AI Article Synopsis
- Nutrient Profiling Systems evaluate the healthiness of foods primarily based on their nutrient content but often overlook the health effects of food processing.
- A new system called Food Compass was developed to provide a more comprehensive assessment of food healthfulness but has been criticized for its algorithm and findings.
- Concerns include its inability to properly identify lacking nutrients, overly negative views of animal-based foods, and insufficiently addressing the dangers of ultraprocessed foods, leading to recommendations that may misguide consumers and policymakers.
Article Abstract
Nutrient Profiling Systems provide frameworks to assess the healthfulness of foods based on food composition and are intended as inputs into strategies to improve diets. Many Nutrient Profiling Systems are founded on a reductionist assumption that the healthfulness of foods is determined by the sum of their individual nutrients, with no consideration for the extent and purpose of processing and its health implications. A novel Nutrient Profiling System called Food Compass attempted to address existing gaps and provide a more holistic assessment of the healthfulness of foods. We propose that the chosen algorithm is not well justified and produces results that fail to discriminate for common shortfall nutrients, exaggerate the risks associated with animal-source foods, and underestimate the risks associated with ultraprocessed foods. We caution against the use of Food Compass in its current form to inform consumer choices, policies, programs, industry reformulations, and investment decisions.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.01.027 | DOI Listing |
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