New Zealand supermarkets stocking 'unhealthiest' food available: study
WELLINGTON - Most of the packaged food in New Zealand supermarkets is the "unhealthiest food available," according to a controversial study out Thursday.
These foods were ultra-processed and less healthy than less processed foods, Dr Wilma Waterlander, of the University of Auckland's School of Population Health, said in a statement.
"These findings highlight the need to improve the supermarket food supply by reducing numbers of ultra-processed foods and reformulating products to improve their nutritional profile," said Waterlander.
Ultra-processed foods had the worst nutrient profile, but they were the most available packaged products in a sample of New Zealand supermarkets in 2011 and 2013.
The researchers examined the availability of packaged food products in supermarkets and classified according to their level of industrial processing and their nutrient profiling score (NPSC), the price (energy, unit and serving costs) and the brand variety.
The majority 84 percent in 2011 and 83 percent in 2013 of packaged foods were classified as ultra-processed.
"This study observed many variations of virtually the same product. The 10 largest food manufacturers produced 35 percent of all packaged foods available," said Waterlander.
"If we are serious about improving population diets, we need to look at the whole system," she said.
"We need to study how food moves from the farm to the supermarket and how we can work with all actors to improve this system. It is not fair to solely blame supermarkets or food industry; it is all linked together."
However, the New Zealand Food and Grocery Council industry group said it was a "disappointing study of politicking dressed up as academic research."
Council chief executive Katherine Rich said the study was also flawed due to its "misuse" of the NPSC, which was not designed "to determine healthiness."
"For example, according to the research, 'ultra-processed' food includes bread, frozen and canned vegetables, breakfast cereal, dried fruit, cheese and yoghurt. These are foods that most people would agree are part of a healthy and balanced diet," Rich said in a statement. (PNA/Xinhua)
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