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An update on processed foods: Relationship between salt, saturated and trans fatty acids contents
Tânia Gonçalves Albuquerque1, Joana Santos2, Mafalda Alexandra Silva3
1Department of Food and Nutrition, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, I.P., Lisbon, Portugal; LAQV/REQUIMTE, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Abstract:
To update the current situation on salt, fat and fatty acid composition of processed foods, a study including a wide range of different food categories was conducted in Portugal. Different validated analytical techniques were used, and a PCA and correlation analysis were conducted to establish a trend between the different components in each food category. The highest salt content was found in snacks, fast-food, sauces and ready-to-eat meals, while the saturated fatty acids were higher (p < .05) in bakery products, cookies, biscuits and wafers, and snacks. The highest levels of trans fatty acids were found in the fast-food group, followed by the snacks, potato and potato-products and bakery products. A significant positive correlation (p < .05) was found between salt and fat content in ready-to-eat meals and in the potato and potato-products. The PCA analysis identified total fat, low trans fatty acids and high salt content as distinctive characteristics of some food categories.
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