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Abstract

Sodium Reduction Targets for Fast-Food Products: Methods for Estimation and an Investigation of Potential Acceptability and Implementation †

by
Shona Gomes
1,*,‡,
Sally Mackay
2,
Sarah Gerritsen
3 and
Helen Eyles
2,4
1
Pinnacle Midlands Health Network, 152 Grey Street, Gisborne 4010, New Zealand
2
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
3
Department of Social and Community Health, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
4
National Institute for Health Innovation, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
Presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Nutrition Society of New Zealand 2022, Wellington, New Zealand, 1–2 December 2022.
‡
Research completed as part of University of Auckland MHSc in Dietetics.
Med. Sci. Forum 2023, 18(1), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/msf2023018022
Published: 21 March 2023
(This article belongs to the Proceedings of Annual Scientific Meeting of the Nutrition Society of New Zealand 2022)
Versions Notes

Abstract

:
Fast foods contribute to excessive intake of sodium in New Zealand (~3373–3544 mg/day). High sodium consumption is associated with hypertension, a leading risk factor of cardiovascular disease. Our objectives were to (1) estimate sodium reduction targets for New Zealand (NZ) fast-food products and to (2) investigate the potential acceptability of sodium reduction targets, including barriers and facilitators to implementation, and potential methods for execution and monitoring. Sodium contents and serving size of fast-food products were sourced from a 2019 fast food database (Nutritrack). A step-by-step process was used to create food categories and develop sodium targets that are currently met by 35–45% of products. Semi-structured interviews were held with 12 expert stakeholders who work within public health, government agencies, and food science via videoconferencing. Sodium reduction targets per 100 g and per serving were estimated for 17 fast-food categories. The targets ranged from 158 mg (salads) to 665 mg per 100 g (mayonnaise and dressings). On a per serving basis, the targets ranged from 118 mg (sauce) to 1270 mg (burgers with cured meat). The experts agreed that sodium reduction targets for NZ fast foods are needed and acceptable. Barriers to implementation include unequal participation by industry and limited data for monitoring. A voluntary approach led by cross-government collaboration, along with mandating if there is limited uptake, and a robust monitoring system were deemed to be important for implementation. The sodium reduction targets estimated for NZ fast foods were supported by the non-industry stakeholders. While further review and consultation with the industry may be necessary, the newly estimated targets provide a platform for one aspect of a much-needed government-led sodium reformulation programme for NZ, which should also include targets for packaged foods and consumer awareness.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, H.E.; methodology, H.E., S.M., S.G. (Shona Gomes) and S.G. (Sarah Gerritsen); formal analysis, S.G. (Shona Gomes); investigation, S.G. (Shona Gomes); writing—original draft preparation, S.G. (Shona Gomes); writing—review and editing, H.E., S.M. and S.G. (Sarah Gerritsen); supervision, H.E., S.M. and S.G. (Sarah Gerritsen). All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research was funded by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and funded by a Centre of Research Excellence Grant in Reducing Salt Intake using Food Policy Interventions (CRE #3713185). H.E. is a Heart Foundation of New Zealand Senior Fellow (#1843).

Institutional Review Board Statement

The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, and approved by the University of Auckland Human Participants Ethics Committee on 20/05/20 for three years (reference number: 024597).

Informed Consent Statement

Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects.

Data Availability Statement

Because of the commercial and legal restrictions to the use of copy-righted material, it is not possible to share the data from Nutritrack used for setting targets openly, but unredacted versions of the dataset are available with a licensed agreement that they will be restricted to non-commercial use. For access to Nutritrack, please contact the National Institute for Health Innovation at the University of Auckland at [email protected]. The data from the interviews are unavailable due to ethical restrictions on the collection of data from human participants.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content.

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Gomes, S.; Mackay, S.; Gerritsen, S.; Eyles, H. Sodium Reduction Targets for Fast-Food Products: Methods for Estimation and an Investigation of Potential Acceptability and Implementation. Med. Sci. Forum 2023, 18, 22. https://doi.org/10.3390/msf2023018022

AMA Style

Gomes S, Mackay S, Gerritsen S, Eyles H. Sodium Reduction Targets for Fast-Food Products: Methods for Estimation and an Investigation of Potential Acceptability and Implementation. Medical Sciences Forum. 2023; 18(1):22. https://doi.org/10.3390/msf2023018022

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gomes, Shona, Sally Mackay, Sarah Gerritsen, and Helen Eyles. 2023. "Sodium Reduction Targets for Fast-Food Products: Methods for Estimation and an Investigation of Potential Acceptability and Implementation" Medical Sciences Forum 18, no. 1: 22. https://doi.org/10.3390/msf2023018022

APA Style

Gomes, S., Mackay, S., Gerritsen, S., & Eyles, H. (2023). Sodium Reduction Targets for Fast-Food Products: Methods for Estimation and an Investigation of Potential Acceptability and Implementation. Medical Sciences Forum, 18(1), 22. https://doi.org/10.3390/msf2023018022

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