Consumption frequency of ultra-processed foods and beverages among 6- to 36-month-olds in Kampala, Uganda.

The nutrition transition in sub-Saharan Africa has led to increased consumption of ultra-processed foods in infancy, especially sweet foods. This has heightened the risk for nutrition-related non-communicable diseases, including dental caries and overweight/obesity, and promotes poor food choices later in life. The present study used a cross-sectional design to investigate the consumption frequency of ultra-processed foods and beverages among urban 6- to 36-month-olds attending four selected health facilities in Kampala using a standardised questionnaire and 24-h diet recall record. The primary outcome was the consumption of at least one ultra-processed food or beverage (UPFB) the previous day, and frequency of UPFB consumption of the week before was the secondary outcome. Four hundred and ten caregiver-child pairs were randomly recruited, 94% of caregivers being mothers with a mean age of 30.7 (±5.3) years. Fifty-nine per cent of mothers and 73% of fathers had attained a college education. The median age of children was 18 months and 51% were female. Most children (57%) consumed at least one UPFB the previous day. In the week before, 69% had consumed UPFB frequently (4-7 days) which was significantly positively associated with maternal education (odds ratio [OR] = 2.85, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-7.96, p = 0.045) and child's age ([OR = 2.87, 95% CI: 1.62-5.08, p < 0.001], [OR = 3.68, 95% CI: 1.88-7.20, p < 0.001]). In conclusion, the dietary habits of the surveyed Ugandan population were unhealthy, characterised by the frequent consumption of UPFB with added sugar. There is an urgent need to re-enforce existing Ugandan food regulation guidelines and policies and to build strong nutritional education programmes to enhance health-promoting environments in early childhood.

Second-generation snacks prepared from quinoa with probiotic. Physicochemical properties, in vitro digestibility, antioxidant activity and consumer acceptability.

Food security is a pressing issue, emphasizing the necessity for food designs that address the current geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges. This study evaluates the impact of including different percentages (10 %, 20 %, 30 %, and 60 %) of high protein quinoa flour (HPQF) in the development of a new rice-based snack. The aim is to create four snack formulations with a protein content enriched with probiotics, surpassing those currently available in the market. Probiotics Bacillus coagulans were added at a 0.1 % concentration. Once the rice flour and quinoa flour are mixed, they are mixed with the probiotic, to move on to the extrusion process. Following the incorporation of probiotics, the snacks were packaged in a modified atmosphere, and their physicochemical properties, Bacillus coagulans probiotic viability, tolerance to artificial gastroenteric juice (TAGJ), starch digestibility, and sensory acceptance were assessed. Significant differences were observed in the expansion index, with the 60 % inclusion snack exhibiting the least expansion. Despite having a higher density, this snack reached a porosity index similar to that of the 20 % HPQF snack. Achieving a 17 % protein content in the snacks was possible with a 60 % inclusion rate. Texture was notably affected by the inclusion of HPQF, with snacks having higher inclusion levels showing increased hardness. Probiotic viability evaluation consistently remained above 106 UFC/g of snack, while TAGJ exhibited a viability of 75 %. Although HPQF inclusion led to a decrease in the glycemic index (GI), snacks still maintained a GI above 70 %. Regarding antioxidant properties, snacks with 60 % HPQF inclusion displayed superior results, reaching 35.29, 5.52, and 13.74 µmol of AA/g, measured via ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP methods, respectively. These findings demonstrate a heightened antioxidant capacity compared to other formulations. Our results indicate that the new probiotic snack serves as a rich source of protein and probiotics and is well-received sensorially. However, it is worth noting that it falls within the category of high GI foods, prompting the need for future studies aimed at reducing this parameter.

Acrylamide in alternative snacks to potato: A review.

