The aim of this study was to analyze the proximate and mineral composition of 21 types of biscuits. All biscuits showed high fat contents, significantly different (P < 0.05) from those described on the labels, except for three brands. Insoluble fiber fractions were predominant in the analyzed samples. Among the 21 biscuits analyzed, 16 showed food label values 20% higher than those allowed by law, according to RDC 360, for fat, protein, total fiber, calcium, and sodium levels. This difference reached 273% for the sodium content. The calcium content was included only on the label of three samples analyzed, and the values described were significantly lower than those obtained analytically. Considering that biscuits are consumed by people of all age groups and of different socioeconomic levels, the results can contribute to the plans for health policies, such as surveillance of nutritional labeling, ensuring the reliability of the information provided by the food industry and enabling the identification of the relationship between dietary factors and the occurrence of non-transmissible chronic diseases.

OBJETIVO: Objetivou-se avaliar a estabilidade do ácido ascórbico em suco in natura de tangerina cultivar Ponkan sob diferentes condições de armazenamento, e em 13 amostras de bebidas industrializadas de tangerina, bem como a estabilidade da atividade antioxidante no suco in natura. MÉTODOS: O suco in natura de tangerina foi armazenado em três temperaturas: ambiente, refrigeração e congelamento. Amostras de tangerinas foram armazenadas sob refrigeração. Treze marcas de bebidas industrializadas de tangerina foram adquiridas e mantidas sob refrigeração. Foram determinados o teor de ácido ascórbico pelo método titulométrico de Tillmans (Association of Official Analytical Chemists) e a atividade antioxidante por meio da capacidade sequestradora do radical 2,2-difenil-1-picril-hidrazila. RESULTADOS: O suco in natura apresentou teor médio de ácido ascórbico de 32,40mg/100mL; a taxa de redução deste nutriente foi maior em temperatura de estocagem mais elevada. A atividade antioxidante média foi de 89,74% de inibição do radical 2,2-difenil-1-picril-hidrazila, apresentando variações de até 4,26% durante o armazenamento. Nas bebidas industrializadas, o teor médio de ácido ascórbico variou entre 1,01 e 10,72mg/100mL, com perdas de até 82,76%. Com base na legislação brasileira, seis marcas de bebidas industrializadas apresentaram não conformidades em relação à declaração do teor de ácido ascórbico nos rótulos. CONCLUSÃO: O suco de tangerina cultivar Ponkan apresenta elevada atividade antioxidante, inclusive durante o armazenamento. Observou-se superioridade nutricional do suco fresco em comparação às bebidas industrializadas, considerando o teor de ácido ascórbico e sua estabilidade. Adicionalmente, os dados obtidos apontam para a necessidade de maior fiscalização em relação à rotulagem nutricional.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyze the ascorbic acid stability of mandarin juice from the cultivar Ponkan under different storage conditions, and of 13 samples of processed mandarin beverages, as well as the antioxidant activity stability of fresh juice. METHODS: Fresh mandarin juice was stored under three temperatures: room temperature, refrigeration and freezing. Mandarin samples were kept under refrigeration. Thirteen brands of processed mandarin beverages were purchased and kept under refrigeration. Ascorbic acid level was determined by the Tillman's titrimetric method (Association of Official Analytical Chemists) and antioxidant activity by the radical scavenger capacity using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical. RESULTS: The mean ascorbic acid level in fresh juice was 32.40mg/100mL and the reduction rate of this nutrient was higher when the samples were stored under higher temperatures. The average antioxidant activity was 89.74% of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical inhibition, with variations of up to 4.26% during storage. Among the processed beverages, the mean ascorbic acid content varied from 1.01 to 10.72mg/100mL, with losses of up to 82.76%. Six brands of processed beverages were considered noncompliant with the Brazilian legislation regarding the ascorbic acid content reported in the labels. CONCLUSION: Mandarin juice from the Ponkan cultivar has high antioxidant activity, even during storage. The fresh juice was nutritionally better than the processed beverages, considering ascorbic acid content and stability. Additionally, the results indicated the need of greater surveillance of nutritional labeling.