Brazil hosted the launch of The Lancet series on ultra-processed foods and human health, in the external auditorium of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), in Brasilia, this Wednesday morning (12/03). The event to publicize the articles of the academic journal — considered one of the largest in the world — brought together researchers who highlighted scientific evidence concerning the health impacts of these products.
Present were the authors of the articles in the series, namely Carlos Monteiro and Patrícia Jaime, members of the Center for Epidemiological Research in Nutrition and Health of the University of São Paulo (Nupens-USP), as well as Professor Phillip Baker, from the University of Sydney, Australia.
Read also
-
Claudia Meireles
Doctor highlights popular medications that can harm the liver
-
Claudia Meireles
Cardiologist cites 3 risk factors that harm arteries the most
-
Claudia Meireles
Study links ultra-processed foods to health risks and premature death
-
Claudia Meireles
Do you think you have fatty liver disease? The hepatologist answers what to do
Representatives of the Ministries of Health, Social Development and Fight against Hunger as well as United Nations (UN) agencies were present on the occasion. At the event, a global public policy agenda aimed at solving the “problem” surrounding the consumption of ultra-processed foods was presented. A debate moderated by cook, writer and businesswoman Rita Lobo, as well as “defender of real food”, was also part of the program.
Rita Lobo moderated a debate
Replacement of the traditional standard for ultra-processed products
First, the speaker was Professor Carlos Monteiro, creator of the concept of ultra-processed foods. Founder of Nupens, he detailed the work developed for the scientific journal: “Three years ago, a group of researchers, of which I was part, proposed to the Lancet a series on ultra-processed foods and human health. The project involved 43 authors, who work, conduct research and have published scientific articles on the subject. These 43 people belong to universities on five continents.”
Entitled Ultra-processed foods and human health, the thesis of the USP doctor and epidemiologist confirmed the existence of the replacement of traditional diets with ultra-processed diets. He sets an example by swapping water, tea and natural juices for soft drinks. According to Monteiro, this change “is a key determinant of the pandemic of diet-related chronic diseases,” such as diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure.
Researcher Carlos Monteiro
The researcher also presented “the new classification of foods based on the extent and purpose of their industrial processing”. In total, there are four groups, classified into unprocessed or minimally processed foods; processed culinary ingredients; processed foods; and ultra-processed foods.
According to the doctor, ultra-processed foods “cannot be defined as foods, but rather as industrial formulations”. He stressed that these options were created to replace all other groups in the new classification and to modify traditional eating habits. Monteiro also endorsed the use of xenobiotics, chemicals that “the body cannot metabolize.”
“In fact, ultra-processed foods act as a dietary pattern by which individuals and societies are gradually replacing conventional foods with ultra-processed foods. The first substitution, which takes place in countries, is stop drinking water, coffee, tea and natural fruit juices and start consuming carbonated drinks. It is the general gateway for ultra-processed foods,” argued Carlos Monteiro.
“The ultra-processed currency is not due to the consumption of flavored sodas and yogurts. It involves this set of changes from the traditional standard to the ultra-processed standard,” he clarified. According to the epidemiologist, this model already exists in Brazil. “Three hypotheses have been tested and proven in the country. Indeed, in Brazil we have identified an increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods, a negative impact on diet quality and an increase in the risk of multiple chronic diseases,” he indicated.
Nupens researchers Patrícia Jaime and Carlos Monteiro presented papers on ultra-processed foods
Public policies
In conclusion, Monteiro emphasized that “the evidence justifies a global health response,” a topic highlighted in the article co-produced by public health doctor and nutritionist Patrícia Jaime. During the presentation of the document entitled Policies to halt and reverse the increase in production, advertising and consumption of ultra-processed foodsthe researcher stressed that it is necessary to develop broader policies that “look” at the food system and take into account the production, advertising and encouragement of the consumption of these foods.
An approach proposed by the authors and cited by Patrícia involves appropriately identify ultra-processed foods according to the new classification, i.e. with the number 4 written on the packaging.
“By identifying all foods that have some of the characteristics that characterize ultra-processed foods, these are the ingredients used exclusively in the industrial process and the presence of additives or associated functional components, which enhance the flavor and texture,” said the nutritionist.
Patrícia Jaime, doctor of public health and nutritionist, highlighted the approaches mentioned in the article.
Another topic addressed by the public health doctor concerns the nutritional profile of each country. “By using these existing models and adding layers of information so that we can capture all the ultra-processed foods available on the market,” he explained. She continued: “We present food and nutritional possibilities based on the reinforcement of successful experiences and mapped for the maintenance of these initiatives”.
In conclusion, Patrícia Jaime said: “Policies vary (from country to country), but the main message is that whatever the level of consumption, it is urgent to adopt a set of public policies that take into account the country’s position in the transition process towards ultra-transformed regimes and the economic and social characteristics of the contextual aspects of each country.
Discover the interview given by the public health doctor for the Claudia Meireles column:
Action against ultra-processed foods
Presented by Dr Phillip Baker, University of Sydney, the third article in the series is entitled Towards unified global action against ultra-processed foods: understanding the determinants of trade, tackling corporate power and mobilizing a public health response. According to the professor, Brazil “leads” the world against ultra-processed foods.
According to Baker, ultra-processed foods are an economic problem. He even compared these products to tobacco due to the addiction and advertising surrounding these options. For the professor, strategies must be presented to deal with the companies that produce these foods, because they aim “above all for profitability”.
Professor Phillip Baker, University of Sydney, Australia
Cook
Cook, writer, businesswoman, director of the Panelinha and Nupens partnership, Rita Lobo works to build communication strategies that promote real food and cooking as a public health tool. “Healthy eating means real food, and that’s everything that ultra-processed foods have taken away from us. It’s not the business of the housewife, but of the home, of women, of men, of adults and adolescents.”
“After more than 30 years of teaching millions of people how to cook, I can say that cooking is not a gift, it is a learning experience. No one is born knowing it. Even I was not born knowing it. I learned it, I can guarantee that everyone learns it. It’s like reading and writing. Everyone should know it,” he expressed.
According to Rita, the new classification of foods based on the extent and purpose of their industrial processing was the missing piece of the puzzle in being able to understand what real food is, including “the extreme opposite of ultra-processed foods.” “This shows us that cooking is a tool for getting ultra-processed foods off the table,” he guaranteed.
Below, discover the video of Rita Lobo’s interview for the column:
To find out more, follow the Vida&Estilo profile on Instagram.
About The Author
