Do Brazilian consumers intend to use food labels to make healthy food choices? An assessment before the front-of-package labelling policy.

Front-of-package labelling is a measure that can facilitate consumption of healthier foods. This study examined the predictors of consumers' intentions to use food labelling to make healthy food choices and prevent non-communicable diseases before the implementation of the front-of-package labelling policy in Brazil. An extended theory of planned behaviour incorporating knowledge and food literacy served as the theoretical foundation. First, experts (n = 6) and the target population (n = 30) validated the questionnaire, and the validation data were analysed using content validity coefficients (CVC). An online questionnaire was administered to 783 participants, and data were collected between May and October 2022. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the prediction hypothesis. The questionnaire showed adequate content validity, with all indicators of CVC ≥ 0.75. In the PLS-SEM attitudes (p < 0.001), subjective norms (p < 0.001), knowledge (p < 0.001), and food literacy (p < 0.001) positively predicted the intention to use food labels to make healthy food choices, confirming the main hypothesis. Also, Food literacy and knowledge predicted all constructs of the theory of planned behaviour (p < 0.001). The results highlight the importance of providing nutritional knowledge and food literacy, developing nutritional skills and abilities to encourage consumers to make healthy food choices, and to strengthen other policies such as front-of-package labelling.

Proposal of a new method for the risk scoring and categorization of Brazilian food services.

Risk scores are used worldwide to predict foodborne disease (FBD) outbreaks in the food service industry. This study aims to develop and validate a new method for the calculation of the FBD risk score for the checklist used to categorize food service outlets. The proposed novel method is based on a risk score for each item using a risk matrix (consequence × probability), overcoming the limitations of the previous scoring process used during the World Cup in Brazil, which was based on a factorial analysis. The classification of consequences was based on critical points identified by experts prior to the World Cup in Brazil. Probability was defined based on the violation percentage of each item evaluated during inspections from 1536 food service outlets. Validation was performed using a secondary database of 3072 food service assessments in two inspection cycles. The risk scores of the new method were compared with those used during the World Cup. Each food service was classified based on their risk score into four categories: A, B, C, and pending. Good concordance (Lin's correlation coefficient = 0.8711 and 0.9205) was observed between the new and previous scores in the two inspection cycles, respectively. Comparison of the classifications showed substantial agreement (Kappa = 0.749, p < 0.001) to the first inspection cycle and near-perfect agreement (Kappa = 0.821; p < 0.001) to the second inspection cycle. This new method allows the inclusion and exclusion of assessment elements depending on local reality. Simpler methods can be used throughout Brazil and serve as a model for other countries' food safety assessments.

[Water safety and quality and school feeding: approaches in Latin America and the CaribbeanInocuidade e qualidade da água e alimentação escolar: abordagens na América Latina e no Caribe]. / Inocuidad y calidad del agua y alimentación escolar: enfoques en América Latina y el Caribe.

Objective: Identify approaches to water safety and quality in documents describing school feeding programs in Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries. Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional, exploratory study of documents on school feeding in LAC countries and territories. A documentary analysis was carried out and four initial categories were determined: "water for consumption", "water for hygiene", "water for food preparation", and "local/family agriculture", according to the use of water in school feeding programs. Documents were identified in 2018 and 2019 on the official websites of LAC countries and territories, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, and the World Food Programme. Absolute and relative frequencies were obtained for quantitative data; thematic content analysis was applied to qualitative data. Results: Of the 114 documents analyzed, 29 were eligible. In the categories "water for consumption", "water for hygiene" and "water for food preparation", the only characteristic attributed to water was that it be potable. In the category "local/family farming", no approaches were found that addressed water for irrigation. Conclusion: The documents address water, but do not focus on its safety and quality. Governments and local authorities should review their documents and ensure that their approaches are mutually coherent and based on intersectoral support and dialogue to achieve the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Objetivo: Identificar as abordagens sobre a inocuidade e qualidade da água em documentos que descrevem os programas de alimentação escolar nos países da América Latina e do Caribe (ALC). Métodos: Estudo descritivo, transversal e exploratório de documentos sobre alimentação escolar nos países e territórios da ALC. Foi realizada uma análise documental e, a priori, foram determinadas quatro categorias: "água para consumo", "água para higiene", "água para preparo" e "agricultura local/familiar", conforme o uso da água na alimentação escolar. Os documentos foram pesquisados durante 2018-2019 nos sites oficiais dos países e territórios da ALC, da Organização das Nações Unidas para a Alimentação e a Agricultura e do Programa Mundial de Alimentos. Foram obtidas as frequências absolutas e relativas dos dados quantitativos e, para os dados qualitativos, aplicou-se a análise de conteúdo do tipo temática. Resultados: Foram analisados 114 documentos, dos quais 29 eram elegíveis. As abordagens das categorias "água para consumo", "água para higiene" e "água para preparo" somente atribuíram à água a característica de ser potável. Na categoria "agricultura local/familiar" não foram encontradas abordagens sobre água para irrigação. Conclusão: Os documentos abordam a água, mas não focam em sua inocuidade e qualidade. Os governos e autoridades locais devem revisar seus documentos e garantir a unanimidade de abordagens com base no apoio e no diálogo intersetorial, a fim de alcançar as metas dos Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável.