The snack food market has been changing to keep up with the growing demand for healthier products and, as a result, alternative products to traditional potato chips have been emerging to provide health-related benefits. Extrusion, frying, and baking are the main techniques used worldwide in the processing of snacks and are among the main reasons for the formation of toxic compounds induced by heat, such as acrylamide. This contaminant is formed during thermal processing in foods heated at high temperatures and rich in carbohydrates. Processed potato-based products have been pointed out as the main contributors to acrylamide dietary exposure. Many studies have been conducted on potato chips since the discovery of this contaminant in foods and research on the formation of acrylamide in snacks from other vegetables has begun to be conducted more recently. Thus, this review aims to present a detailed discussion on the occurrence of acrylamide in alternative vegetable snacks that are consumed as being healthier and to address relevant questions about the effectiveness of mitigation strategies that have been developed for these products. Through this research, it was observed that, depending on the vegetable, the levels of this contaminant can be quite variable. Alternative snacks, such as sweet potato, carrot and beetroot may also contain high levels of acrylamide and need to be monitored even more closely than potatoes snacks, as less information is available on these food products. Furthermore, various pretreatments (e.g. bleaching, immersion in solutions containing chemical substances) and processing conditions (heating methods, time, temperature) can reduce the formation of acrylamide (54-99 %) in alternative vegetable snacks.

Fermented Unripe Banana Flour Utilization as a Functional Ingredient in Biscuits.

To prevent losses before consumption due to the rapid ripening of bananas, turning unripe bananas into flour and using it in bakery products can both enhance the functional properties of the product and transform bananas into a high-value product. In this study, it is aimed to enhance the functional properties of banana flour through fermentation, thereby investigating its potential use in the production of healthy snack biscuits which are widely consumed, especially by children and busy people. Different proportions (0%, 15%, and 30%) of unripe banana flour (UBF) and fermented unripe banana flour (FUBF) were added to biscuits, evaluating their impact on physical (color, diameter, thickness, spread ratio), textural (hardness), and functional properties (total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, dietary fiber, glycemic index). The effect of FUBF on biscuit spread ratio compared to UBF was positive (p < 0.05). The addition of UBF or FUBF significantly increased total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (p < 0.05), with the highest TPC (1167.88 mg GAE/kg) observed in biscuits containing 30% FUBF (p < 0.05). Fermentation showed no significant effect on antioxidant activity of samples (p > 0.05). The glycemic index (GI) values were notably high across all samples, with the control at 78.59 and the 30% FUBF sample at 72.74 (p < 0.05), indicating all samples fell into the high GI food category. Biscuit hardness decreased significantly with UBF or FUBF addition (p < 0.05), while fermentation had no significant impact on hardness (p > 0.05). This study underscores the potential of UBF or FUBF to contribute to healthier snack options with improved functional characteristics.

Cardiometabolic and Cellular Adaptations to Multiple vs. Single Daily HIIT Sessions in Wistar Rats: Impact of Short-Term Detraining.

Multiple short daily bouts of HIIT are more effective than single daily sessions in improving cardiometabolic and cellular adaptations in rats. We hypothesize that a short period of detraining is sufficient to abolish the superior adaptive responses to multiple versus single daily sessions of HIIT in rats. Male rats were divided into untrained, 1xHIIT, and 3xHIIT groups. Over eight weeks, the 1xHIIT group performed 115 min single daily sessions of HIIT, while the 3xHIIT group performed three 5 min sessions with 4 h intervals. After training, both groups remained sedentary for four weeks (detraining). Resting oxygen consumption (VO2), body composition, glucose/insulin tolerance, and blood pressure were recorded. After euthanasia, cardiac function/histology and gastrocnemius mitochondrial density were analyzed. After training, both 1xHIIT and 3xHIIT protocols induced similar improvements in VO2, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), cardiac function/hypertrophy, and gastrocnemius mitochondrial density. These effects were maintained even after detraining. Only the 3xHIIT protocol improved insulin sensitivity. After detraining, this effect was abolished. After training, both 1xHIIT and 3xHIIT protocols reduced adiposity. After detraining, the adiposity increased in both groups, with a more pronounced increase in the 3xHIIT rats. A four-week detraining period abolishes the superior adaptive responses to multiple versus single daily HIIT sessions in rats.

Adolescents' unhealthy snacking behaviour during the school journey and the association with transport modes and food outlets along the school route.

