An overview of food insecurity during the global COVID-19 outbreak: transformative change and priorities for the Middle East

Abstract The consequences of COVID-19 on the economy and agriculture have raised many concerns about global food security, especially in Middle Eastern countries, where unsustainable farming practices are widespread. Regarding the unprecedented crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of early implementation of prevention programs, it is essential to understand better its potential impacts on various food security dimensions and indicators in these countries. In this scoping review, research databases were searched using a search strategy and keywords developed in collaboration with librarians. The review includes community trials and observational studies in all population groups. Two researchers separately conducted the literature search, study selection, and data extraction. A narrative synthesis was implemented to summarize the findings. The impacts of COVID-19 on three of four dimensions of food security through the food and nutrition system were identified: availability, accessibility, and stability. Disruption of financial exchanges, transportation, and closing of stores led to reduced production, processing, and distribution sub-systems. Rising unemployment, quitting some quarantined jobs, increasing medical healthcare costs, and increasing food basket prices in the consumption sub-system lead to lower access to required energy and nutrients, especially in the lower-income groups. Increased micronutrient deficiency and decreased immunity levels, increased overweight, obesity and non-communicable diseases would also occur. The current review results predict the effect of COVID-19 on food security, especially in vulnerable populations, and develop effective interventions. This review provides information for policymakers to better understand the factors influencing the implementation of these interventions and inform decision-making to improve food security. PROSPERO identifier: CRD42020185843

Effect of rheological properties on sensory acceptance of two-model dysphagia-oriented food products

This paper aimed to investigate the effect of rheological properties on the sensory acceptance of two (Ferni and cocoa drink) model dysphagia-oriented food products. The results showed that the cocoa drink with the highest viscosity had the maximum score in overall liking and ease of swallowing. Among the Ferni samples, the one with minimum viscosity had the highest score in overall liking and ease of swallowing. A negative correlation ratio was found between n (flow behavior index in power law model), n′ (viscoelastic nature of sample) and hysteresis area and ease of swallowing in the cocoa drink. The three mentioned parameters showed a positive correlation ratio with the ease of swallowing scores for the Ferni samples. These results recommended that, in nectar-like products, higher viscosities might lead to ease of swallowing, but in the spoon-thick category, higher viscosities did not necessarily result in the increased ease of swallowing. Practical Applications: Most studies in the field of rheology-dysphagia have been only focused on the rheological experiments of dysphagia-oriented food products (DOFPs) and do not deal with the sensory acceptance of these products. Moreover, developing clinically relevant criteria for classifying DOFPs is helpful for both food rheologists and healthcare teams. The present study provided additional evidence for the inadequacy of current classification strategies for DOFPs

Rheological Characterization and Cluster Classification of Iranian Commercial Foods, Drinks and Desserts to Recommend for Esophageal Dysphagia Diets.

In the absence of dysphagia-oriented food products, rheological characterization of available food items is of importance for safe swallowing and adequate nutrient intake of dysphagic patients. In this way, introducing alternative items (with similar ease of swallow) is helpful to improve quality of life and nutritional intake of esophageal cancer dysphagia patients. The present study aimed at rheological characterization and cluster classification of potentially suitable foodstuffs marketed in Iran for their possible use in dysphagia diets.In this descriptive study, rheological data were obtained during January and February 2012 in Rheology Lab of National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute Tehran, Iran. Steady state and oscillatory shear parameters of 39 commercial samples were obtained using a Physica MCR 301 rheometer (Anton-Paar, GmbH, Graz, Austria). Matlab Fuzzy Logic Toolbox (R2012 a) was utilized for cluster classification of the samples.Using an extended list of rheological parameters and fuzzy logic methods, 39 commercial samples (drinks, main courses and desserts) were divided to 5 clusters and degree of membership to each cluster was stated by a number between 0 and 0.99.Considering apparent viscosity of foodstuffs as a single criterion for classification of dysphagia-oriented food products is shortcoming of current guidelines in dysphagia diets. Authors proposed to some revisions in classification of dysphagia-oriented food products and including more rheological parameters (especially, viscoelastic parameters) in the classification