ULTRA-PROCESSED FROZEN AND READY TO HEAT FOODS VERSUS HEALTH AND WELLNESS TREND IN PORTO ALEGRE, RIO GRANDE DO SUL STATE

Authors

  • Jéssica Petersen Kruel
  • Poliana Deyse Gurak
  • Monica Concha-Amin Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12957/demetra.2018.32455

Keywords:

Direct-to-Consumer Advertising. Industrialized Foods. Frozen Foods. Consumer Behavior. Public Health.

Abstract

Objectives: To verify whether food products classified as ultra-processed frozen and ready to heat, marketed in the city of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul state, are being manufactured with attributes of the health and wellness trend. Methods: A descriptive observational study of analysis of labels was carried out at four supermarkets and at one whole retail store from the city of Porto Alegre-RS. The group of analyzed products includes: pizzas, lasagne, ready-made dishes like Bolognese pasta, risottos, nuggets, among others. The choice of the visited unit was based on the predominant location of thelower-middle classin the city of Porto Alegre registered in the Porto Alegre Socioeconomic Analysis 2017. Results: 77% of the general sample was classified with excess fat; 95% with excess sodium; 70% without intentionally added dyes and 78% without preservatives; 11% was considered light in sodium; 74% as non-fiber source and 74% do not use advertising on the label to differentiate the product in the market. Group A had higher weight of the portion (g), higher percentage from total fat (%),total fat (g) and fibers in the portion (g), higher sodium/kcal ratio, higher number of ingredients, of light products, of products that arefiber sources and the use of advertising on the label. Group B only presented a higher amount of trans fat in the portion. Discussion: By facing competitors with less "healthy" products on supermarket shelves, large brands continue to bet more on the production and marketing of large volumes than on the health and wellness trend. Conclusions: The investigated labels did not exhibit evidences to fit into the line of products that have the attributes of the health and wellness trend. However, in group A, the most recognized brands, it was possible to discreetly identify some aspects of this trend, such as the presence of light versions, having more grams of fibers in the portion and sources of fibers, less trans fat in the portion and no intentional addition of additives. Thus, consumers from thelower-middle class, in Porto Alegre, have in this line of products few alternatives to a healthier diet, which suggests a greater attention to policy makers and practices for a better quality of life related to nutrition.

DOI: 10.12957/demetra.2018.32455

 

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Author Biographies

Jéssica Petersen Kruel

Nutricionista - UFCSPA

Poliana Deyse Gurak

Departamento de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre- UFCSPA -).

Monica Concha-Amin, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre

Departamento de Ciências Exatas e Sociais Aplicadas (DECESA)

M.S. e D.S. em Economia Aplicada (UFV e UFRGS respectivamente)

CV: http://lattes.cnpq.br/0268693055487067

Doutora pela UFRGS (2006-2011)- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Economia (PPGE). Área: Economia Aplicada. Linha de pesquisa: Desenvolvimento Humano e Regional. Preferência pela pesquisa aplicada com base em evidência empírica, aplicações à economia e outras ciências tendo em conta a importância da análise transversal. Temas: análise da criminalidade, delinquência e outros assuntos tais como "Trabalho e Juventudes", "Economia da Saúde". Possui graduação em Economia pela Universidad del Valle (Valle del Cauca, Colômbia, 1997) e mestrado em Economia Aplicada pela Universidade Federal de Viçosa (Minas Gerais, Brasil, 2003). Tem experiência em docência e atua como pesquisadora em temas diversos: cálculo de indicadores, estudos relacionados com Juventudes e inclusão social, Direito e Economia, Pobreza e Meio Ambiente, Organização Industrial, Economia da Saúde. Trabalhou no setor bancário na Colômbia no período entre 1998 e 2002. Propôs site e-business para microempresas rurais na Colômbia em 2000 -2001. Research in empirical facts, indicators, surveys, Law and Economics, Poverty and Environment, and Industrial Economics. Economist by Universidad del Valle (Colombia, 1997) and M.S. in Applied Economics by Universidade Federal de Viçosa (Brasil, MG, 2003). D.S. in Applied Economics by Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Subjects: youth and job search, turnover, industrial organization, criminality, drugs, indicators, health and economics, poverty and environment.

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Published

2018-05-21

How to Cite

1.
Kruel JP, Gurak PD, Concha-Amin M. ULTRA-PROCESSED FROZEN AND READY TO HEAT FOODS VERSUS HEALTH AND WELLNESS TREND IN PORTO ALEGRE, RIO GRANDE DO SUL STATE. DEMETRA [Internet]. 2018 May 21 [cited 2025 Jul. 4];13(1):37-54. Available from: https://www.e-publicacoes.uerj.br/demetra/article/view/32455

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 1 (2018)

Section

FREE THEMED ARTICLES

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