Nutritional composition of foods is crucial especially in terms of certain nutrients, which can present health issues whean consumed in excess amounts for longer time periods. Such nutrient is also sodium. In this study, we examined what is the average amount of sodium in specific food categories in pre-packed foods, available on Slovenian market in years 2011 and 2015. Sales-weighted average sodium content was used. The results showed that from sodium content perspective, the most critical food categories were meat and derivatives, bread, cheese and ready meals. Sales-weighted sodium content was lower than average sodium content in most food categories in 2011 as well as in 2015. We observed no statistically significant difference in average sodium content between 2011 and 2015 in any of food categories. The results show that most foods which are advertised to children on television and in print media have poor nutritional composition. As a method for integrated evaluation of nutritional composition of foods, method of nutritional profiling was found useful. We used Ofcom and WHO nutrient profiling model, which are being used for limiting food advertising to children in media. From this point of view, legal regulation of this area would be necessary in Slovenia, not only on television, where it was recently applied, but also in all other media.
|