Determining food industry compliance to mandatory sodium limits: Successes and challenges from the South African experience

To provide an update on the compliance to the Na reduction regulation (R.214) and to highlight some challenges and successes experienced by South Africa in the implementation of a mandatory Na regulation. The study design was observational. Nutritional information of packaged food (specified in the R.214 regulation) was collected between February 2019 and September 2020, before and after the implementation date of the final Na targets in the regulation. Six supermarket chains that accounted for more than 50 % of the grocery retailer market share in South Africa were included. The Na content (per 100 g) of products was extracted from photographs. Products were classified according to the thirteen food categories included in R.214. The percentage of targeted food categories that met the pre and post-regulation targets as well as the percentage by which Na limits were exceeded was calculated

Determining food industry compliance to mandatory sodium limits: Successes and challenges from the South African experience

Abstract Objective: To provide an update on the compliance to the sodium reduction regulation (R.214) and to highlight some challenges and successes experienced by South Africa in the implementation of a mandatory sodium regulation. Design: The study design was observational. Nutritional information of packaged food (specified in the R.214 regulation) was collected between February 2019 and September 2020, before and after the implementation date of the final sodium targets in the regulation. Six supermarket chains that accounted for more than 50% of the grocery retailer market share in South Africa were included. The sodium content (per 100g) of products was extracted from photographs. Products were classified according to the 13 food categories included in R.214. The percentage of targeted food categories that met the pre and post regulation targets as well as the percentage by which sodium limits were exceeded were calculated. Setting: Low-and-middle-income suburbs in Cape Town, South Africa. Participants: N/A Results: A total number of 3278 product were analysed. After the final implementation date, none of the categories targeted by the R.214 regulation fully complied. However, nine out of the 13 food categories targeted by R.214 were above the 70% compliance mark. Conclusions: The compliance to R.214 in South Africa is good, although not 100% compliant. This research also highlights the complexities regarding the monitoring and evaluation of a national regulation. Findings from the current study could aid by providing valuable information to countries in the process of implementing a sodium reduction strategy

Key role-players’ perceptions of the current salt legislation in South Africa: opportunities and challenges

Objective: A study was undertaken to determine the perceptions of key role-players regarding challenges and opportunities to move the South African salt-reduction strategy forward. Design: The study had a qualitative, exploratory design using in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Setting: South Africa. Subjects: A total of 12 participants from various fields within the salt-reduction strategy environment, including academia, government and policy-related institutions, research sector and non-governmental organisations, took part. Outcome measures: Consumer knowledge, consumer education programmes, multi-sectoral collaboration, research efforts and strategy recommendations were noted. Results: Overall perceptions of the current salt-reduction strategy in South Africa were positive. Most of the participants agreed that the current strategy is the best approach to reduce the salt intake of the South African population. Participants strongly believed, however, that the strategy is not currently reinforced and that the initial momentum is lost. Concerns were raised regarding the absence of consumer-awareness campaigns, the population’s lack of knowledge regarding salt intake and its relation to health, and the challenges around the monitoring of salt/sodium in processed foods. Participants also highlighted the lack of current studies in this field as well as existing data to be used for baseline studies. Conclusions: South Africa’s current salt-reduction strategy is the correct approach to decrease the population’s salt intake. The initial phase of implementing the strategy has been successful, but the current perception is that government is not following through with this strategy. Several key areas that are needed for this strategy to succeed are being neglected

Autonomic correlates at rest and during evoked attention in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and effects of methylphenidate

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess autonomic nervous system functioning in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and to examine the effects of methylphenidate and focussed attention. METHOD: Children with ADHD (n = 19) were tested while they were stimulant free and during a period in which they were on stimulants. On both occasions, autonomic nervous system functioning was tested at baseline and during focussed attention. Autonomic nervous system functioning of control subjects was also tested at baseline and during focussed attention. Autonomic nervous system activity was determined by means of heart rate variability (HRV) and skin conductivity analyses. Attention was evoked by means of the BioGraph Infiniti biofeedback apparatus. HRV was determined by time domain, frequency domain and Poincaré analysis of RR interval data. Skin conductivity was determined by the BioGraph Infiniti biofeedback apparatus. RESULTS: The main findings of this study were (a) that stimulant-free children with ADHD showed a sympathetic underarousal and parasympathetic overarousal of the sympathovagal balance relative to control subjects; (b) methylphenidate shifted the autonomic balance of children with ADHD towards normal levels; however, a normal autonomic balance was not reached, and (c) stimulant-free children with ADHD exhibited a shift in the sympathovagal balance towards the sympathetic nervous system from baseline to focussed attention; however, methylphenidate appeared to abolish this shift. CONCLUSIONS: Stimulant-free children with ADHD have a parasympathetic dominance of the autonomic balance, relative to control subjects. Methylphenidate attempts to restore the normal autonomic balance in children with ADHD, but inhibits the normal autonomic nervous system response to a cognitive challenge. CLINICAL APPLICATIONS: These results indicate that methylphenidate may have a suppressive effect on the normal stress response. Although this may be of benefit to those who interact with children who suffer from ADHD, the implications for the physiological and psychological well-being of the children themselves are debatable. Further research is needed. LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY: Only 19 children with ADHD and 18 control subjects were tested. Further studies should include prior testing in order to exclude children with possible co-existing learning disabilities. Cognitive function and emotional responses of children with ADHD were not tested

Community Engagement newsletter, Faculty of Veterinary, Spring, September 2017

Adventuring with elephants / Theunis Griessel and Mzwanele Bekayeke -- OP Skills Laboratory donate conference bags / Elrien Scheepers -- Using the youth to change a community / Keagan Loader, Bianca Olivier, Masivuye Bulube, Philippus van Aswegen and Songezo Pepu -- Onderstepoort Primary Schools' curious minds / Vernon Christians, Andrè Els, Jordan Joselowitz, Karabo Semenya and Ramoni Joubert -- Controlling foot and mouth disease outbreak / Jayde Flax, Mareli Brand, Erin Seery and Liané van der Westhuizen -- Leaving a lasting foorprint in Mamelodi / Muhammed Moola, Annelie Coetzer, Johannes Nel, Prioshan Reddy and Sinead LaingNews articles with colour photos about the various community engagement projects of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria.ab201