The nutritional composition and in-store marketing of processed and packaged snack foods available at supermarkets in South Africa.

Objectives: Over recent decades, the commercial ultra-processed food industry has grown, making snacks high in energy, added sugar, saturated fat and sodium affordable and accessible to consumers. Dietary patterns high in ultra-processed snacks are concerning as this can result in negative health outcomes. This study aims to provide insight into available snack products in South African supermarkets, and the marketing thereof, which can be used to support policy development aimed at improving the healthfulness of the food supply and consumption patterns.