AIMS: Active transport to and from school provides an opportunity for adolescents to engage in physical activity, but travelling through an obesogenic environment may have unintended consequences on their snacking behaviour. This study aimed to: (1) identify whether adolescents' unhealthy snacking behaviour was associated with school transport modes and food outlets on their estimated school route and (2) explore whether food outlet density on the school route differed between school transport modes. METHODS: Adolescents (n = 406; aged 15.1 ± 1.4 years; 50.7% boys; 63.5% New Zealand European) from all 12 secondary schools in Dunedin city, Aotearoa New Zealand, completed an online survey. School transport modes (active, motorised or mixed) and unhealthy snacking data were collected. Food outlet data were collected using Google Places Application Programming Interface (API). Home-to-school route and distance were estimated using geographical information system (GIS) analysis based on a walkable road network. Data were analysed using the chi-square test and logistic regression. RESULTS: Overall, 26.4% of adolescents reported purchasing and consuming unhealthy snacks or soft drinks on the way to school and 41.4% from school. The odds of unhealthy snacking during the school journey was higher among mixed transport users than active transport users on the way to (odds ratio (OR) = 2.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.39-5.36) and from school (OR = 2.68, 95% CI = 1.40-5.13). No differences were observed by food outlet type. There were no food outlets on the estimated school route for 44.8% of adolescents. The presence of more than one food outlet per kilometre of the estimated school route differed between active (38.7%), motorised (42.6%) and mixed transport users (46.4%; p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: School transport modes were significantly associated with adolescents' unhealthy snacking behaviour and food outlets on their school journey. Policy measures which minimise exposure to unhealthy food outlets may reduce unhealthy snacking among adolescents.

Effects of Interrupting Prolonged Sitting with Light-Intensity Physical Activity on Inflammatory and Cardiometabolic Risk Markers in Young Adults with Overweight and Obesity: Secondary Outcome Analyses of the SED-ACT Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial.

Sedentary behavior (SB) is an essential risk factor for obesity, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. Though certain levels of physical activity (PA) may attenuate the detrimental effects of SB, the inflammatory and cardiometabolic responses involved are still not fully understood. The focus of this secondary outcome analysis was to describe how light-intensity PA snacks (LIPASs, alternate sitting and standing, walking or standing continuously) compared with uninterrupted prolonged sitting affect inflammatory and cardiometabolic risk markers. Seventeen young adults with overweight and obesity participated in this study (eight females, 23.4 ± 3.3 years, body mass index (BMI) 29.7 ± 3.8 kg/m2, glycated hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) 5.4 ± 0.3%, body fat 31.8 ± 8.2%). Participants were randomly assigned to the following conditions which were tested during an 8 h simulated workday: uninterrupted prolonged sitting (SIT), alternate sitting and standing (SIT-STAND, 2.5 h total standing time), continuous standing (STAND), and continuous walking (1.6 km/h; WALK). Each condition also included a standardized non-relativized breakfast and lunch. Venous blood samples were obtained in a fasted state at baseline (T0), 1 h after lunch (T1) and 8 h after baseline (T2). Inflammatory and cardiometabolic risk markers included interleukin-6 (IL-6), c-reactive protein (CRP), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TGs), visceral fat area (VFA), triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, two lipid ratio measures, TG/HDL-C and TC/HDL-C, albumin, amylase (pancreatic), total protein, uric acid, and urea. We found significant changes in a broad range of certain inflammatory and cardiometabolic risk markers during the intervention phase for IL-6 (p = 0.014), TG (p = 0.012), TC (p = 0.017), HDL-C (p = 0.020), LDL-C (p = 0.021), albumin (p = 0.003), total protein (p = 0.021), and uric acid (p = 0.040) in favor of light-intensity walking compared with uninterrupted prolonged sitting, alternate sitting and standing, and continuous standing. We found no significant changes in CRP (p = 0.529), creatinine (p = 0.199), TyG (p = 0.331), and the lipid ratios TG/HDL-C (p = 0.793) and TC/HDL-C (p = 0.221) in response to the PA snack. During a simulated 8 h work environment replacement and interruption of prolonged sitting with light-intensity walking, significant positive effects on certain inflammatory and cardiometabolic risk markers were found in young adults with overweight and obesity.

Health-Promoting Properties and the Use of Fruit Pomace in the Food Industry-A Review.

