Consumer detection and acceptability of reduced-sodium bread

Insights into the salt levels in bread offers in Slovenia: trends and differences

Objective

Bakery products are considered as one of main dietary sources of sodium/salt in Slovenia. Our main objective was to assess the salt content in bread in Slovenia, focusing into different bread categories and sales channels. The data collected in 2022 was compared with year 2012.

Methods

A follow-up study on salt content of bread sold in Slovenia was conducted. Bread samples were purchased in large retail shops and smaller bakeries across 11 statistical regions of Slovenia. Sodium content was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry; salt content was calculated by multiplying sodium content with 2.54, assuming all sodium corresponds to sodium chloride.

Results

In 2022, 178 bread samples were purchased and analyzed. Weighted mean salt content in bread was 1.35 (95% CI 1.28-1.42) g/100 g in 2012, and 1.26 (95% CI 1.22-1.29) g/100 g in 2022, showing a 7% decrease. Notable differences in the salt content were observed between various bread subcategories and retail environments. In addition, a significant difference was observed between white wheat bread sold in large retail shops and smaller bakeries, where a higher salt content was observed.

Conclusion

While study results show small decrease in the salt content in bread in Slovenia in last decade, the salt reduction targets set by the WHO have not been met. Additional efforts are needed to stimulate bread reformulation with reducing salt content.

How much can sodium chloride be substituted for potassium chloride without affecting the sensory acceptance of cracker-type biscuits?

Excessive sodium consumption is a worldwide public health concern. The substitution of sodium chloride (NaCl) for potassium chloride (KCl) has been adopted to reduce the sodium concentration in processed foods. The challenge is to make this substitution without affecting the sensory acceptance of foods. In this context, the objective was to determine from which concentrations the replacement of NaCl by KCl results in reduced acceptance (compromised acceptance threshold - CAT) and begins the sensory rejection (hedonic rejection threshold - HRT) of cracker-type biscuits. Using the hedonic thresholds methodology (HTM) by varying a stimulus, CAT and HRT were determined for the concentration of NaCl in crackers and, by varying two stimuli, CAT and HRT, for replacing NaCl with KCl in crackers were determined. Without the addition of KCl, the reduction in acceptance started to occur by reducing the NaCl content by around 60% (from 1.81% to 0.73%); and sensory rejection began to appear by reducing the NaCl content by approximately 93% (1.81% to 0.13%). Reduction in the acceptance started to occur by lowering the NaCl content by around 78% (from 1.81% to 0.397%), with the addition of 0.896% KCl. In addition, by adding KCl, it was possible to reduce 100% NaCl without sensory rejection of the crackers. With these results, cracker industries can reduce the sodium content of their products, contributing to the reduction of population salt intake.

Effect of Salt Content Reduction on Food Processing Technology

Higher salt intake is associated with the risk of cardiovascular and kidney diseases, hypertension and gastric cancer. Salt intake reduction represents an effective way to improve people’s health, either by the right choice of food or by a reduction of added salt. Salt substitutes are often used and also herb homogenates are treated by high pressure technology. Salt reduction significantly influences the shelf life, texture, pH, taste, and aroma of cheese. The composition of emulsifying salts or starter cultures must be modified to enact changes in microbial diversity, protease activity and the ripening process. The texture becomes softer and aroma atypical. In bakery products, a salt reduction of only 20–30% is acceptable. Water absorption, dough development, length and intensity of kneading and stability of dough are changed. Gluten development and its viscoelastic properties are affected. The salt reduction promotes yeast growth and CO₂ production. Specific volume and crust colour intensity decreased, and the crumb porosity changed. In meat products, salt provides flavour, texture, and shelf life, and water activity increases. In this case, myofibrillar proteins’ solubility, water binding activity and colour intensity changes were found. The composition of curing nitrite salt mixtures and starter cultures must be modified.

