Abstract
Extruded snack foods are consumed worldwide due to the variety of shapes, textures and flavors, in addition to the convenience in consumption. However, most formulations have a reduced biological value and high levels of sodium chloride (NaCl). Currently, in Brazil, in addition to nutritional information, it is necessary to inform the consumer about the presence of allergenic foods. Some requirements on this subject were established by RDC No. 26 of July from 2015. Since the regularization of RDC No. 26/2015, there has been a lack of studies focusing on the evaluation of the labeling of various foods, including snacks. Thus, the present study had two objectives: to verify the labels of snacks of different commercial brands according to RDC No. 26 of 2015 on allergens, and to determine the sodium content and compare it with the description in the nutritional information provided on the packaging of products. The evaluation of the labelling of extruded snacks found non-conformities in four brands of the sixteen analyzed. Based on RDC No. 26 of 2015 on food allergens, it was found that there was a lack of mandatory information related to allergenic ingredients, such as wheat flour. It was found that 87.5% of snacks contained some allergens and that only 68.75% of the labels were in accordance with RDC No. 26/2015. In addition, it was identified that most of the labels lacked information on cross-contamination by allergens in the processing of the products. Regarding the sodium analysis, the results obtained by flame atomic absorption spectrometry showed that in most samples, the sodium concentration was high and that it differed from the values indicated in the nutritional table of the packages. Therefore, the high addition of sodium in the form of sodium chloride in the extruded snacks may contribute to exceeding the recommended daily intake and, consequently, increase the availability for risks of cardiovascular and coronary diseases, among others, associated with the excessive consumption of NaCl.
Keywords:
Extruded; Health; Allergy; Legislation; Packaging; NaCl
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