During the past decade, tremendous growth has occurred in the use of nutrition symbols and rating systems designed to summarize key nutritional aspects and characteristics of food products. These symbols and the systems that underlie them have become known as front-of-package (FOP) nutrition rating systems and symbols, even though the symbols themselves can be found anywhere on the front of a food package or on a retail shelf tag. Though not regulated and inconsistent in format, content, and criteria, FOP systems and symbols have the potential to provide useful guidance to consumers as well as maximize effectiveness. As a result, Congress directed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to undertake a study with the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to examine and provide recommendations regarding FOP nutrition rating systems and symbols. The study was completed in two phases. Phase I focused primarily on the nutrition criteria underlying FOP systems. Phase II builds on the results of Phase I while focusing on aspects related to consumer understanding and behavior related to the development of a standardized FOP system. Front-of-Package Nutrition Rating Systems and Symbols focuses on Phase II of the study. The report addresses the potential benefits of a single, standardized front-label food guidance system regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, assesses which icons are most effective with consumer audiences, and considers the systems/icons that best promote health and how to maximize their use.

Does a longer life mean a healthier life? The number of adults over 65 in the United States is growing, but many may not be aware that they are at greater risk from foodborne diseases and their nutritional needs change as they age. The IOM's Food Forum held a workshop October 29-30, 2009, to discuss food safety and nutrition concerns for older adults.

The significance of industrial processing for the nature of food and the state of human health - and in particular the techniques and ingredients developed by modern food science and technology - is generally underestimated. This is evident in both national and international policies and strategies designed to improve populations' nutrition and health. Until recently it has also been neglected in epidemiological and experimental studies concerning diet, nutrition and health. This report seeks to assess the impact of ultra-processed food on diet quality and health, based on NOVA, a food classification system developed by researchers at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Metabolomics enables valuable information about the biochemical composition of foods to be rapidly obtained. Since the biochemical profile of food largely determines key food properties such as flavour and shelf life, the information gained using metabolomics-based methods will enable greater control of food quality and also help to determine the relationship between diet and health. Metabolomics in food and nutrition provides an overview of their current and potential use in the food industry.Part one reviews equipment, methods and data interpretation in metabolomics including the use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), statistical methods in metabolomics, and metabolic reconstruction databases and their application to metabolomics research. Part two explores applications of metabolomics in humans, plants and food. Chapters discuss metabolomics in nutrition, human samples for health assessments, and current methods for the analysis of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and their novel applications. Further chapters highlight metabolomic analysis of plants and crops, metabolomics for the safety assessment of genetically modified (GM) crops, and applications of metabolomics in food science including food composition and quality, sensory and nutritional attributes.With its distinguished editors and team of expert contributors, Metabolomics in food and nutrition is a technical resource for industrial researchers in the food and nutrition sectors interested in the potential of metabolomics methods and academics and postgraduate students working in the area. - Provides an overview of the current and potential future use of metabolomics in the food industry - Chapters focus on key applications and review the analytical methods used and the bioinformatics techniques involved in processing the results - Discusses metabolomics in nutrition, human samples for health assessments, and current methods for the analysis of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and their novel applications

Responding to the dramatic scientific and technological developments in the agro-food sector and to the enormous public concern about novel food production and novel food ingredients this volume focusses on defining, classifying and reassessing the quality of food towards human nutritional needs aimed at health. It is designed for all those actively involved in the food sector and for interested lay persons and responsible consumers interested in getting information about the driving forces of the present and future food market, the food industry, and the food policy and the consumer association.

Diet quality is a broad term that encapsulates both perceived and actual practices, personal preferences and cultural diversity. Measuring dietary quality can be problematic and includes investigating food types, the number or size of portions or their frequency. Diet quality may also be related to the type of food being ingested, snacking and other eating habits. Manufactured beverages and fast food may also be included as well as microbiological quality and attempts to improve single food items such as meats or vegetables. In this book, Diet Quality: An Evidence-Based Approach, Volume 2 all of the major facets of diet quality in relation to health outcomes are covered. This important new text includes methods for determining diet quality while adopting a holistic approach to impart information on the major areas of concern or knowledge. Chapters link in measurable indices of health such as obesity, pregnancy outcomes, cancer and cancer outcomes, and mortality. This book represents a diverse set of subject matters and seeks to fill a gap in the literature at a time when there is an increasing awareness that well being is associated with the qualitative nature of diets. Contributors are authors of international and national standing and emerging fields of science are incorporated. Diet Quality: An Evidence-Based Approach, Volume 2 is a useful new text designed for nutritionists, dietitians, clinicians, epidemiologist, policy makers and health care professionals of various disciplines.

Drawing upon 842 indexed journal studies from the fields of cell biology, toxicology, immunology, neurology and genetics, Environmental Nutrition offers a molecular-level understanding of the link between environment, food quality, and disease. Included in the book are in-depth explorations of controversial topics like food irradiation and pesticide use, evaluations of over 100 toxic substances commonly found in food, and a detailed cellular-level analysis of potential health implications. Strategies for the establishment of environmental standards in nutrition are outlined, including sustainable agriculture and organic food production. (304 pages, 112 tables and figures, 842 indexed journal references.)