title: International collaborative project to compare and monitor the nutritional composition of processed foods.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic diseases are the leading cause of premature death and disability in the world with overnutrition a primary cause of diet-related ill health. Excess energy intake, saturated fat, sugar, and salt derived from processed foods are a major cause of disease burden. Our objective is to compare the nutritional composition of processed foods between countries, between food companies, and over time.
  
  
  METHODS
  Surveys of processed foods will be done in each participating country using a standardized methodology. Information on the nutrient composition for each product will be sought either through direct chemical analysis, from the product label, or from the manufacturer. Foods will be categorized into 14 groups and 45 categories for the primary analyses which will compare mean levels of nutrients at baseline and over time. Initial commitments to collaboration have been obtained from 21 countries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This collaborative approach to the collation and sharing of data will enable objective and transparent tracking of processed food composition around the world. The information collected will support government and food industry efforts to improve the nutrient composition of processed foods around the world.
authors.affiliation: The George Institute for Global Health, Missenden Rd., Camperdown, NSW, Australia. edunford@georgeinstitute.org.au
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dunford
authors.forename: Jacqui
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Webster
authors.forename: Adriana Blanco
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Metzler
authors.forename: Sebastien
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Czernichow
authors.forename: Cliona
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ni Mhurchu
authors.forename: Petro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wolmarans
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Snowdon
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: L'Abbe
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Pallab K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Maulik
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barquera
authors.forename: Verónica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Schoj
authors.forename: Lorena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Allemandi
authors.forename: Norma
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Samman
authors.forename: Elizabete Wenzel
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: de Menezes
authors.forename: Trevor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hassell
authors.forename: Johana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ortiz
authors.forename: Julieta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salazar de Ariza
authors.forename: A Rashid
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.forename: Leticia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: de Núñez
authors.forename: Maria Reyes
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: van Rossum
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Westenbrink
authors.forename: Lim Meng
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Thiam
authors.forename: Graham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: MacGregor
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Neal
mesh_terms: D001208:Asia; D001315:Australia; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005060:Europe; D057140:Fast Foods / Q000032:analysis* / Q000145:classification; D005515:Food Labeling; D005525:Food-Processing Industry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D033161:Government Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D009656:North America; D018673:Nutrition Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D009753:Nutritive Value; D010139:Pacific Islands; D016730:Program Development; D013019:South Africa; D013020:South America; D013997:Time Factors