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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">By Carlos Monteiro and Patrícia
Jaime<span>  </span><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:17.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">World Nutrition 2020;11(4):94-99 <span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:29pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Abstract<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The present commentary summarizes
the attacks to the Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian Population from ultra<span></span></span><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">-processed food manufacturers and
the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA). After MAPA
issued a technical note calling on the Ministry of Health urgently to review
the Guide by cutting <span></span></span>

</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">out its recommendation to avoid
consumption of ultra-processed food products, without citing scientific
evidence, a wide group of scholars confirmed that the note had no valid foundation.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:29pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Background<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Defining healthy diets is relatively
simple. But confusion and controversies in the media can suggest otherwise. A
lot of commotion is caused by sources motivated by profit and not by personal
and public health, as this commentary will show. Making the scientific
knowledge on healthy diets accessible to everybody is one of the purposes of
the world-leading Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian Population (the Food
Guide) published by the Ministry of Health <span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="ES-TRAD"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The Guide was produced with the
technical support of the Center for Epidemiological Research in Nutrition and
Health of the University of São Paulo, as directed by the Brazilian Ministry of
Health, in consultation with the Pan American Health Organization of the World
Health Organization. It is the product of a thorough national consultation. In
draft it was circulated for review and comment by nutrition professionals from
all Brazilian states, by non-governmental organizations, and by the <span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">food industry. It has been
acknowledged in reports from the United Nations Food and Agriculture
Organization and by the Pan American Health Organization.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The Guide is for absolutely
everybody. Its central message can be summed up as “unpack less, and peel and
cook more.” The concept of peeling and cooking more, refers to unprocessed
foods, such as varieties of fruits and vegetables, and all sorts of minimally
processed foods, such as the Brazilian staples beans and rice and modest <span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">amounts of animal foods. <span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The Guide states that eating such
foods in the form of dishes and meals helps ensure consuming in a balanced way
the nutrients and other bioactive compounds that we need to maintain our health
and well-being. It also stimulates and supports businesses, farmers and workers
who make, produce, distribute and market these foods. Further, it sustains
biodiversity, protects natural resources and the environment, and affirms an
important part of national and regional culture.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The concept of unpacking is related
to consumption of those food products made by manufacturers that are ultra-<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">processed. The Guide states that the
more that ultra-<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">processed foods are eaten or drunk,
the greater the risk of consuming excessive sugar and unhealthy fats, and
insufficient protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">and other bioactive compounds. Ultra-processed
foods also contain many additives which, while used legally, have unknown or
uncertain effects on health. Their consumption <span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">discourages family farming,
decreases biodiversity, threatens natural resources, increases solid waste, and
replaces genuine food crops. <span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The food industry as a whole is of
course essential for all societies and civilizations. Indeed, the Guide <span></span></span><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">emphasizes that only some
industrially manufactured food is ultra-processed. Foods can be minimally
processed (such as rice and beans), can be processed culinary ingredients (such
as oils, olive oils and butter) and can be processed foods (such as freshly<span></span></span><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">-made breads and cheeses). <span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The Guide states that unprocessed or
minimally processed foods are the basis of healthy eating. Processed culinary
ingredients, in small quantities, turn those foods into <span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">delicious and nourishing dishes and
meals. Processed foods, also in small quantities, can make meals more delicious
while retaining their nutritive value. <span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The only foods that the Guide recommends
avoiding, are those that are ultra-processed. <span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">These are not exactly foods, but
formulations of various ingredients, many of them manufactured for exclusive
industrial use, very often containing little or no whole food. Examples are
cola and soft and sweetened drinks; candies and confectionery; packaged fatty,
salty or sugary snacks, cakes and biscuits; “instant” noodles and soups;
products made from reconstituted meat; and<span></span></span><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> pre-prepared chilled or frozen
pizzas, pastas and other dishes.<span></span></span>

</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The Guide includes a practical way
to recognize when foods are ultra-processed. This is by consulting the list of
ingredients that, by law, must appear on all packaged foods.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:29pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Attacks from ultra-processed food
manufacturers <span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The manufacturers of ultra-processed
food in Brazil are now trying to discredit the Guide. In mid-September this
year, a “Technical Note” prepared by two officials in the <span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture,
Livestock and Supply <span> </span>leaked to the
media. The Note called on the Ministry of Health urgently to review the Guide,
claiming that it was <span>  </span>“one of the worst
on the planet” and in part recommends<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">to cut out its recommendation to avoid
consumption of ultra-processed food products, without citing any relevant <span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">supporting evidence. <span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">It is known that in mid-year
Brazilian Food Industry Association (ABIA) staff met with the Agriculture
Minister to press for changes in the Guide. <span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">See <a href="https://worldnutritionjournal.org/index.php/wn/article/view/757/642" style="color:rgb(5,99,193);text-decoration:underline">https://worldnutritionjournal.org/index.php/wn/article/view/757/642</a>
<span> </span><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>





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