Inocuidad y calidad del agua y alimentación escolar: enfoques en América Latina y el Caribe

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Identificar los enfoques sobre la inocuidad y calidad del agua en los documentos que describen los programas de alimentación escolar en los países de América Latina y el Caribe (ALC). Métodos. Estudio descriptivo, transversal y exploratorio de los documentos sobre alimentación escolar en los países y territorios de ALC. Se realizó el análisis documental y se determinaron a priori cuatro categorías: “agua para el consumo”, “agua para la higiene”, “agua para la preparación”, y “agricultura local/familiar” según el uso del agua en la alimentación escolar. Los documentos fueron buscados durante 2018-2019 en los sitios web oficiales de los países y territorios de ALC, la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Alimentación y Agricultura y el Programa Mundial de Alimentos. Se obtuvieron las frecuencias absolutas y relativas de los datos cuantitativos y para los datos cualitativos se aplicó el análisis de contenido del tipo temático. Resultados. Se analizaron 114 documentos, de los cuales 29 eran elegibles. Los enfoques de las categorías “agua para el consumo”, “agua para la higiene” y “agua para la preparación” solo atribuían al agua la característica de ser potable. En la categoría “agricultura local/familiar” no se encontraron enfoques sobre el agua para el riego. Conclusión. Los documentos abordan el agua, pero no se centran en su inocuidad y calidad. Los gobiernos y autoridades locales deben revisar sus documentos y garantizar la unanimidad de los enfoques a partir del apoyo y diálogo intersectorial para alcanzar las metas de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible.

[ABSTRACT]. Objective. Identify approaches to water safety and quality in documents describing school feeding programs in Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries. Methods. Descriptive, cross-sectional, exploratory study of documents on school feeding in LAC countries and territories. A documentary analysis was carried out and four initial categories were determined: “water for consumption”, “water for hygiene”, “water for food preparation”, and “local/family agriculture”, according to the use of water in school feeding programs. Documents were identified in 2018 and 2019 on the official websites of LAC countries and territories, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, and the World Food Programme. Absolute and relative frequencies were obtained for quantitative data; thematic content analysis was applied to qualitative data. Results. Of the 114 documents analyzed, 29 were eligible. In the categories “water for consumption”, “water for hygiene” and “water for food preparation”, the only characteristic attributed to water was that it be potable. In the category “local/family farming”, no approaches were found that addressed water for irrigation. Conclusion. The documents address water, but do not focus on its safety and quality. Governments and local authorities should review their documents and ensure that their approaches are mutually coherent and based on intersectoral support and dialogue to achieve the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals.

What Motivates Consumer Food Safety Perceptions and Beliefs? A Scoping Review in BRICS Countries.

This scoping review aimed to map the main evidence in the existing literature regarding consumer perceptions and beliefs regarding food safety in the context of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) countries. Articles were searched in the Web of Science, Scopus, and SciELO databases. The last search was performed on November 2021. Only the studies conducted within BRICS countries were included. The synthesis aimed to group similarities in consumer beliefs and perceptions of food safety. After screening, 74 eligible articles were included in the study. Of the 74 studies analyzed, 49 (66.2%) were carried out in China, 14 (18.9%) in Brazil, 5 (6.8%) in India,4 (5.4%) in South Africa, and 2 (2.7%) in Russia. Thirty-three motivators of perceptions and beliefs regarding food safety were identified. Food safety motivators were grouped into three categories: (1) sociodemographic characteristics, (2) cognitive aspects, and (3) other. In the "sociodemographic characteristics" category, the motivator with the highest number of corresponding results was education level (results = 22), followed by income (results = 22), both positive drivers for food safety perceptions. The "cognitive aspects" category comprised the majority of the identified motivators. Concern for food safety (results = 32) and risk perception (results = 30) were the motivators with the highest number of results among all categories and motivators. Finally, the main motivator in the "other" category was place of consumption/purchase (results = 8), focusing on consumers underestimating the risk of having a foodborne disease when eating away from home. China and Brazil are leading the way in studies on this topic. Consumers' perceptions are influenced by socioeconomic characteristics (e.g., age, gender, education level, income), cognitive aspects (e.g., knowledge, risk perception, food concerns, previous experience with food safety incidents) and other situational factors (e.g., price, place of purchase, traceability).

Behavioral predictors of household food-safety practices during the COVID-19 pandemic: Extending the theory of planned behavior.

