Different Sources of Fiber Intake and Risk of 17 Specific Cancers and All Cancers Combined: Prospective Study of 364,856 Participants in the UK Biobank.

Inverse associations between dietary fiber (DF) and colorectal cancer risk are well-established. However, evidence is limited in relation to other cancer sites. This study, of 364,856 participants from the UK Biobank, aimed to evaluate the associations between total and source-specific partial DF and risk of 17 specific cancers and all cancers combined. Partial DF was derived from baseline touchscreen questionnaire data on cereal, bread, fruit, and vegetable intake. The outcomes were incident cancer at 17 sites and all cancers combined. Cox proportional hazards models were applied. Over a median 8.8-year follow-up period, 30,725 people were diagnosed with cancer. After adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, those in the highest quintile of partial DF compared with the lowest quintile (<9.6 vs ≥19.1 g/day) had 10% lower risk of cancer overall, with the greatest risk reductions observed for cervical (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.33, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.14; 0.82), esophageal (HR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.52; 0.84), lung (HR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.59; 0.76), bladder (HR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.56; 0.91), and kidney (HR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.61; 0.92) cancers. Associations between DF and lung cancer were observed only in current and former smokers. Higher DF intake, in particular cereal fiber and fruit and vegetable fiber, was associated with a lower risk of overall and multiple site-specific cancers.

Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Risk of Disabling Dementia: Japan Public Health Center Disabling Dementia Study.

BACKGROUND: Fruits and vegetables contain abundant amounts of antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin C, α-carotene, and ß-carotene. Few prospective observational studies have investigated the effects of fruit and vegetable intake on the risk of dementia, and the results are inconsistent. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to examine associations between fruit and vegetable intake and the risk of disabling dementia. METHODS: We conducted a follow-up survey within the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study involving 42,643 individuals aged 50-79 y at baseline (2000-2003). Dietary fruit and vegetable intakes and related antioxidant vitamin intakes (i.e., α-carotene, ß-carotene, and vitamin C) were determined using a food frequency questionnaire. The diagnosis of disabling dementia was made based on the daily living disability status related to dementia under the Japanese long-term care insurance program from 2006 to 2016. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for disabling dementia were estimated using area-stratified Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for potential confounding factors. RESULTS: A total of 4994 cases of disabling dementia were recorded. We observed an inverse association between total fruit and vegetable intake and the risk of dementia among males and females: the multivariate hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for the highest compared with lowest quartiles of intake were 0.87 (0.76, 0.99) (P- trend = 0.05) among males and 0.85 (0.76, 0.94) (P- trend = 0.006) among females. Among antioxidant vitamins, vitamin C intake was inversely associated with the risk of dementia among males and females: the multivariate hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for the highest compared with lowest quartiles of intake were 0.71 (0.61, 0.84) (P- trend < 0.0001) among males, and 0.76 (0.67, 0.86) (P- trend < 0.0001) among females. CONCLUSIONS: Fruit and vegetable intake and dietary intake of vitamin C may contribute to reducing the risk of disabling dementia among males and females.

Towards the Development of a Smart Detergent with Enhanced Safety and Efficiency for Pesticide Residue Removal from Fruits and Vegetables.

The research focused on the development and evaluation of special detergents for washing fruits and vegetables, with the primary emphasis on removing pesticide residues. The research aimed to improve food safety and meet consumer preferences for effective cleaning of food products. Using the cloud point characteristic of non-ionic surfactants, a 'smart' detergent was developed to adapt to typical washing conditions. Optimization of the detergent system composition was conducted and the properties of the surfactant system in relation to the cloud point were investigated to highlight the importance of precise control over detergent behavior in response to temperature changes. The physicochemical properties study of the model washing baths included surface tension, aggregate size, solubilization properties, and foaming ability. A model detergent, tailored for both cleaning efficacy and safety against the skin, was developed. Washing efficacy tests demonstrated the superior ability of the designed detergent to remove pesticide residues, eliminating consumer concerns and promoting healthier and safer food consumption. The conducted research paves the way for innovative and safe detergents for washing fruits and vegetables, thereby increasing food safety and consumer satisfaction.

A novel analytical approach for the determination of ethylene-thiourea and propylene-thiourea in vegetal foodstuffs by high-performance liquid chromatography hyphenated to inductively coupled plasma-tandem mass spectrometry.

This study reports a novel analytical approach for the simultaneous determination of ethylene-thiourea (ETU) and propylene-thiourea (PTU) in fruits and vegetables by (reverse phase) high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to inductively coupled plasma-tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-QQQMS or ICP-MS/MS). A baseline separation of ETU and PTU was achieved in less than 5 min. A robust method validation by using the accuracy profile approach was performed by carrying out four measurement series in duplicate at six different levels over a timespan of 4 weeks (different days). The recovery factors ranged from 87 to 101% for ETU and from 98 to 99% for PTU (depending on the spiking level). The coefficient of variation in terms of repeatability (CVr) ranged from 1 to 4.7% for ETU and from 1.8 to 3.9% for PTU (depending also on the analyte level) while the coefficient of variation in terms of intermediate reproducibility (CVR) ranged from 3.4 to 10% for ETU and from 1.8 to 10.8% for PTU. The limit of quantification was 0.022 mg kg-1 (wet weight) for ETU and 0.010 mg kg-1 (ww) for PTU. This novel approach was proved to be highly robust and suitable for the determination of ETU and PTU in foodstuffs of vegetal origin.

Non-enzymatic electrochemical impedance sensor for selective detection of electro-inactive organophosphate pesticides using Zr-MOF/ZrO2/MWCNT ternary composite.

The existence of multiple pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables constitutes a direct peril to living organisms. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a low-cost screening method for determining organophosphate pesticides (OPPs) in food samples. This study describes the solvothermal synthesis of a ternary composite comprising multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), zirconium oxide, and a zirconium-metal-organic framework (Zr-MOF). The ternary composite was characterised using XRD, FESEM, FTIR, and BET. The ternary composite provides a large surface area (1158 m2/g) compared with the pristine Zr-MOF (868 m2/g). The composite-modified glassy carbon electrode was used to determine nine pesticides, including organophosphate (malathion, dimethoate, chlorpyrifos, monocrotophos, and glyphosate) and non-organophosphate (thiophanate methyl, carbendazim, atrazine, and 2,4, D). In particular, various chemical combinations of OPPs were selected, such as S-P=S, P=S, P=O, and non-OPPs such as C=S (with sulphur), and without sulphur. The sensor results show that the sensor selectivity is high for OPPs containing both phosphorus and sulphur molecules. The low detection limit of the sensor was 2.02, 2.8, 2.5, 1.11, and 2.01 nM for malathion, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, monocrotophos, and glyphosate, respectively. The electrode exhibited significant chemical stability (93%) after 100 cycles, good repeatability, and a long shelf life. The sensor is reliable for qualitative real-time applications.

Food rejection and the relation with category-based induction and memory in young children.

BACKGROUND: Childhood rejection of fruits and vegetables (F/V) has been associated with an immature food categorization system, characterized by difficulties in accurately categorizing and making inductions about foods. This may result in variations in the kind of category-based induction children use, such as relying on the color of a fruit/vegetable. Research indicates that children who reject food frequently tend to prioritize perceptual features like color and shape over abstract features, such as the type of food (e.g., tomato) when making food-related inductions. The way children categorize food can also impact what they remember about foods. Food rejection may therefore be related to better memory for perceptual features and diminished memory for abstract features. To explore this further, a pre-registered study was conducted to examine how category-based induction and memory relate to each other, and to children's food rejection. METHODS: 107 children aged 4-6 years old performed a category-based induction and memory task related to F/V, based on color and shape (perceptual features), and type of food (abstract feature). A vegetable photo task measured vegetable acceptance, and parents completed the Child Food Rejection Scale (CFRS). RESULTS: Children generally used color-based induction and displayed better memory for F/V color. Performance on the two tasks was related: higher type-based induction for F/V was linked to better memory for the type of F/V. However, there were no associations found with food rejection. CONCLUSION: Which category young children use for inductive reasoning about food, is related to what they remember best about food. Nevertheless, our study did not establish a relationship between an immature food categorization system and food rejection. Other factors, such as food familiarity, might play a stronger role in children's food acceptance.

The Gamma concept approach as a tool to predict fresh produce supporting or not the growth of L. monocytogenes.

Challenge tests are commonly employed to evaluate the growth behavior of L. monocytogenes in food matrices; they are known for being expensive and time-consuming. An alternative could be the use of predictive models to forecast microbial behavior under different conditions. In this study, the growth behavior of L. monocytogenes in different fresh produce was evaluated using a predictive model based on the Gamma concept considering pH, water activity (aw), and temperature as input factors. An extensive literature search resulted in a total of 105 research articles selected to collect growth/no growth behavior data of L. monocytogenes. Up to 808 L. monocytogenes behavior values and physicochemical characteristics were extracted for different fruits and vegetables. The predictive performance of the model as a tool for identifying the produce commodities supporting the growth of L. monocytogenes was proved by comparing with the experimental data collected from the literature. The model provided satisfactory predictions on the behavior of L. monocytogenes in vegetables (>80% agreement with experimental observations). For leafy greens, a 90% agreement was achieved. In contrast, the performance of the Gamma model was less satisfactory for fruits, as it tends to overestimate the potential of acid commodities to inhibit the growth of L. monocytogenes.

Analysis on Foodborne Pathogen Contamination of Food Samples in Longnan City from 2013 to 2022.

The objective was to determine the prevalence of foodborne pathogens in food in Longnan City, Gansu Province, China. In this research, we conducted tests on baked foods, catering foods, meat, and fruits and vegetables sold in supermarkets, farmers' markets, restaurants, retail stores, street stalls, and school canteens from 2013 to 2022. We analyzed the variety of foodborne pathogens (Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, and diarrheagenic Escherichia coli) in different sites and food types. Once foodborne pathogens were detected in the sample, it was deemed unqualified. The total detection rates of foodborne pathogens were 1.559%, 3.349%, 1.980%, 1.040%, 3.383%, and 1.303% in food from supermarkets, farmers' markets, restaurants, retail stores, street stalls, and school canteens, respectively. No pathogenic bacteria were detected in baked foods. Salmonella, S. aureus, L. monocytogenes, B. cereus, and diarrheagenic E. coli were detected in catering foods, among which B. cereus had the highest detection rate. Salmonella was the most common pathogenic bacteria detected in meat, while the detection rate of pathogenic bacteria in fruits and vegetables was low, with only one positive sample for diarrheagenic E. coli. Among the six sites, street stalls (3.382%) and farmers' markets (3.349%) had higher detection rates of pathogens. In general, the detection rate of pathogens from 2013 to 2022 was not high, but there were also some hidden dangers. Catering food is vulnerable to pathogen contamination, and street stalls and farmers' markets are the main sites of pollution. According to the above findings, the regulatory authorities should continue to strengthen supervision, guarantee food safety through early warning, and reduce the risk of food contamination.

Recent advances in activated water systems for the postharvest management of quality and safety of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Over the last three decades, decontamination management of fresh fruits and vegetables (FFVs) in the packhouses and along the supply chains has been heavily dependent on chemical-based wash. This has resulted in the emergence of resistant foodborne pathogens and often the deposition of disinfectant byproducts on FFVs, rendering them unacceptable to consumers. The management of foodborne pathogens, microbial contaminants, and quality of FFVs are a major concern for the horticultural industries and public health. Activated water systems (AWS), such as electrolyzed water, plasma-activated water, and micro-nano bubbles, have gained significant attention from researchers over the last decade due to their nonthermal and nontoxic mode of action for microbial inactivation and preservation of FFVs quality. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of recent progress on the application of AWS and their effects on quality attributes and microbial safety of FFVs. An overview of the different types of AWS and their properties is provided. Furthermore, the review highlights the chemistry behind generation of reactive species and the impact of AWS on the quality attributes of FFVs and on the inactivation/reduction of spoilage and pathogenic microbes (in vivo or in vitro). The mechanisms of action of microorganism inactivation are discussed. Finally, this work highlights challenges and limitations for commercialization and safety and regulation issues of AWS. The synergistic prospect on combining AWS for maximum microorganism inactivation effectiveness is also considered. AWS offers a potential alternative as nonchemical interventions to maintain quality attributes, inactivate spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms, and extend the shelf-life for FFVs.

Fruit for thought.

OBJECTIVE: This commentary discusses the New Zealand Labour Party's announcement to remove tax on fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. It aims to explore its potential impact on the psychological well-being of New Zealanders in the context of the growing global burden of mental illnesses in the current food environment. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed tax exemption on fruits and vegetables demonstrates the government's commitment to improving the food environment. While the precise mental health effects of this potential tax change remain unstudied, existing evidence suggests a positive impact on New Zealanders' well-being, marking a pivotal step in addressing broader health issues and fostering a healthier, more equitable food landscape.

Examining Potential Modifiers of Human Skin and Plasma Carotenoid Responses in a Randomized Trial of a Carotenoid-Containing Juice Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Skin carotenoid measurements are emerging as a valid and reliable indicator of fruit and vegetable intake and carotenoid intake. However, little is known about the extent to which skin carotenoid responsivity to dietary changes differs based on demographic and physiologic characteristics. OBJECTIVES: This study examined potential effect modifiers of skin carotenoid and plasma carotenoid responses to a carotenoid-rich juice intervention. METHODS: We leveraged data from 2 arms of a 3-site randomized controlled trial of a carotenoid-containing juice intervention (moderate dose = 6 ounces juice, 4 mg total carotenoids/d, high dose = 12 ounces juice, 8 mg total carotenoids/d) (n = 106) to examine effect modification by age, self-categorized race/ethnicity, biological sex, baseline body fat, body mass index, skin melanin, skin hemoglobin, skin hemoglobin saturation, skin coloration, sun exposure, and baseline intake of carotenoids from foods. Skin carotenoid concentrations were assessed using pressure-mediated reflection spectroscopy (Veggie Meter), and plasma carotenoid concentrations were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: In bivariate analyses, among the high-dose group (8 mg/d), those of older age had lower skin carotenoid responsiveness than their younger counterparts, and those with greater hemoglobin saturation and lighter skin had higher skin carotenoid score responsiveness. In the moderate-dose group (4 mg/d), participants from one site had greater plasma carotenoid responsiveness than those from other sites. In multivariate analyses, participants with higher baseline skin carotenoids had smaller skin carotenoid responses to both moderate and high doses. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in skin carotenoid scores in response to interventions to increase fruit and vegetable intake should be interpreted in the context of baseline skin carotenoid scores, but other variables (e.g., self-categorized race/ethnicity, biological sex, baseline body fat, body mass index, skin melanin, and sun exposure) do not significantly modify the effect of carotenoid intake on changes in skin carotenoid scores. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04056624.

Critical assessment of the delivery methods of chemical and natural postharvest preservatives for fruits and vegetables: a review.

For years, researchers have been tirelessly searching for efficient postharvest preservatives to ensure a sustainable and healthy supply chain of fresh fruits and vegetables. However, the effectiveness of preservatives is significantly influenced by delivery methods employed for preservatives. This work centers on delivery methods of diverse preservatives. It delves into the mechanisms of penetration and internalization that facilitate preservatives diffusion into fruits and vegetables. Furthermore, the study comprehensively reviews various delivery methods and their impact on postharvest quality of these fresh food. Methods include liquid surface impregnation (soaking, vacuum infiltration, spraying) and gaseous fumigation. Additionally, unconventional delivery measures, such as fruit stem delivery, microbubble, and edible coating, are discussed in detail for the first time. It is expected that our work will provide inspiration for future development in academia, industry, and supervision.Through a comprehensive review on preservative delivery methods in fruits and vegetables preservation, it becomes evident that majority of existing studies concentrate on the development and mechanisms of preservatives. However, a notable gap lies in comparative analysis of different delivery methods, despite the direct impact of delivery methods on preservation outcomes. Additionally, emerging delivery techniques have displayed promising potential in enhancing delivery efficiency and likewise preservation effectiveness.

Preservative delivery methods (soaking, vacuum infiltration, spraying, fumigation) directly impact their effectiveness.Delivery efficiency is linked to fruit epidermis, including cuticle, intercellular spaces, and stomata.Research uses varied delivery methods, concentrations, and times for preserving different fruits.Promising preservative delivery methods: microbubble, fruit stem delivery, and edible coating.

Novel insight into the role of sulfur dioxide in fruits and vegetables: Chemical interactions, biological activity, metabolism, applications, and safety.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) are a category of chemical compounds widely used as additives in food industry. So far, the use of SO2 in fruit and vegetable industry has been indispensable although its safety concerns have been controversial. This article comprehensively reviews the chemical interactions of SO2 with the components of fruit and vegetable products, elaborates its mechanism of antimicrobial, anti-browning, and antioxidation, discusses its roles in regulation of sulfur metabolism, reactive oxygen species (ROS)/redox, resistance induction, and quality maintenance in fruits and vegetables, summarizes the application technology of SO2 and its safety in human (absorption, metabolism, toxicity, regulation), and emphasizes the intrinsic metabolism of SO2 and its consequences for the postharvest physiology and safety of fresh fruits and vegetables. In order to fully understand the benefits and risks of SO2, more research is needed to evaluate the molecular mechanisms of SO2 metabolism in the cells and tissues of fruits and vegetables, and to uncover the interaction mechanisms between SO2 and the components of fruits and vegetables as well as the efficacy and safety of bound SO2. This review has important guiding significance for adjusting an applicable definition of maximum residue limit of SO2 in food.

Applications of optical property measurement for quality evaluation of agri-food products: a review.

Spectroscopic techniques coupled with chemometric approaches have been widely used for quality evaluation of agricultural and food (agri-food) products due to the nondestructive, simple, fast, and easy characters. However, these techniques face the issues or challenges of relatively weak robustness, generalizability, and applicability in modeling and prediction because they measure the aggregate amount of light interaction with tissues, resulting in the combined effect of absorption and scattering of photons. Optical property measurement could separate absorption from scattering, providing new insights into more reliable prediction performance in quality evaluation, which is attracting increasing attention. In this review, a brief overview of the currently popular measurement techniques, in terms of light transfer principles and data analysis algorithms, is first presented. Then, the emphases are put on the recent advances of these techniques for measuring optical properties of agri-food products since 2000. Corresponding applications on qualitative and quantitative analyses of quality evaluation, as well as light transfer simulations within tissues, were reviewed. Furthermore, the leading groups working on optical property measurement worldwide are highlighted, which is the first summary to the best of our knowledge. Finally, challenges for optical property measurement are discussed, and some viewpoints on future research directions are also given.

HighlightsEmerging techniques for measuring optical properties are briefly introducedQualitative analyses of maturity evaluation and defect detection are reviewedQuantitative analyses of attribute prediction and microstructure estimation are presentedLight transfer simulations based on optical properties are comprehensively discussedLeading groups are summarized for the first time, to the best of our knowledgeChallenges and prospects for optical property measurement are given.

Research progress in extraction, purification, structure of fruit and vegetable polysaccharides and their interaction with anthocyanins/starch.

Fruits and vegetables contain polysaccharides, polyphenols, antioxidant enzymes, and various vitamins, etc. Fruits and vegetables polysaccharides (FVPs), as an important functional factor in health food, have various biological activities such as lowering blood sugar, blood lipids, blood pressure, inhibiting tumors, and delaying aging, etc. In addition, FVPs exhibit good physicochemical properties including low toxicity, biodegradability, biocompatibility. Increasing research has confirmed that FVPs could enhance the stability and biological activities of anthocyanins, affecting their bioavailability to improve food quality. Simultaneously, the addition of FVPs in natural starch suspension could improve the physicochemical properties of natural starch such as viscosity, gelling property, water binding capacity, and lotion stability. Hence, FVPs are widely used in the modification of natural anthocyanins/starch. A systematic review of the latest research progress and future development prospects of FVPs is very necessary to better understand them. This paper systematically reviews the latest progress in the extraction, purification, structure, and analysis techniques of FVPs. Moreover, the review also introduces the potential mechanisms, evaluation methods, and applications of the interaction between polysaccharides and anthocyanins/starch. The findings can provide important references for the further in-depth development and utilization of FVPs.

Validation of resonance Raman spectroscopy-measured skin carotenoid status as a biomarker for fruit and vegetable intake in Korean adults.

Blood carotenoid concentration measurement is considered the gold standard for fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake estimation; however, this method is invasive and expensive. Recently, skin carotenoid status (SCS) measured by optical sensors has been evaluated as a promising parameter for F&V intake estimation. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to validate the utility of resonance Raman spectroscopy (RRS)-assessed SCS as a biomarker of F&V intake in Korean adults. We used data from 108 participants aged 20-69 years who completed SCS measurements, blood collection and 3-d dietary recordings. Serum carotenoid concentrations were quantified using HPLC, and dietary carotenoid and F&V intakes were estimated via 3-d dietary records using a carotenoid database for common Korean foods. The correlations of the SCS with serum carotenoid concentrations, dietary carotenoid intake and F&V intake were examined to assess SCS validity. SCS was positively correlated with total serum carotenoid concentration (r = 0·52, 95 % CI = 0·36, 0·64, P < 0·001), serum ß-carotene concentration (r = 0·60, 95 % CI = 0·47, 0·71, P < 0·001), total carotenoid intake (r = 0·20, 95 % CI = 0·01, 0·37, P = 0·04), ß-carotene intake (r = 0·30, 95 % CI = 0·11, 0·46, P = 0·002) and F&V intake (r = 0·40, 95 % CI = 0·23, 0·55, P < 0·001). These results suggest that SCS can be a valid biomarker of F&V intake in Korean adults.

Microbiological quality of irrigation water for cultivation of fruits and vegetables: An overview of available guidelines, water testing strategies and some factors that influence compliance.

Contaminated irrigation water is among many potential vehicles of human pathogens to food plants, constituting significant public health risks especially for the fresh produce category. This review discusses some available guidelines or regulations for microbiological safety of irrigation water, and provides a summary of some common methods used for characterizing microbial contamination. The goal of such exploration is to understand some of the considerations that influence formulation of water testing guidelines, describe priority microbial parameters particularly with respect to food safety risks, and attempt to determine what methods are most suitable for their screening. Furthermore, the review discusses factors that influence the potential for microbiologically polluted irrigation water to pose substantial risks of pathogenic contamination to produce items. Some of these factors include type of water source exploited, irrigation methods, other agro ecosystem features/practices, as well as pathogen traits such as die-off rates. Additionally, the review examines factors such as food safety knowledge, other farmer attitudes or inclinations, level of social exposure and financial circumstances that influence adherence to water testing guidelines and other safe water application practices. A thorough understanding of relevant risk metrics for the application and management of irrigation water is necessary for the development of water testing criteria. To determine sampling and analytical approach for water testing, factors such as agricultural practices (which differ among farms and regionally), as well as environmental factors that modulate how water quality may affect the microbiological safety of produce should be considered. Research and technological advancements that can improve testing approach and the determination of target levels for hazard characterization or description for the many different pollution contexts as well as farmer adherence to testing requirements, are desirable.

Factors associated with fruit and vegetable consumption among Burmese refugees.