Fruit pomace, a by-product of the fruit industry, includes the skins, seeds, and pulp most commonly left behind after juice extraction. It is produced in large quantities: apple residues alone generate approximately 4 million tons of waste annually, which is a serious problem for the processing industry but also creates opportunities for various applications. Due to, among other properties, their high content of dietary fiber and polyphenolic compounds, fruit residues are used to design food with functional features, improving the nutritional value and health-promoting, technological, and sensory properties of food products. This article presents the health-promoting (antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial) properties of fruit pomace. Moreover, the possibilities of their use in the food industry are characterized, with particular emphasis on bread, sweet snack products, and extruded snacks. Attention is paid to the impact of waste products from the fruit industry on the nutritional value and technological and sensory characteristics of these products. Fruit pomace is a valuable by-product whose use in the food industry can provide a sustainable solution for waste management and contribute to the development of functional food products with targeted health-promoting properties.

In Vivo Glycemic Response of Fruit-Based Mango (Mangifera indica) and Pineapple (Ananas comosus) Bars in In Vitro and In Silico Enzyme Inhibitory Effects Studies.

The habitual consumption of snacks has the potential to enrich or harm the diet. They can contribute to excessive caloric intake and hyperglycemia. Thus, there is an increasing interest in snacks with health-promoting properties. This study aimed to demonstrate the beneficial effect of two fruit-based bars on glucose levels through in vitro, in vivo, and in silico assays. Mango (Mangifera indica L.) and pineapple (Ananas comosus L.) bars (MB and PB) were prepared, and chemical composition, postprandial glycemic response, glycemic index (GI), and glycemic load (GL) were evaluated. The inhibitory effect of fruit bar extracts on α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity and their respective molecular docking was assessed. MB and PB showed the lowest postprandial glycemic response vs. the control bar (p < 0.005), a lower GI (CB: 64.20, PB: 53.20, MB: 40.40), and a GL of 10.9 (CB), 7.9 (PB), and 6.1 (MB), (p < 0.05). MB and PB showed the highest inhibition % of α-amylase (61.44 and 59.37%, respectively) and α-glucosidase (64.97 and 64.57%). Naringenin (-1692.5985 and -2757.674 kcal/mol) and ferulic acid (-1692.8904 and -2760.3513 kcal/mol) exhibited more favorable interaction energies against α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity. The presence of polyphenols from the fruit influenced enzymatic inhibition. Likewise, the dietary fiber in the bars evaluated allowed us to observe a positive effect that favors glycemic control, making them a healthy alternative for snacking.

Unhealthy Food and Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption Among Bangladeshi Elderly People and Their Sociodemographic Determinants: Findings From a Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Savory crispy or fried snack (SCFS), sugary snack (SS), and sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption are associated with a higher prevalence of obesity and non-communicable diseases. So, we estimated the consumption of SCFS, SS, and SSB among elderly males and females in Bangladesh. We also reported the factors associated with their consumption using data from a nationwide cross-sectional study. METHODS: We interviewed 2,482 (51.52%) elderly males and 2,335 (48.47%) elderly females for the recall for the past seven days on the intake of SCFS, SS, and SSB from 82 randomly selected clusters from rural, non-slum urban, and slum areas in Bangladesh. Sociodemographic and anthropometry data were also collected. RESULTS: Consumption of SCFS, SS, and SSB for ≥1 time per week was reported by 884 (31.5%), 1,696 (66.1%), and 1,911 (69.3%) of the elderly males and 516 (20.1%), 1,367 (53.9%), and 1,171 (34.1%) of the elderly females, respectively. Both elderly males and females from slum and non-slum urban areas consumed more SSB than their rural counterparts. Higher level of television viewing was associated with increased frequency of intake of SCFS, SS, and SSB among elderly males and SSB intake among elderly females. Nutritional status was not associated with the consumption of these foods and drinks among the elderly; however, overweight males consumed SSB less frequently. CONCLUSION: In Bangladesh, elderly males and females frequently consume unhealthy snacks and drinks. Considering their detrimental effect on health, it is necessary to reduce their consumption through policy and program measures and promote healthier foods and beverages.

Investigating extrusion impact on functional, textural properties, morphological structure, and molecular interactions in hulless barley-based extruded snacks supplemented with mung bean.

