(PTFS11-05-25) Evaluating the Nutritional Quality of Processed Foods for Children in Ghana: Insights From the WHO Nutrient Profiling Criteria

Objectives: This study sought to determine whether industrially processed food products sold in major supermarkets in the Cape Coast metropolis are healthy or unhealthy for children based on the WHO Nutrient Profiling Model (WHONPM) for the African region.

Methods: This study employed a Cross-sectional study design identifying labeled industrially processed foods that are common in the major supermarkets in Cape Coast, Ghana. The study estimated and sampled 3 major supermarkets in Cape Coast which the population frequent following a two-stage sampling procedure. Data collected included: name of food product, food category by WHONPM, composition of total fat, sugar, sodium, and saturated fats per 100g of each product identified. Descriptive analyses were undertaken to describe the number of products from each food group and the proportion of products categorized as ‘unhealthy’ and ‘healthy’ by the WHONPM.

Results: Out of 166 industrial processed foods, 55% were found to be unhealthy, 22% of them healthy, and 23%  inconclusive. The study revealed that Milk and dairy-based drinks(16. 6%) are the most common products in supermarkets. Highest average total sugars of 61.7g per 100g with Standard Deviation (SD) of 35.80 was recorded by Chocolate and sugar confectionery, energy bars, sweet toppings and desserts, exceeding the recommended threshold of 6.0 g per 100 g by the WHO-NPM. Cheese and analogues had the highest average total fat of 22g per 100g (SD =1.41), exceeding the recommended threshold of 20.0 g per 100 g. Highest average total sodium of 2.8g per 100g (SD of 4.5), was recorded by Sauce, dips and seasonings and dressings exceeding the recommended threshold of 0.30g per 100 g. Highest average total energy recorded was 388.6 kcal, (SD = 177.3) by cakes, sweet biscuits and pastries, other sweet bakery products, dry mixes for making such, exceeding the recommended threshold of 230 kcal per 100g. Butter and other fats and oils, and fat emulsions had the highest average saturated fat of 10.4g per 100g (SD = 6.1),  which is below the recommended threshold of 35.0g per 100g.

Conclusions: A significant proportion of processed food products sold in major supermarkets in Cape Coast are unhealthy for children. Public education on the risk of industrially processed foods should be encouraged.

Funding Sources: Self-funded