OBJECTIVE: The Burmese population is one of the fast-growing refugee populations in the USA. This study investigated behavioural and environmental factors associated with fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption among Burmese refugees. DESIGN: We conducted a cross-sectional interview survey in 2018-2019. The 24-h recall was used to assess dietary behaviour. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed with meeting the daily FV consumption recommendation (two or more servings of fruits and three or more servings of vegetables) as the outcome variable. We selected socio-economics, nutritional knowledge, food shopping frequency, ethnicity of preferred food store owners, perceived neighbourhood food environment and network distance to preferred food stores as potential explanatory variables. SETTING: Two Upstate New York counties. PARTICIPANTS: Burmese refugees (n 173) aged ≥18 years. RESULTS: Forty-five percentage of respondents met the daily FV consumption recommendation, and nearly all respondents identified ethnic (Burmese, Chinese/pan-Asian, or South Asian/halal) stores as their preferred stores to purchase FV. In the best-fit model, age (OR 1·08, 95 % CI (1·04, 1·12)) and shopping frequency (OR 1·51, 95 % CI (1·01, 2·26)) were positively associated, and network distance to preferred stores in kilometres (OR 0·81, 95 % CI (0·73, 0·90)) was negatively associated with meeting the daily FV consumption recommendation. No significant effect modifications by car ownership, poverty, length of stay in the USA and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participation were detected. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggested that having Asian ethnic food stores within a short, walkable distance from home and shopping at these stores often can promote healthy dietary behaviour among Burmese refugees.

California's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) Be Better social marketing campaign: mothers' fruit and vegetable consumption and facilitation of children's healthy behaviours.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of California Department of Public Health's three-year social marketing campaign (Be Better) to encourage healthy eating and water consumption among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) California mothers. Andreasen's social marketing framework was used to outline the development and evaluation of the campaign. DESIGN: Quantitative, pre-post cross-sectional study with three cohorts nested within survey years. Generalised estimating equation modeling was used to obtain population estimates of campaign reach and changes in mothers' fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption and facilitative actions towards their children's health behaviours. SETTING: CalFresh Healthy Living (California's SNAP-Ed). PARTICIPANTS: Three separate cohorts of SNAP mothers were surveyed (pre, post) between 2016 and 2018 inclusive. A total of 2229 mothers (ages 18-59) self-identified as White, Latina, African American or Asian/Pacific Islander participated. RESULTS: Approximately 82 percent of surveyed mothers were aware of the campaign as assessed by measures of recall and recognition. Ad awareness was positively associated with mothers' FV consumption (R2 = 0·45), with the proportion of FV on plates and with behaviours that facilitate children's FV consumption and limit unhealthy snacks and sugary drinks (ßs ranged from 0·1 to 0·7). CONCLUSIONS: The campaign successfully reached 82 percent of surveyed mothers. Positive associations between California's Be Better campaign and targeted health behaviours were observed, although the associations varied by year and media channel (i.e. television, radio, billboards and digital). Most associations between ad awareness and outcomes were noted in years two and three of the campaign, suggesting that more than 1 year of campaign exposure was necessary for associations to emerge.

Associations between food and beverage purchases and skin carotenoids among diverse small food retail store customers.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if customer purchases at small food stores are associated with healthfulness of the diet as approximated by skin carotenoids. DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional survey of customers in small food stores regarding demographics and food purchases. Food and beverage purchases were classified as 'healthy' or 'non-healthy' and 'carotenoid' v. 'non-carotenoid' using a systematic classification scheme. Fruit and vegetable intake was objectively assessed using a non-invasive device to measure skin carotenoids. Associations between variables of interest were examined using Pearson's correlation coefficients, t tests and multiple linear regression analyses. SETTING: Twenty-two small food retail stores in rural (n 7 stores) and urban (n 15) areas of North Carolina. PARTICIPANTS: Customers of small food stores. RESULTS: Of study participants (n 1086), 55·1 % were male, 60·0 % were African American/Black and 4·2 % were Hispanic, with a mean age of 43·5 years. Overall, 36 % purchased at least one healthy item, and 7·6 % of participants purchased a carotenoid-containing food/beverage. Healthy foods and beverages purchased included produce, lean meats, 100 % juices, plain popcorn, plain nuts, milk and yogurt. Unhealthy items included non-100 % juices, crackers, chips, candy, cakes and donuts. Purchase of a healthy or carotenoid-containing item was positively associated with skin carotenoid scores (P = 0·002 and 0·006, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A relatively small proportion of customers purchased any healthy or carotenoid-containing foods and beverages, and those who did purchase healthy options had higher skin carotenoid scores. Future research should confirm these findings in different populations.