The effect of varying extrusion conditions on the functional properties of hulless barley-mung bean (70:30) extruded snacks was investigated using response surface methodology with feed moisture (FM), barrel temperature (BT), and screw speed (SS) as process variables. Results revealed significant impacts on functional characteristics with varying extrusion conditions. Bulk density (BD) of extruded snacks ranged from 0.24 to 0.42 g/cm3, showing that lower FM and higher BT results in lower BD while it increased with increasing FM, SS, and BT. The expansion ratio (ER) of extruded snacks ranged between 2.03 and 2.33, showing BT and SS had a desirable positive effect, whereas increasing FM led to decreased ER. Increasing BT and SS depicted a negative effect on water absorption index, whereas FM showed positive effect, which ranged between 4.21 and 4.82 g/g. A positive effect on water solubility index was depicted by BT and SS, which ranges between 9.01% and 13.45%, as higher SS and BT led to starch degradation and increased solubility suggesting better digestibility. The hardness of extruded snacks ranged from 32.56 to 66.88 Newton (N), showing increasing FM increased hardness, whereas higher SS and BT resulted in lowering the hardness. Scanning electronic microscope (SEM) analysis revealed structural changes in extrudates in comparison with nonextruded flour, indicating starch gelatinization and pore formation affected by varying processing parameters. Shifts in absorption bands were observed in Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), suggesting structural changes in starch and protein. Understanding the effects of extrusion parameters on product properties can help tailored production to meet consumers' preferences and the development of functional snacks with improved nutritional quality.

Effect of microwave vacuum drying time on the quality profiles, microstructures and in vitro digestibility of pork chip snacks.

In present study, the quality profiles, microstructures and in vitro digestibility of pork chip snacks (PCS) prepared by microwave vacuum drying (MVD) under different drying times (20, 21, 22, 23, and 24 min) were investigated. The results revealed significant decreases in the moisture content and L*-value of PCS, while the protein/ash contents, a*-value, and b*-value of PCS markedly increased with prolonged MVD time (P < 0.05). Additionally, as MVD time extended from 20 to 24 min, the textural characteristics of PCS, particularly brittleness and crunchiness, initially increased and then gradually decreased (P < 0.05). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that a moderate MVD time (22 min) resulted in the formation of larger pores in PCS, enhancing brittleness and crunchiness. However, excessive MVD time (24 min) led to the melting of these pores, subsequently reducing the brittleness and crunchiness of PCS. Furthermore, in vitro protein digestibility of PCS gradually decreased with increasing MVD time, primarily attributed to increased protein aggregation, as indicated by changes in sulfhydryl contents. In summary, our findings highlight that PCS subjected to 22 min of MVD exhibited the highest overall acceptability. This study provides a novel strategy for the application of MVD in the processing of meat snacks.

Disordered Eating Attitudes and Their Association with Age, BMI, Stress, and Diet in College Students.

OBJECTIVE: College students are at risk of disordered eating, particularly students with overweight/obesity and with higher stress, but little is known about how disordered eating may be related to diet. This study evaluated the associations between the Disordered Eating Attitudes Scale (DEAS) and age, BMI, stress, and diet. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of the baseline data in participants from the Snackability Trial. Participants completed a questionnaire on socio-demographics, DEAS, and snacking, self-reported their weight and height (to calculate BMI), and completed two 24 h non-consecutive dietary recalls (to calculate diet quality using HEI-2015 and snack quality score using an algorithm developed by our group). Associations between variables were assessed with Spearman correlations. RESULTS: A total of 140 participants completed all assessments. The median age was 21.0 and the median BMI was 28.5 kg/m2 (43.7% had overweight and 41.5% had obesity). A total of 86.4% were females, 41.4% were white, 51.4% were low-income, and 30.7% were Hispanic/Latino. The total DEAS and the subscale 'Relationship with food' were positively correlated with stress and BMI (p < 0.05) but inversely correlated with HEI-2015 (p < 0.05). The subscales 'Restrictive and compensatory behaviors' and 'Concern about food and weight gain' were also positively correlated with stress (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: College students with higher disordered eating attitudes also had higher stress and BMI but poorer diet quality. Interventions may be needed for this group to manage stress and improve weight and diet quality, as well as promote awareness about disordered eating attitudes.

