Nutrition labelling of pre-packaged foods in Belgrade, Serbia: current situation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the presence of nutrition labels on pre-packaged food products, as well as to analyse the types of presentation.


METHODS
This was a descriptive study. The following characteristics were analysed: (i) presence and placement of the nutrition declaration (either as front-of-pack (FOP) or back-of-pack (BOP)); (ii) content of the presented information; (iii) presence of nutrition and health claims; and (iv) legibility of the written information. Settings Three different types of retailers in Belgrade, Serbia.


METHODS
A total of 2138 pre-packaged food products from ten categories.


RESULTS
A nutrition declaration was found on 65.9% of all tested products. It was displayed on the back of the packaging of 62.7% of products and on the front of the packaging of 19.1% of products. BOP was the most commonly observed in breakfast cereals, soft drinks, milk and instant soups (in total over 90%), and the least common in meat products (21.5%). FOP was predominantly displayed on breakfast cereals (65.0%) and the least frequently on milk products (2.4%). The 'Big 4' (energy value, protein, carbohydrate and fat contents) and the 'Big 4 with additional information' figured on 40.9% of products. The 'Big 8' ('Big 4' plus sugar, saturated fat, fibre and sodium contents) and the 'Big 8 with additional information' were present less frequently (20.5%). Nutrition claims and health claims appeared on very few products (6.6% and 6.3%, respectively). The proportion of products with insufficient legibility was 31.5%.


CONCLUSIONS
Nutrition labelling in Belgrade, Serbia is not satisfactory. Mandatory regulations may be the best way to improve the current situation.
1Institute for Hygiene and Medical Ecology, Faculty of Medicine,University of Belgrade,Dr Subotića 8,11000 Belgrade,Serbia.
Dragana B
DB
Davidović
2Clinic for Gastroenterology and Hepatology,Clinical Centre of Serbia, Faculty of Medicine,University of Belgrade,Belgrade,Serbia.
Dragan V
DV
Tomić
1Institute for Hygiene and Medical Ecology, Faculty of Medicine,University of Belgrade,Dr Subotića 8,11000 Belgrade,Serbia.
Katarina Ž
KŽ
Paunović
1Institute for Hygiene and Medical Ecology, Faculty of Medicine,University of Belgrade,Dr Subotića 8,11000 Belgrade,Serbia.
Nadja D
ND
Vasiljević
1Institute for Hygiene and Medical Ecology, Faculty of Medicine,University of Belgrade,Dr Subotića 8,11000 Belgrade,Serbia.
Jagoda B
JB
Jorga
D005515:Food Labeling; D018857:Food Packaging; D005523:Food Supply; D006801:Humans; D009753:Nutritive Value; D011932:Reading; D055771:Serbia
Labelling; Nutrition information; Pre-packaged food