Uso de edulcorantes na produção de alimentos e bebidas: frequência e utilização segundo a RDC nº18/2008, no cenário de pré-implementação da nova norma brasileira de rotulagem nutricional.

Abstract

Despite the lack of consensus about the impacts generated by the consumption of non-sugars sweeteners, the use of the additive has grown around the world. Such an increase has been related to the implementation of regulatory measures such as the taxation of sugary drinks and the adoption of frontal nutrition labeling (FoPNL) for products high in sugars. In Brazil, the Resolution of the Collegiate Board of Directors (RDC) No. 18/2008 is in effect, which regulates the use of sweeteners in foods and beverages. According to legislation, non-sugars sweeteners can only be used in specific categories, namely: foods and beverages for weight control; for diets with a restricted or controlled intake of sugars and/or with Complementary Nutritional Information (INC) referring to the attributes low or reduced in sugars or energy value, or still containing or without added sugars. Recently, RDC nº429/2020 and IN nº75/2020 came into force, which provides that foods with high added sugars, in addition to saturated fat and sodium, receive frontal nutritional labeling. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the frequency and use of non-sugars sweeteners in products sold in Brazil, in the pre-implementation scenario of the new nutritional labeling, in the light of RDC nº18/2008. Data from 3,335 products were evaluated, collected between March and May 2021, six months after the publication of RDC 429/2020 and IN 75/2020, marketed in one of the 10 largest supermarket chains in Brazil. A search was made in the ingredient lists, for the non-sugars sweeteners allowed according to RDC nº 18/2008, evaluating if the products fit into one of the categories allowed for use and if those that declared the non-sugars sweeteners content used were within the limits established by the legislation (in the case of beverages). For this, the sales denominations and the presence of INC related to the attributes described in RDC nº18/2008 were evaluated. 12.5% (n= 416) of the products had non-sugars sweeteners, with the most frequent categories being powders for preparing flans and desserts and soy drinks (100%), followed by powders for preparing gelatin (88.1 %), chewing gum (87.1%), ready-to-drink teas (84.6%), tonic water (83.3%) and soft drinks (70.2%). Among the products with non-sugars sweetener, 82% (n=342) were foods and beverages with INC referring to the attributes low or reduced in sugars or energy value, or not yet containing or without added sugars, 14% (n=57) were foods for diets with controlled sugar intake, 0.5% (n=2) were foods for diets with restricted sugars and 4% (n=15) were products that were not eligible to receive such an additive. All products that declared the non-sugars sweeteners content complied with the maximum limits established by legislation. It is noteworthy that 16.6% (n=57) of the eligible products for having INC, had such information in a place of little prominence, which can make it difficult to identify the additive in the product and induce the consumer to error and deceit at the time of purchase. purchase. It was concluded that the frequency of use of sweeteners was 12.5%, being widely used in powders for the preparation of flans, desserts, and gelatin, in addition to chewing gum and non-alcoholic beverages. Most products met the requirements of RDC 18/2008, however, 4% were not eligible for the use of non-sugars sweeteners, and 16.6% used INC in a place of little prominence. Monitoring the frequency of non-sugars sweeteners in products is necessary, especially in the post-implementation scenario of Brazilian standards for frontal nutrition labeling.