Hedonic thresholds and ideal sodium content reduction of bread loaves

Global public policies have advocated strategies for reducing sodium consumption due to the high incidence of non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) worldwide. The objectives of this study were to identify the bread loaves sodium content considered as ideal by the consumers and determine hedonic thresholds. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 114 consumers evaluated the ideal sodium content in bread loaves by the Just About Right (JAR) test, (first sensorial stage) studying four decreased levels of sodium (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%) from the mean values observed from bread in 11 food composition tables from various regions of the world, and Brazil. This ideal sodium content was used as the control in pairwise acceptance tests with five other reduced-sodium samples of bread loaves (10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 100% of reduction from the control), and hedonic threshold tests were performed with 156 consumers (a second stage sensorial test of five sessions). The data from the JAR were analyzed by a regression analysis graph and correlated with the consumption of salt and family income range by a Principal Component Analysis with a 5% significance level. In the Hedonic Threshold tests, each paired session was analyzed by Student's t-test (test t), and an adjusted regression graph was built. The Compromised Acceptance Threshold (CAT) was performed, where the calculated t corresponded to the tabulated t. In the Hedonic Rejection Threshold (HRT), the hedonic scale five ("indifferent" term) was considered. The average sodium content of bread marketed in different regions of the world was 457 mg Na/100 g of bread, and the ideal sodium content observed was 395 mg Na/100 g of bread. The gender, age and income family rates as well as attitudes and knowledge regarding the salt consumption of the trial consumers were not directly related to the evaluations of the bread loaves in the JAR test, according to the Principal Components Analysis at p ≤ 0.05. From this ideal content, a 42% reduction was possible according to the CAT test (267 mg Na/100 g of bread), and more reductions were acceptable until an 85% (to 58 mg Na/100 g of bread) reduction, as the samples began to be rejected according to HRT test. These findings demonstrated that this methodology can be applied to sodium reduction product formulations and bread as a food matrix. With this kind of methodology, it is possible to provide to the bakery industry a methodology to know a safe region to work on food reformulations and subsidize the formulation of new products without compromising consumer acceptability, in addition to meeting the demand for safer food.

Implementing the national strategy of salt reduction in Morocco: the baker´s perspective

Introduction

Morocco launched a national salt reduction strategy in 2019. The commitment of bakeries is key in the success of this strategy. However, the evaluation of such a commitment is not yet done. This study aims to examine knowledge of bakers about the national strategy of salt reduction and evaluate their commitment in implementing the specific recommendation related to salt reduction in bread.

Methods

a quantitative exploratory study targeted bakeries (N=432) from all the administrative regions of Morocco. Data was collected using a questionnaire composed of three sections: knowledge of bakers related to national strategy of salt, current contribution of bakers in implementing the national strategy and future commitment towards implementing the national strategy.

Results

about 73% (n=317) bakers lack of knowledge about the recommendations on the progressive reduction of the salt content in bread. Radio and TV were the most used sources to obtain information by bakers (45.2% (n=52) and 35.6% (n=41) respectively). None of the bakers was informed about the process of gradual reduction of salt content in bread, and none of them was committed to it. A total of 60.32% (n=252) of bakeries do not respect the national recommendations of 10g of salt/Kg of flour while 89.6% (n=387) of bakers express their interest in getting committed to the process in the next 2 years.

Conclusion

increasing the knowledge of bakers is highly recommended to guarantee their commitment toward contributing to the strategy of reducing salt in bread. Dissemination of messages via TV and radio could be appropriate.

Is a Consumer Perception of Salt Modification a Sensory or a Behavioural Phenomenon? Insights from a Bread Study

Salt plays a major role in food manufacturing and affects the technological and sensory properties of foods. At the same time, high dietary salt intake increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and represents a considerable public health concern. In many populations, bread is a major contributor to salt intake and is therefore targeted by health policies recommending salt reduction reformulations. However, producers are often reluctant to reduce salt content due to fears of potential negative effects on consumer acceptability and drops in sales. The present work aims to assess the effect of salt content on consumers’ hedonic liking and perception of saltiness intensity, as well as the interaction of these two. The study was conducted using two market-leading bread types (white and multigrain) and bread samples with the national average (reference), reduced (−15%) and increased (+10%) salt levels. A sensory evaluation study (n = 200) was done including a questionnaire on attitudes and behaviour regarding bread and salt, enabling the exploration of individual differences in reactions to modified levels of salt content. The latter only affected hedonic liking for the multigrain sample with 15% salt reduction but not for others, which discloses the importance of the bread matrix; and it did not affect the perception of saltiness intensity. Penalty analysis revealed that perceived non-optimal saltiness results in significantly penalised hedonic liking scores. Segmentation based on perceived saltiness disclosed the explanatory importance of underlying consumer behaviour dimensions which should be considered in designing bread reformulations.