The epidemiological scenario of COVID-19, social distancing, and business restrictions has increased food preparation and consumption at home. Food mishandling at home can significantly raise the risk of foodborne diseases. This study investigates food-mishandling behavior predictors by applying the extended theory of planned behavior (TPB), with the addition of knowledge and risk perception, to households during the COVID-19 pandemic. One thousand and sixty-eight consumers (n = 1068) in Brazil participated in this study before the COVID-19 vaccination period. Data were collected using an online questionnaire with 40 questions and different anchors; they were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The following original TPB factors positively affected the intention to implement safe food-handling practices: attitude (p < 0.001), perceived behavioral control (p < 0.001), and subjective norms (p < 0.001). More robust effects of attitude and perceived behavioral control on intention were also observed. Although food-safety knowledge did not affect intention (p = 0.30), it positively affected the other TPB factors. Perceived risk positively affected all TPB factors. The results of this study support the usefulness of TPB and its extension, providing evidence that public-health crises can contribute to changes in food-safety-related consumer behavior.

Inocuidad y calidad del agua y alimentación escolar: enfoques en América Latina y el Caribe / Water safety and quality and school feeding: approaches in Latin America and the Caribbean / Inocuidade e qualidade da água e alimentação escolar: abordagens na América Latina e no Caribe

RESUMEN Objetivo. Identificar los enfoques sobre la inocuidad y calidad del agua en los documentos que describen los programas de alimentación escolar en los países de América Latina y el Caribe (ALC). Métodos. Estudio descriptivo, transversal y exploratorio de los documentos sobre alimentación escolar en los países y territorios de ALC. Se realizó el análisis documental y se determinaron a priori cuatro categorías: "agua para el consumo", "agua para la higiene", "agua para la preparación", y "agricultura local/familiar" según el uso del agua en la alimentación escolar. Los documentos fueron buscados durante 2018-2019 en los sitios web oficiales de los países y territorios de ALC, la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Alimentación y Agricultura y el Programa Mundial de Alimentos. Se obtuvieron las frecuencias absolutas y relativas de los datos cuantitativos y para los datos cualitativos se aplicó el análisis de contenido del tipo temático. Resultados. Se analizaron 114 documentos, de los cuales 29 eran elegibles. Los enfoques de las categorías "agua para el consumo", "agua para la higiene" y "agua para la preparación" solo atribuían al agua la característica de ser potable. En la categoría "agricultura local/familiar" no se encontraron enfoques sobre el agua para el riego. Conclusión. Los documentos abordan el agua, pero no se centran en su inocuidad y calidad. Los gobiernos y autoridades locales deben revisar sus documentos y garantizar la unanimidad de los enfoques a partir del apoyo y diálogo intersectorial para alcanzar las metas de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible.

ABSTRACT Objective. Identify approaches to water safety and quality in documents describing school feeding programs in Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries. Methods. Descriptive, cross-sectional, exploratory study of documents on school feeding in LAC countries and territories. A documentary analysis was carried out and four initial categories were determined: "water for consumption", "water for hygiene", "water for food preparation", and "local/family agriculture", according to the use of water in school feeding programs. Documents were identified in 2018 and 2019 on the official websites of LAC countries and territories, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, and the World Food Programme. Absolute and relative frequencies were obtained for quantitative data; thematic content analysis was applied to qualitative data. Results. Of the 114 documents analyzed, 29 were eligible. In the categories "water for consumption", "water for hygiene" and "water for food preparation", the only characteristic attributed to water was that it be potable. In the category "local/family farming", no approaches were found that addressed water for irrigation. Conclusion. The documents address water, but do not focus on its safety and quality. Governments and local authorities should review their documents and ensure that their approaches are mutually coherent and based on intersectoral support and dialogue to achieve the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals.

RESUMO Objetivo. Identificar as abordagens sobre a inocuidade e qualidade da água em documentos que descrevem os programas de alimentação escolar nos países da América Latina e do Caribe (ALC). Métodos. Estudo descritivo, transversal e exploratório de documentos sobre alimentação escolar nos países e territórios da ALC. Foi realizada uma análise documental e, a priori, foram determinadas quatro categorias: "água para consumo", "água para higiene", "água para preparo" e "agricultura local/familiar", conforme o uso da água na alimentação escolar. Os documentos foram pesquisados durante 2018-2019 nos sites oficiais dos países e territórios da ALC, da Organização das Nações Unidas para a Alimentação e a Agricultura e do Programa Mundial de Alimentos. Foram obtidas as frequências absolutas e relativas dos dados quantitativos e, para os dados qualitativos, aplicou-se a análise de conteúdo do tipo temática. Resultados. Foram analisados ​​114 documentos, dos quais 29 eram elegíveis. As abordagens das categorias "água para consumo", "água para higiene" e "água para preparo" somente atribuíram à água a característica de ser potável. Na categoria "agricultura local/familiar" não foram encontradas abordagens sobre água para irrigação. Conclusão. Os documentos abordam a água, mas não focam em sua inocuidade e qualidade. Os governos e autoridades locais devem revisar seus documentos e garantir a unanimidade de abordagens com base no apoio e no diálogo intersetorial, a fim de alcançar as metas dos Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável.