Changes in nutrition content and health claims post-implementation of regulation in Australia.

Objective: To determine whether there were changes in the prevalence or healthiness of products carrying claims post-implementation of Standard 1.2.7: Nutrition, Health and Related Claims in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

Design: Observational survey of claims on food packages in three categories: non-alcoholic beverages, breakfast cereals and cereal bars. Nutrient profiling was applied to products to determine their eligibility to carry health claims under Standard 1.2.7. The Standard came into effect in 2013. The proportion of products carrying claims and the proportion of those not meeting the nutrient profiling criteria were calculated. A comparative analysis was conducted to determine changes between 2011 and 2016.

Setting: Three large metropolitan stores from the three major supermarket chains in Sydney, Australia were surveyed in 2011 and 2016.

Participants: All claims on all available products in 2016 (n 1737). Nutrition composition and ingredients were collected from the packaging.

Results: Overall in 2016, 76 % of products carried claims and there were 7367 claims identified in the three food categories. Of products in 2016 with health claims, 34 % did not meet nutrient profiling criteria. These may breach Standard 1.2.7. Comparison of 2011-2016 showed a significant increase in the number of products carrying claims (66 v. 76 %, P < 0·001).

Conclusions: The proportion of products carrying claims that do not meet nutrient profiling and consumers' tendency to infer health benefits from nutrition content claims warrants the regulation of all claims using the nutrient profiling. This will ensure consumers are not misled by claims on unhealthy food products.