (eighth edition). RESULTS: Of the beverages supplied, 49% contained >55 g of sugar, supplying >10% of daily calories in added sugar in a single serving. Of all beverages, 50% contained >50 g of added sugar (range 17-77 g per bottle/can). The 65 available food items were comprised of 28% candy, 14% potato chips/puffed corn snacks, 11% pastries/frosted baked goods, 11% crackles/pretzels, and 8% nuts/trail mix, and the remainder consisted of jerky, pork rinds, gum, and popcorn. Nuts/trail mix and granola-items meeting nutritional guidelines-comprised five and three options in total, respectfully. CONCLUSIONS: All VA Hospitals contain vending machines providing a majority of soda, candy, and junk foods that directly conflict with healthy food choice recommendations from US governing health bodies. Few sources meeting US dietary guidelines are available in vending machines at these government-run facilities, which serve as poor examples for patients who are attempting to follow a healthy diet.

[Nonalcoholic carbonated beverage based on a potato concentrate].

The technology of reception of a concentrate is developed and introduced on the basis of potato, and also nonalcoholic aerated drink "Mikola" prepared on its basis. The major importance in formation organoleptic properties of a concentrate and a drink belongs to reaction melanoidin formation. The developed technologies can form a basis for creation of the whole spectrum of domestic soft drinks of the functional purpose.

Food Availability in School Stores in Seoul, South Korea After Implementation of Food- and Nutrient-Based Policies.

BACKGROUND: To improve school store food environments, the South Korean government implemented 2 policies restricting unhealthy food sales in school stores. A food-based policy enacted in 2007 restricts specific food sales (soft drinks); and a nutrient-based policy enacted in 2009 restricts energy-dense and nutrient-poor (EDNP) food sales. The purpose of the study was to assess how the 2 policies have changed the school store food environment. METHODS: Foods sold in school stores in Seoul, South Korea were observed before (2006, 15 stores) and after (2013, 12 stores) implementation of the school store policies. Food availability in school stores in 2006 and 2013 was compared and EDNP food availability in 2013 was examined. RESULTS: When controlling the total number of foods sold in school stores and school characteristics, the mean number of soft drinks sold in a school store in 2013 (0.3 items) was significantly lower than in 2006 (1.9 items, p = .032). Soft drinks were still available in 50% of school stores observed in 2013, with all school stores selling EDNP foods in 2013. CONCLUSIONS: South Korean policies have had a modest influence on availability of unhealthy school store foods. Alternative strategies to improve school store food environments are needed.

A new proposed guidance system for beverage consumption in the United States.

The Beverage Guidance Panel was assembled to provide guidance on the relative health and nutritional benefits and risks of various beverage categories. The beverage panel was initiated by the first author. The Panel's purpose is to attempt to systematically review the literature on beverages and health and provide guidance to the consumer. An additional purpose of the Panel is to develop a deeper dialog among the scientific community on overall beverage consumption patterns in the United States and on the great potential to change this pattern as a way to improve health. Over the past several decades, levels of overweight and obesity have increased across all population groups in the United States. Concurrently, an increased daily intake of 150-300 kcal (for different age-sex groups) has occurred, with approximately 50% of the increased calories coming from the consumption of calorically sweetened beverages. The panel ranked beverages from the lowest to the highest value based on caloric and nutrient contents and related health benefits and risks. Drinking water was ranked as the preferred beverage to fulfill daily water needs and was followed in decreasing value by tea and coffee, low-fat (1.5% or 1%) and skim (nonfat) milk and soy beverages, noncalorically sweetened beverages, beverages with some nutritional benefits (fruit and vegetable juices, whole milk, alcohol, and sports drinks), and calorically sweetened, nutrient-poor beverages. The Panel recommends that the consumption of beverages with no or few calories should take precedence over the consumption of beverages with more calories.

Ban leaves a sour taste.

Your online story says nurses and NHS staff face a ban on sugary drinks at work.

[CAFFEINE AND QUININE IN SOFT DRINKS; CONTRIBUTION TO THE DIETARY INTAKE]. / CAFEÍNA Y QUININA EN BEBIDAS REFRESCANTES; CONTRIBUCIÓN A LA INGESTA DIETÉTICA.

