Dutch study estimates impact of Choices criteria on nutrient intake

July 19th, 2012

A recent study published in the Public Health Nutrition journal looks at the possible impact of reformulation and labeling initiatives on nutrient intake within the young adult population of The Netherlands. The Choices stamp was the focus of the study, and the effects of applying the Dutch Choices criteria on nutrient intake was estimated by replacing non-complying foods with those complying with the Choices criteria. The potential benefits were calculated according to the criteria, the available foods, their current market shares and the current Dutch consumption pattern.

For the three nutrients targeted by this study: SFA, sugar and sodium, it’s revealed that considerable ‘compositional’ gains can be obtained by choosing products which comply with the Choices criteria, in comparison with non-complying similar foods. In the ideal case, where all foods were replaced with similar products complying with the Choices criteria, intake reductions were estimated to be -40% for SFA, -23% for sodium and -36% for sugar. When these numbers were corrected for the 2007 market share of products bearing the Choices stamp, the actual effects were a -2,5% SFA, -1% sugar, and -0% sodium reduction.

Based on these outcomes, the authors advise the following reformulation strategies: 1) reformulation of meat (products) towards lower saturated fat and sodium contents and 2) adapting the Choices criteria for drinks towards limits far below the current criteria. This would enable additional reductions for consumers opting for Choices products.

The authors note that in order to more accurately determine the impact of Choices products on nutrient intake, updated information of composition and market share, and updated consumption data should be used.