Nutritional Quality of the Mid-Afternoon Snack of Schooled Children between the Ages of 3 and 12 Years in Three Areas in Spain.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the nutritional quality of mid-afternoon snacks for schooled children aged 3 to 12 years in three areas of Catalonia (Spain). METHODS: A descriptive observational study collected information on habits and the mid-afternoon snack of 782 schooled children aged 3 to 12 years in three cities, Barcelona, Girona, and Lleida, located in Catalonia (Spain). The children's families voluntarily agreed to complete an online questionnaire that collected information about demographic data and snacking habits in the afternoon, as well as a record of mid-afternoon snack intake over three school days. RESULTS: A total of 2163 mid-afternoon snacks were analyzed from a sample of 764 families with 3 to 12 year-old children. Sandwiches emerged as the most prevalent choice, accounting for 41.89%, followed by pastries at 23.86%, fruit at 14.38%, and a combination of fruit and pastries at 6.29%. Of the mid-afternoon snacks recorded, 22.19% were healthy, 20.90% were quite healthy, 12.85% were quite unhealthy, and 44.06% were unhealthy. CONCLUSIONS: The nutritional quality of mid-afternoon snacks for a large majority of schooled children should be improved. It is essential to develop food education programs to improve the quality of this intake from early childhood and to consider it as an opportunity to adjust the daily dietary requirements of Spanish children.

Assessment of the Content of Glycoalkaloids in Potato Snacks Made from Colored Potatoes, Resulting from the Action of Organic Acids and Thermal Processing.

Glycoalkaloids (TGAs, total glycoalkaloids), toxic secondary metabolites, are found in potatoes (110-335 mg·kg-1 DW), mainly in the peel. Colorful, unpeeled potatoes are an innovative raw material for the production of snacks which are poorly tested in terms of their glycoalkaloid content. Third-generation snacks and French fries made from red-fleshed Mulberry Beauty (MB) and purple-fleshed Double Fun (DF) potatoes were produced with the use of 1% solutions of ascorbic, citric, lactic, malic, and tartaric acids to stabilize the structure of anthocyanins in the raw material and maintain their color in obtained products. The influence of the type of acid and thermal processes, like frying, microwaving, and baking, on the content of glycoalkaloids in ready-made products was examined. Only 0.45-1.26 mg·100 g-1 of TGA was found in pellet snacks and 1.32-1.71 mg·100 g-1 in French fries. Soaking blanched potatoes in organic acid solution reduced the α-chaconine content by 91-97% in snacks and by 57-93% in French fries in relation to the raw material to the greatest extent after the use of malic acid and the DF variety. The effect of lactic and citric acid was also beneficial, especially in the production of baked French fries from MB potatoes.

Development and physicochemical characteristics of multicomponent freeze-dried snacks obtained with blackcurrant pomace powder and calcium ions as structuring agents.

Consumers seek healthy and sustainable products, whereas the food industry faces the challenge of processing by-products management. The application of fruit pomace as an additive could be a solution addressing the needs of both consumers and producers. The research objective has been to assess the effect of dried blackcurrant pomace powder (BP) and calcium ions in varied concentration on the physicochemical properties of multicomponent freeze-dried snacks as compared to the influence of low-methoxyl pectin (LMP). The snacks were prepared using varied content of BP (1, 3, 5%) and calcium lactate (0, 0.01, 0.05%). Water content and activity, hygroscopic properties, structure, texture, colour, polyphenols content (TPC), and antioxidant activity were analysed. The addition of BP resulted in lowering water activity and porosity. The microstructure of the snacks consisted of a large number of small and unevenly distributed pores. Consequently, the reduction of hygroscopic properties with the growing amount of BP was observed. Applied additives strengthened the structure and caused changes in compression curves indicating enhanced hardness and crispiness. The effect given by 5% of BP was comparable to that obtained with 0.5% of LMP. Additionally, blackcurrant pomace infusion increased TPC and enhanced antioxidant activity but it also caused significant changes in the colour of the snacks. Overall, obtained results have shown that dried blackcurrant pomace powder (BP) can be successfully applied as a food additive supporting stability, texture, and bioactive compounds content, thus fortifying the physicochemical properties of freeze-dried fruit and vegetable snacks.

Using a healthy snacks program on a campus with limited food access: Implications for implementing a sustainable safety net program  .

OBJECTIVE: This study explored the user experiences and satisfaction levels of students who participated in a healthy snacks program over eight months on a campus located in a food desert. PARTICIPANTS: Students at a suburban private university (N = 51). METHODS: Using a descriptive cross-sectional design, participants scanned a Quick-Response code and responded to an online questionnaire. Mixed methods analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Most participants took snacks in the morning (44.4%). Satisfaction levels were highest [Mean (Standard deviation): 6.58 (0.90) out of 7.00 = high] among those feeling stressed. Five major themes from the open-ended responses were identified: (1) Being thankful; (2) Finding snacks to be tasty; (3) Inexpensive and healthy alternatives; (4) Feeling better; and (5) Needing better and additional snacks. CONCLUSIONS: Future research is needed to assess the long-term feasibility and effectiveness of this program and develop similar programs on other college campuses located in food deserts.

