Easter eggs are high in sugar and fat – 04/04/2023 – Equilibrium

For the first time in Brazil, Easter eggs carry alerts on the package if they have a high concentration of saturated fat, added sugar and sodium. In October last year, Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency) determined that the excess of these components should be mentioned in the upper front part of food. Products that were already on the market would have 12 months to implement the seal, if necessary, but launches should follow the rule immediately.

In 2023, the seals of “High in saturated fat” and “High in added sugar” prevail in chocolate eggs, according to a survey by Idec (Brazilian Institute for Consumer Protection). The agency analyzed 31 products from the brands Lacta, Arcor, Nestlé, Linea and Ferrero, noting that 87% of them already followed the new rules and all the updated items had a quantity of saturated fat and added sugar above that recommended by Anvisa (National Surveillance Agency Sanitary). With regard to sodium, no excess was identified.

They carry the seal chocolates with 15g or more of added sugar and 5g or more of saturated fat per 100g of food. In addition to the alerts, the regulatory agency stipulated changes in the nutritional table, such as the standardization of colors for a white background and black letters, helping with reading, and in the positive claims of the products, avoiding conflicting information that could confuse the customer.

Although added sugar is present in all eggs analyzed by Idec, it is possible to find items on the market that are free of this component, as is the case with the São Paulo brand Luckau, Kopenhagen and Brasil Cacau, which offer products without the “high in added sugar” seal. “. The excessive presence of saturated fat, on the other hand, is more common.

But the excess of the three critical nutrients present in Anvisa’s norm should not be the only factor analyzed at the time of purchase, even if it is associated with a higher rate of NCDs (chronic non-communicable diseases) such as hypertension and diabetes, reminds nutritionist Laís Amaral , from Idec. The list of ingredients, which are always in order of quantity on the label, needs to be taken into account.

The predominance of emulsifiers and flavorings in the composition, used to make food more attractive, place products in the ultra-processed category, which are equally harmful to health. A review published in 2020 in the British Journal of Nutrition, for example, identified a relationship between the consumption of this type of product and a greater risk of metabolic syndrome, overweight, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, depression and general mortality. For these reasons, ultra-processed foods are not recommended by the Food Guide for the Brazilian Population, which establishes official dietary guidelines in the country.

The nutritionist also reinforces that it is important to be aware of changes in formulation that could harm the consumer. In Chile, which adhered to the frontal alerts for the same nutrients as Brazil, added sugar has been gradually replaced in formulas by sweeteners, which research indicates that an excess can be harmful to the body. “This runs the risk of happening soon around here”, predicts Amaral.

The balance in consumption is another point to be analyzed. Because they are linked to parties, Easter eggs have an affective value that should weigh in the decision, says nutritionist Sophie Deram, PhD in endocrinology from the Faculty of Medicine of USP (University of São Paulo). The professional advises that the person consume the chocolate they like best, but in small quantities, using the labels as support for this choice.

The expert cites the example of children. “It is common to see them getting many Easter eggs, one from each member of the family. This excess is harmful and it is better to give just one egg that has enchanted them than five, eight or ten that they have not even asked for”, she says. .

wanted by Sheet, Abicab (Brazilian Association of the Chocolate, Peanut and Candy Industry), which represents the industries in the sector, states that the segment is committed to improving its processes. The entity also recommends the moderate consumption of chocolates.