Sodium and salt content of Portuguese rolls produced in a city of southern Brazil: a comparison of laboratory analysis, food labelling and nutrition standards

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the Na content of bread by comparing the amount of salt and Na among the label, laboratory analysis and international guidelines.

DESIGN

Ten selected bakeries provided 3239 randomly selected samples of bread, which were weighed on-site. Triplicate samples were retrieved from each bakery (thirty samples) for analysis. Bread production was observed, and ingredient labels were queried to determine salt weights, which were used for comparison with the laboratory analysis. Flame photometry and the method for chlorides were utilised for analysing Na. Laboratory findings were compared to nine different international nutritional guidelines for Na consumption.

SETTING

Florianopolis, south of Brazil.

PARTICIPANTS

Ninety independent bakeries locally producing Portuguese rolls were queried; rolls from ten conveniently selected bakeries were retrieved for further analysis.

RESULTS

The average weight of the rolls was 50·2 ± 5·3 g. The average amount of salt (g) per roll, by laboratory and label analyses, was 0·69 ± 0·0 and 0·62 ± 0·1 g, respectively. The mean level of Na (mg) reported on nutrient labels (478·2 ± 93·4/100 g) was significantly lower than by laboratory analysis (618·2 ± 73·8/100 g), P < 0·001. There was a difference for Na in rolls produced in the bakeries considering the unit weight of rolls (P ≤ 0·001) per 100 g (P = 0·026) and the mode of production. The consumption of two averaged units of rolls was equivalent to 51·7 % of the Brazilian guideline daily amount for Na for children and 31 % for adults.

CONCLUSIONS

The nutrient labels underreported Na values. This study strengthens the importance of monitoring Na of breads in Brazil.

Can sodium warnings modify preferences? A case study with white bread

Several studies have shown that the inclusion of front of pack nutritional warnings is a potentially effective strategy to encourage consumers to avoid products with high content of nutrients associated with non-communicable diseases. In this context, the present work aimed at exploring consumers' reaction towards sodium reduction in the context of the implementation of warnings in three scenarios: package evaluation, tasting and intention to re-purchase the product after tasting, using white bread as case study. A total of 171 consumers participated in the study that encompassed four parts. Firstly, consumers received two bread samples with different salt content (2.00% and 1.38% salt) under blind conditions and were asked to rate their overall liking and to indicate the one they preferred. Then, they were asked to look at four bread packages differing in graphic design and the presence of warnings. They had to rate their expected liking and to indicate the one they would purchase. Finally, consumers were asked to try the bread they had previously chosen, to assess their overall liking and to indicate their willingness to purchase it again. Salt content significantly affected consumer hedonic reaction towards the breads. Two consumer segments with different preference for the salt content in bread were identified: 58% of consumers preferred the bread with 2.00% salt while 42% preferred breads with 1.38% salt. However, when looking at the packages the majority of consumers in both groups selected bread packages that did not feature warnings. In addition, after having tried the bread, most consumers were willing to buy the bread they had previously chosen again, which is promising in terms of reaching sustainable changes towards lower salt levels. Results from the present work suggest that, in the case of bread, nutritional warnings have potential to shift consumers' preferences to lower sodium content, even after trying the products.

Impact of sodium reduction strategies on volatile compounds, sensory properties and consumer perception in commercial wheat bread

The efficacy of two sodium reduction strategies in preserving sensory profile and consumer liking of yeasted wheat bread was tested, by combining sensory data, aroma compounds and consumer investigations. The use of (i) a reduced-sodium salt substitute, Pansalt® (NaCl 57%, other salts and minor ingredients) at 1.5%, and (ii) the heterogeneous NaCl distribution (average level of 1%) leading to enhanced saltiness by taste contrast, were compared with standard (1.5%) and reduced (1.0%) addition of NaCl. The heterogeneous NaCl distribution was effective in preserving saltiness. Salt substitution with Pansalt® was less effective but preserved the overall flavour. Higher amount of Maillard reaction volatile products, associated with more intense toasted odour of the crust, was found in breads with higher NaCl content. The consumer survey highlighted satisfactory results of Pansalt® use for 58% of the respondents (equal or higher liking and purchase intention). Heterogeneous salt distribution was effective for 31% of consumers.

