With the rise of health-conscious eating habits, "0 sugar," "0 calories," and "0 fat" have become selling points for many beverages. Recently, the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission launched the "First Batch of Nutrition and Health Guidance Pilot Projects," which includes the trial implementation of the "nutrition selection" grading label for beverages. This is the first time China has introduced a "nutrition selection" grading label for beverages, which comprehensively reflects the content of sugar, fat, and other nutrients in beverages.
Many people are paying attention to how this grading system works, whether it is scientifically reasonable, and whether choosing beverages according to it means being healthier. Today, let's discuss this issue~
How are the nutrition grades determined?
Nutrition grading labels are a way to visually represent the nutritional content of food and beverages, allowing consumers to quickly assess their nutritional value. They help us make healthier decisions when purchasing food and beverages.
The "Nutrition Choices" label categorizes beverages based on a grading principle. They divide beverages into four grades, namely ABCD, mainly based on the content of non-dairy sugars, saturated fats, trans fats, and non-sugar sweeteners in the beverages.
Boundary Values: The sugar boundary values are 0.5, 5, and 11.5. 0.5g/100ml is the threshold stipulated in the current Chinese national standard for pre-packaged foods (GB 28050-2011) for claiming "sugar-free," while 5g/100ml is the threshold for claiming "low sugar." 11.5 is the boundary for high sugar according to the dietary guidelines, where beverages with sugar content ≥ 11.5/100ml are considered high in sugar.
Non-dairy sugars refer to sugars other than lactose. Lactose mainly comes from milk, meaning lactose in milk is not counted.
Non-sugar sweeteners refer to what we commonly call sugar substitutes or sweeteners, such as xylitol, aspartame, and acesulfame.
Trans fat: The requirement for grades A and B is ≤ 0.3g/100ml, which is also the threshold in the current national standard for claiming absence of trans fatty acids.
There are two threshold values for saturated fat: 0.75g/100ml and 2.5g/100ml.
Generally, products with less sugar, no sweeteners, less fat, and less saturated and trans fat are classified as grade A or B.
How to interpret? There are mixed reactions to this "nutrition grading." Some people see it as a good attempt to make everyone more aware of the nutritional value of beverages when making choices. Others, however, view it as mere formalism that doesn't significantly improve actual health conditions.
So, how should we view this "nutrition grading"?
Firstly, we need to understand that the intention behind "nutrition grading" is to provide consumers with a more intuitive understanding of the nutritional value of beverages, thus assisting them in making healthier choices. From this perspective, its introduction has positive significance.
However, this "nutrition grading" system might be misjudging certain items. For instance:
Pure freshly squeezed fruit juice often contains over 5% sugar, with many exceeding 11.5%, which should categorize it as grade C or D.
Whole milk with its saturated fat content of around 1.86g/100ml should fall into grade B or C.
A coffee or milk tea with added milk, which increases saturated fat content, might be rated as grade B or C. In this grading system, an Americano is classified as grade A while some lattes are grade C. However, adding a bit of milk to a latte, in my opinion, makes it healthier than an Americano as it can help replenish lost calcium.
This grading also specifically points out that only products without non-sugar sweeteners can achieve grade A. This implies that once artificial sweeteners are used, the product cannot be grade A, possibly due to past controversies surrounding artificial sweeteners.
Nevertheless, the "Healthy China Action (2019-2030)" explicitly states: "Research and establish guidelines for limiting added sugar intake for Chinese children as soon as possible, advocating for the substitution of natural sweeteners and sweeteners in beverages." "Encourage urban populations with high sugar intake to reduce consumption of sugary beverages and sweets, opting for beverages and foods produced with natural sweeteners and sweeteners instead of sugar."
Source: "Healthy China Action (2019-2030)"
In fact, approved sugar substitutes are all safe. Opting for plain water or unsweetened tea is undoubtedly the healthiest choice, but if you crave sweetness without the sugar, artificial sweeteners remain the best alternative for now. After all, when we eat or drink, a crucial need is to enjoy the deliciousness and happiness it brings.
Furthermore, the concept of "nutrient grading" is not all-powerful. We shouldn't rely solely on it, nor should we treat it as a health "amulet" or "shield."
If you believe that choosing Grade A or B makes you healthier, and therefore indulge in desserts, braised pork, or fried chicken, it doesn't necessarily mean you'll end up any healthier.
Overall, the implementation of the nutrient grading system in Shanghai's beverages provides us with a reference and is indeed a worthwhile new initiative to try. However, it's not the only standard. We still need to consider various factors, including our own physical condition and needs, to properly plan our daily diet and lifestyle for true health.
Lastly, it's worth reminding everyone that the fundamental principles of healthy eating are still about balanced combinations and moderate consumption. Within moderation, you can still enjoy delicious treats like milk tea and beverages. While relishing these delights, remember to maintain a balanced diet and engage in adequate exercise!
Currently, four enterprises in Shanghai are participating in the "nutrient selection" label pilot program. Throughout this year, products sold in Shanghai, including menus, beverage packaging, online ordering processes, and sales locations, will prominently display the "nutrient selection" grading labels that meet the requirements. Let's stay tuned to see what the future holds.
