Alimentos processados e Diabetes Mellitus: avaliação de rotulagem de alimentos industrializados indicados para diabéticos / Processed foods and Diabetes Mellitus: labeling evaluation of processed foods indicated for diabetics
Diabetes Mellitus (DM) affects about 400 million people worldwide. It is common knowledge that diabetic individuals should prioritize the consumption of fresh foods or minimally processed foods. However, the rational consumption of processed foods becomes a challenge due to the western lifestyle and the high source of these products, including those specific for diabetic people. This manuscript aims to verify the label adequacy of processed dietary foods. We performed the evaluation of diabetic cookies, candy and bread labels available at supermarkets, health food stores and food supplement stores. The adequacy of the nutritional items, and the labeling was evaluated according the Brazilian current legislation. A total of 98 items were analyzed 57 candies, 27 cookies and 14 breads. We observed that there was a great inadequacy of these products, as well as a lack of information about important nutrients. It is necessary to adapt the labeling and to perform the conference of each item, and the health professionals, especially the nutritionists, must pay close attention before recommending these foods to their patients.(AU)