Adoptable Interventions, Human Health, and Food Safety Considerations for Reducing Sodium Content of Processed Food Products

Although vital for maintaining health when consumed in moderation, various epidemiological studies in recent years have shown a strong association between excess dietary sodium with an array of health complications. These associations are robust and clinically significant for development of hypertension and prehypertension, two of the leading causes of preventable mortality worldwide, in adults with a high-sodium diet. Data from developed nations and transition economies show worldwide sodium intake of higher than recommended amounts in various nations. While natural foods typically contain a moderate amount of sodium, manufactured food products are the main contributor to dietary sodium intake, up to 75% of sodium in diet of American adults, as an example. Lower cost in formulation, positive effects on organoleptic properties of food products, effects on food quality during shelf-life, and microbiological food safety, make sodium chloride a notable candidate and an indispensable part of formulation of various products. Although low-sodium formulation of each product possesses a unique set of challenges, review of literature shows an abundance of successful experiences for products of many categories. The current study discusses adoptable interventions for product development and reformulation of products to achieve a modest amount of final sodium content while maintaining taste, quality, shelf-stability, and microbiological food safety.

The Sodium and Potassium Content of the Most Commonly Available Street Foods in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan in the Context of the FEEDCities Project

This cross-sectional study is aimed at assessing sodium (Na) and potassium (K) content and the molar Na:K ratios of the most commonly available ready-to-eat street foods in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Four different samples of each of these foods were collected and 62 food categories were evaluated through bromatological analysis. Flame photometry was used to quantify sodium and potassium concentrations. The results show that home-made foods can be important sources of sodium. In particular, main dishes and sandwiches, respectively, contain more than 1400 and nearly 1000 mg Na in an average serving and provide approximately 70% and 50% of the maximum daily recommended values. Wide ranges of sodium content were found between individual samples of the same home-made food collected from different vending sites from both countries. In industrial foods, sodium contents ranged from 1 to 1511 mg/serving in Tajikistan, and from 19 to 658 mg/serving in Kyrgyzstan. Most Na:K ratios exceeded the recommended level of 1.0 and the highest ratios were found in home-made snacks (21.2) from Tajikistan and industrial beverages (16.4) from Kyrgyzstan. These findings not only improve data on the nutritional composition of foods in these countries, but may also serve as baseline information for future policies and interventions.

Effect of Salt Reduction on Consumer Acceptance and Sensory Quality of Food

Reducing salt (NaCl) intake is an important public health target. The food industry and catering services are searching for means to reduce the salt content in their products. This review focuses on options for salt reduction in foods and the sensory evaluation of salt-reduced foods. Simple salt reduction, mineral salts and flavor enhancers/modifiers (e.g., umami compounds) are common options for salt reduction. In addition, the modification of food texture and odor-taste interactions may contribute to enhanced salty taste perception. Maintaining consumer acceptance of the products is a challenge, and recent examples of the consumer perception of salt-reduced foods are presented.

Does Sodium Knowledge Affect Dietary Choices and Health Behaviors? Results From a Survey of Los Angeles County Residents

Introduction

In 2010, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health launched a local sodium-reduction initiative to address the rising prevalence of high blood pressure (hypertension) and related cardiovascular conditions in the population. To inform this effort, we evaluated self-reported knowledge and health behaviors related to sodium intake among Los Angeles County residents.

Methods

We administered 3 cross-sectional Internet panel surveys on knowledge about dietary sodium to a sample of Los Angeles County adults, at intervals from December 2014 through August 2016. Multinomial and logistic regression models were constructed to describe associations between sodium knowledge and self-reported health behaviors.

Results

A total of 7,067 panel subjects clicked into the online survey, and 2,862 completed the survey (adjusted response rate = 40.5%). Only 102 respondents (3.6%) were able to accurately report the recommended milligrams of sodium that an average adult should consume daily (1,500 mg to 2300 mg). Knowing about daily sodium intake recommendations was associated with increased odds of using Nutrition Facts labels to make food purchase decisions (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 3.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.59–7.60) and with decreased odds of taking measures to prevent hypertension (AOR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.19–0.74).