Individual and total sugar contents of street foods in Malaysia - Should we be concerned?

Street foods are often of poor nutritional quality with high sugar content, in which the overconsumption of sugar is associated with obesity. However, sugar content information on local street foods is scarce. Thus, the individual and total sugar contents of 94 types of street foods in Malaysia were analysed. Compared to snacks and main meals, desserts contained the highest amounts of sugar, sucrose, fructose, glucose, and maltose. Sucrose was predominant in 90% desserts, 79.3% snacks, and 68.6% main meals. Most desserts (93.3%) contained medium to high sugar content (≥5 g to >15 g/100 g), while 82.9% main meals and 65.5% snacks had low sugar content. When comparing the sugar contents of 39 foods with other local databases, 58.3% main meals, 55.6% desserts, and 33.3% snacks contained either significantly (p < 0.05) higher or lower sugar contents. Consumers can identify low and high-sugar foods, and policymakers can review health priorities to combat obesity.

Elemental composition of toxic and essential elements in rice-based baby foods from the United States and other countries: A probabilistic risk analysis.

Consumption of rice-based foods provides essential nutrients required for infants and toddlers' growth. However, they could contain toxic and excess essential elements that may affect human health. The study aims to determine the composition of rice-based baby foods in the USA and outside and conduct a multiple-life stages probabilistic exposure and risk assessment of toxic and essential elements in children. Elemental concentrations were measured using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) in thirty-three rice-based baby foods. This includes 2 infant formulas, 11 rice baby cereals, and 20 rice snacks produced primarily in the United States, China, and other countries. A probabilistic risk assessment was conducted to assess risks of adverse health effects. Results showed that infant formula had higher median concentrations of selenium (Se), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and potassium (K) compared to rice baby cereal and rice snacks. On the contrary, rice snacks had the highest median concentration of Arsenic (As) (127 µg/kg) while rice baby cereals showed the highest median concentration of Cd (7 µg/kg). A higher lifetime estimated daily intake was observed for samples manufactured in the USA compared to those from China and other countries. Hazard quotient (HQ < 1) values were suggestive of minimal adverse health effects. However, lifetime carcinogenic risk analysis based on total As indicated an unacceptable cancer risk (>1E-04). These findings show a need for ongoing monitoring of rice-based foods consumed by infants and toddlers as supplementary and substitutes for breast milk or weaning food options. This can be useful in risk reduction and mitigation of early life exposure to improve health outcomes.

Evaluating compliance with local and International Food Labelling Standards in urban Tanzania: a cross-sectional study of pre-packaged snacks in Dar Es Salaam.

BACKGROUND: Urbanization influences food culture, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where there is an increasing consumption of processed and pre-packaged foods. This shift is contributing to a rise in non-communicable diseases. Food labelling standards are crucial for regulating manufacturing practices and helping consumers make healthy food choices. We aimed to assess the compliance of local and imported pre-packaged snacks with Tanzanian and international labelling standards in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 180 snack products. A checklist based on Tanzanian and Codex labelling standards was used to evaluate adherence. We also examined factors influencing adherence, such as product origin, price, category, purchase location, and package size. RESULTS: The majority of the snacks demonstrated partial adherence to Tanzania (n = 97; 54%) and International (Codex) (n = 120; 67%) labelling standards. Imported products showed significantly better adherence to both Tanzanian (n = 46; 53%) and international (n = 42; 48%) standards. Notably, more than half (n = 110; 66.7%) of the products used English for labelling, and infrequently (n = 74; 41.4%) used the recommended World Health Organization Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling. Product category, origin, and package size were significantly associated with higher levels of international standard adherence (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The inadequate adherence to mandatory labelling standards and the scarce use of Swahili and FoPL highlight the need to strengthen labelling practices and potential challenges faced by consumers in understanding nutritional information. Thus, strengthening and emphasizing good labelling practices are urgently needed as we seek to address diet-related noncommunicable diseases.