title: Processed foods available in the Pacific Islands.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is an increasing reliance on processed foods globally, yet food composition tables include minimal information on their nutrient content. The Pacific Islands share common trade links and are heavily reliant on imported foods. The objective was to develop a dataset for the Pacific Islands on nutrient composition of processed foods sold and their sources.
  
  
  METHODS
  Information on the food labels, including country of origin, nutrient content and promotional claims were recorded into a standardised dataset. Data were cleaned, converted to per 100 g data as needed and then checked for anomalies and recording errors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five representative countries were selected for data collection, based on their trading patterns: Fiji, Guam, Nauru, New Caledonia, and Samoa. Data were collected in the capitals, in larger stores which import their own foods.
  
  
  METHODS
  Processed foods in stores.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The data from 6041 foods and drinks were recorded. Fifty four countries of origin were identified, with the main provider of food for each Pacific Island country being that with which it was most strongly linked politically. Nutrient data were not provided for 6% of the foods, imported from various countries. Inaccurate labels were found on 132 products. Over one-quarter of the foods included some nutrient or health-related claims.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The globalisation of the food supply is having considerable impacts on diets in the Pacific Islands. While nutrient labels can be informative for consumers looking for healthier options, difficulties still exist with poor labelling and interpretation can be challenging.
authors.affiliation: C-POND, Fiji National University and Deakin University, C/O College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, FNU (Tamavua Campus), Private Mail Bag, Suva, Fiji. wendy.snowdon@deakin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Snowdon
authors.forename: Astika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Raj
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Reeve
authors.forename: Rachael  L T
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Guerrero
authors.forename: Jioje
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fesaitu
authors.forename: Katia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cateine
authors.forename: Charlene
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guignet
mesh_terms: D003132:Commerce; D004032:Diet; D005511:Food Handling; D005515:Food Labeling; D005523:Food Supply; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D010139:Pacific Islands