INTRODUCTION: soft drinks are becoming increasingly consumed by society. They are composed by a great variety of components, some of which can produce adverse effects if they are frequently consumed in high levels. OBJECTIVES: determine caffeine and quinine concentration to prove that those concentration levels are lower than the legal limits allowed and calculate the contribution to dietary intake to obtain the Estimated Daily Intake. METHODS: levels of caffeine and quinine of the main brands of soft drinks were analyzed using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography technique. RESULTS: concentrations were obtained for all brands, and the medium level was estimated. CONCLUSIONS: it has been observed that in any case the maximum concentration limits are exceeded and the contribution to dietary intake doesn't mean adverse reaction.

Introducción: las bebidas refrescantes son cada vez más consumidas por la sociedad. Están compuestas por una gran variedad de sustancias, de las cuales algunas, si se consumen en dosis altas y con elevada frecuencia, pueden provocar efectos negativos. Objetivos: determinar la concentración de cafeína y quinina para comprobar si sus niveles se encuentran por debajo de los máximos permitidos por la reglamentación técnico-sanitaria vigente y calcular la contribución a la ingesta dietética obteniendo la Ingesta Diaria Estimada. Método: se analizaron las concentraciones de cafeína y quinina en las principales marcas comerciales de refrescos, usando para ello la técnica de cromatografía líquida de alta resolución. Resultados: se obtuvieron concentraciones para todas las marcas analizadas, que permitieron estimar la media en cada una. Conclusiones: se ha observado que en ningún caso se superan las concentraciones máximas y que la contribución a la ingesta no genera aparición alguna de reacción adversa.

Ocular injuries from exploding beverage bottles.

Exploding glass bottles filled with carbonated beverages cause serious ocular injuries that have not received adequate attention in ophthalmic publications. All three patients described in this article had corneal lacerations and traumatic cataracts developed. One patient was left with an inoperable retinal detachment. Beverage bottles may explode with normal handling and without provocation. Manufacturing standards have just taken effect that may help to eliminate defective bottles. The addition of plastic sleeves to beverage bottles and the use of plastic shatterproof bottles also reduce the hazard of explosions and high velocity fragments. It is advisable to avoid subjecting beverage bottles to undue heat and agitation and to direct the cap away from the face when opening the bottle.

Ocular injuries from carbonated soft drink bottle explosions.

Sixteen cases of ocular injuries serious enough to require admission to Ibn-Sina Hospital, Kuwait, Arabian Gulf, due to explosion of glass bottles of carbonated soft drinks are reported over a period of 14 months from the beginning of July 1981 to the end of August 1982. Prevalence was much greater in the summer months and among children. Explosions of bottles without prior agitation occurred in 11 cases (68.7%). High environmental temperature and defective bottles were the most important predisposing factors. Preventive measures we suggest are better standards for manufacturers, more careful inspection of returnable bottles to detect defective ones, a separate detailed warning label on all bottles, and health education especially of school children about this and other risks of serious injury to the eyes and other parts of the body.

Food sources of added sweeteners in the diets of Americans.

OBJECTIVE: To identify food sources of added sweeteners in the US diet. DESIGN: A descriptive study using data from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) 1994-1996 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals. Each subject provided one 24-hour dietary recall. Intake of added sweeteners was calculated using the USDA Food Guide Pyramid servings database. SUBJECTS/SETTING: A national sample of noninstitutionalized persons aged 2 years and older (N = 15,010). STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Mean intakes of added sweeteners from all food sources and from specific food categories; percentage contribution of added sweeteners to total energy intake; and percentage contribution of each food category to total intake of added sweeteners. All analyses were conducted for the total sample and for 12 age-gender groups. RESULTS: During 1994 to 1996, Americans aged 2 years and older consumed the equivalent of 82 g carbohydrate per day from added sweeteners, which accounted for 16% of total energy intake. In absolute terms, adolescent males consumed the most; as a percentage of energy, male and female adolescents had the highest intakes (averaging 20% of total energy from added sweeteners). The largest source of added sweeteners was regular soft drinks, which accounted for one third of intake. Other sources were table sugars, syrups, and sweets; sweetened grains; regular fruitades/drinks; and milk products. APPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: Intakes of added sweeteners exceed levels compatible with meeting current dietary recommendations. Knowing food sources of added sweeteners for the overall population and for specific age-gender groups can help dietitians provide appropriate nutrition education.

[Electrochemical methods of control of iodine contents in drinks]. / Elektrokhimicheskie metody dlia kontrolia soderzhaniia ioda v napitkakh.

The simple and express methods of determination of iodide ions (0.01-0.20 mg/decimeter3) in iodine-enriched drinks by potentiometry and inversion voltamperometry were developed. The studies on influencing a storage time hermetically packaged carbonated beverages, a storage time of the depressurized drinks, stuff of ware on the contents of iodine in drinks are held.