Conclusions

Los Angeles County residents had a limited knowledge of recommended daily sodium intake. Efforts to increase understanding of these recommendations may encourage wider engagement in healthy behaviors. Health agencies should integrate sodium reduction messages in their diet and nutrition educational efforts.

Preference of Food Saltiness and Willingness to Consume Low-Sodium Content Food in a Chinese Population

OBJECTIVE

To compare the preference of food saltiness and the willingness to consume low-sodium food among hypertensive older people, non-hypertensive older people and non-hypertensive young people in a Chinese population.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study based on a quota sample. Three saltiness options (low-sodium, medium-sodium and high-sodium) of soup and bread were offered to each participant who rated the taste of each food on a 5-point Likert scale. Then, the participants rated their willingness to consume the low-sodium content foods on a 5-point Likert scale, given they were informed of the benefit of the low-sodium option. Generalised linear mixed model and multiple linear regression were used to analyse the data.

SETTING

Elderly centres and community centres in Hong Kong.

PARTICIPANTS

Sixty hypertensive older people, 49 non-hypertensive older people and 60 non-hypertensive young people were recruited from June to August 2014.

MEASUREMENTS

The tastiness score and the willingness score were the primary outcome measures. The Chinese Health Literacy Scale for Low Salt Consumption - Hong Kong population (CHLSalt-HK) was also assessed.

RESULTS

The tastiness rating of the high-sodium option of soup was significantly lower than the medium-sodium option (p<0.001), but there was no significant difference between the low-sodium and the medium-sodium options (p=0.204). For bread, tastiness rating of the low-sodium option and the high-sodium option were significantly lower than the medium-sodium option (p<0.001 for both options). The tastiness score of soup did not have significant difference across the groups (p=0.181), but that of bread from the hypertensive older adults (p=0.012) and the non-hypertensive older adults (p=0.006) was significantly higher than the non-hypertensive young adults. Higher willingness rating to consume the low-sodium option was significantly (p<0.001) associated with higher tastiness rating of the low-sodium option of soup and bread, and weakly associated with higher health literacy of low salt intake (soup: p=0.041; bread: p=0.024). Hypertensive older adults tended to be more willing to consume the low-sodium option than non-hypertensive older adults for soup (p=0.009), there was insignificant difference between non-hypertensive older adults and non-hypertensive young adults (p=0.156). For bread, there was insignificant difference in willingness rating to consume low-sodium option (p=0.375).

CONCLUSION

Older people are at a higher risk of hypertension, reduction of salt intake is important for them to reduce their risk of cardiovascular diseases. There is room for reducing the sodium content of soup, while the sodium in bread should be reduced progressively. Improving the taste of low-sodium food may help to promote reduction in dietary sodium intake.

Sodium and potassium urinary excretion and dietary intake: a cross-sectional analysis in adolescents

Background

Hypertension is the leading cause for heart disease and stroke, for mortality and morbidity worldwide, and a high sodium-to-potassium intake ratio is considered a stronger risk factor for hypertension than sodium alone.

Objective

This study aims to evaluate sodium and potassium urinary excretion, and assess the food sources of these nutrients in a sample of Portuguese adolescents.

Design

A cross-sectional study with a sample of 250 Portuguese adolescents. Sodium and potassium excretion were measured by one 24-h urinary collection, and the coefficient of creatinine was used to validate completeness of urine collections. Dietary sources of sodium and potassium were assessed using a 24-h dietary recall.

Results

Valid urine collections were provided by 200 adolescents (118 girls) with a median age of 14.0 in both sexes (p=0.295). Regarding sodium, the mean urinary excretion was 3,725 mg/day in boys and 3,062 mg/day in girls (p<0.01), and 9.8% of boys and 22% of girls met the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for sodium intake. Concerning potassium, the mean urinary excretion was 2,237 mg/day in boys and 1,904 mg/day in girls (p<0.01), and 6.1% of boys and 1.7% of girls met the WHO recommendations for potassium intake. Major dietary sources for sodium intake were cereal and cereal products (41%), meat products (16%), and milk and milk products (11%); and for potassium intake, main sources were milk and milk products (21%), meat products (17%), and vegetables (15%).

Conclusions

Adolescents had a high-sodium and low-potassium diet, well above the WHO recommendations. Health promotion interventions are needed in order to decrease sodium and increase potassium intake.