ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Brazilian legislation provides regulations for the marketing of supplements for athletes. In this context one of the most widely used supplements for athletes are the carbohydrate-rich ones, which are excellent sources of energy for exercise. Objective: To evaluate the adequacy of the labeling of supplements based on carbohydrates marketed in Brasília, Federal District, Brazil according to the current legislation.
Methods:
The labels of products marketed in drugstores and nutritional supplement stores were evaluated in the region of the Plano Piloto de Brasília. The information evaluated on the labels were intended use of the product, specific composition, presence of mandatory phrase and absence of prohibited images and expressions according to the Resolution of the Collegiate Board of Directors number 18/2010 of the National Agency of Sanitary Surveillance (ANVISA).
Results:
Sixty national and imported products were cataloged. It was observed that 75% of the sample products had some item that failed to comply with the regulation. The presence of the mandatory statement in bold and highlighted was the item with the highest percentage of inadequacy (73.3%). In addition, there have been cases where the mandatory statement is worded with opposite meaning. All supplements have complied with the legislation regarding the minimum carbohydrate content relative to the total energy value of the product and the minimum amount of carbohydrate per serving.
Conclusions:
Considering that 75% carbohydrate-based supplements were inadequate for labeling and that the most frequent mismatch was the absence or incorrect wording of the mandatory statement on the labels of supplements, it is concluded that this type of irregularity serves the interests of industry and not necessarily the interests of the consumer. The presence of the mandatory statement in the product is an easily enforceable requirement, therefore, it is emphasized a more efficient inspection of the energy supplements marketed. Level of Evidence III; Economic and decision analyses - Developing an economic or decision model.
Keywords:
Dietary supplements; Carbohydrates; Nutritional facts; Legislation.