Our team created a unique “factory-to-fork” system to monitor the food supply for product reformulation and introduction or cessation of sales of millions of barcoded products. We study changes in nutrient content of available products and in what households choose to purchase.
Nutrition-related claims on fruit drinks
Fruit drinks (fruit-flavored beverages that contain added sweeteners) are the most popular sugar drink among infants and young children, despite expert recommendations that this age group should not consume any drinks with added sugar. This Fact sheet summarizes findings from three studies that examined nutrition claims made on fruit drink packages and how claims impact […]
Stages of the Nutrition Transition
Diagram outlining the five phases of the Nutrition Transition and their associated dietary and activity patterns. © Barry M. Popkin, 2021
Fact sheet describing food and beverage industry voluntary self-regulation in three main areas of public health concern: 1) Child-directed food marketing; 2) front-of-package labelling; and 3) reducing unhealthy nutrients in the food supply. While self-regulation continues to be the most common approach globally for addressing industry’s role in the ongoing obesity crisis, this fact sheet […]
African domestic supply booms in value chains of fruits, vegetables, and animal products fueled by spontaneous clusters of SMEs
Authors: Thomas Reardon, Lenis Saweda O. Liverpool-Tasie, Ben Belton, Michael Dolislager, Bart Minten, Barry Popkin, Rob Vos
Published in: Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, April 23, 2024 view full text
A policy approach to identifying food and beverage products that are ultra-processed and high in added salt, sugar and saturated fat
Authors: Barry Popkin, Donna Miles, Lindsey Smith Taillie, Elizabeth Dunford
Published in: The Lancet Regional Health - Americas, March 8, 2024 view full text
Dietary intake of low-income adults in South Africa: Ultra-processed food consumption a cause for concern.
Authors: Tamryn Frank, Shu Wen Ng, Caitlin Lowery, Anne-Marie Thow, Elizabeth Swart
Published in: Public Health Nutrition, January 11, 2024 view full text
The widespread presence of non-nutritive sweeteners challenges adherence to beverage guidance for children
Authors: Mariana Fagundes Grilo, Allison Sylvetsky, Lindsey Smith Taillie
Published in: Frontiers in Public Health, August 16, 2023 view full text
Food additives in ultra-processed packaged foods: An examination of US household grocery store purchases
Authors: Elizabeth K. Dunford, Donna R. Miles, Barry Popkin
Published in: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, January 31, 2023 view full text
Socioeconomic patterns in budget share allocations of regulated foods and beverages in Chile: a longitudinal analysis
Authors: Guillermo Paraje, Daniela Montes de Oca, Camila Corvalán, and Barry Popkin
Published in: Nutrients, January 29, 2023 view full text
Reformulation of top-selling processed and ultra-processed foods and beverages in the Peruvian food supply after front-of-package warning label policy
Authors: Lorena Saavedra-Garcia, Mayra Meza-Hernández, Francisco Diez-Canseco, Lindsey Smith Taillie
Published in: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, December 27, 2022 view full text
Did the sweetness of beverages change with the Chilean Food Labeling and Marketing Law? A before and after study
Authors: Natalia Rebolledo, Maxime Bercholz, Camila Corvalán, Shu Wen Ng, Lindsey Smith Taillie
Published in: Frontiers in Nutrition, October 28, 2022 view full text
How Americans eat red and processed meat: An analysis of the contribution of 13 different food groups
Authors: Sarah M. Frank, Lindsey Smith Taillie, Lindsay M. Jaacks
Published in: Public Health Nutrition, February 21, 2022 view full text
Changes in nonnutritive sweetener intake in a cohort of preschoolers after the implementation of Chile's Law of Food Labelling and Advertising
Authors: Natalia Rebolledo, Marcela Reyes, Barry M. Popkin, Linda Adair, Christy L. Avery, Camila Corvalán, Shu Wen Ng, Lindsey Smith Taillie
Published in: Pediatric Obesity, January 27, 2022 view full text
Prevalence of low-calorie sweeteners and related front-of-package claims in the Brazilian packaged food supply
Authors: Mariana Fagundes Grilo, Lindsey Smith Taillie, Camila Zancheta Ricardo, Laís Amaral Mais, Ana Paula Bortoletto Martins, Ana Clara Duran
Published in: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, December 22, 2021
Changes in the use of nonnutritive sweeteners in the Chilean food and beverage supply after the implementation of the Food Labeling and Advertising Law
Authors: Ricardo C. Zancheta, Camila Corvalán, Lindsey Smith Taillie, Vilma Quitral, Marcela Reyes
Published in: Frontiers in Nutrition | Nutrition and Food Science Technology, November 8, 2021 view full text
Whole grain and refined grains: An examination of US household grocery store purchases
Authors: Elizabeth K. Dunford, Donna R. Miles, Barry M. Popkin, Shu Wen Ng
Published in: The Journal of Nutrition, October 28, 2021 view full text
The need to reshape global food processing: a call to the United Nations Food Systems Summit
Authors: Carlos Augusto Monteiro, Mark Lawrence, Christopher Millett, Marion Nestle, Barry M Popkin, Gyorgy Scrinis, Boyd Swinburn
Published in: BMJ Global Health, July 1, 2021 view full text
Geographic patterns and socioeconomic differences in the nutritional quality of household packaged food purchases in the United States
Authors: Allison Lacko, Paul Delamater, Penny Gordon-Larsen, Shu Wen Ng
Published in: Health & Place, May 21, 2021 view full text
Towards unified and impactful policies to reduce ultra-processed food consumption and promote healthier eating
Authors: Barry M. Popkin, Simon Barquera, Camila Corvalan, Karen Hofman, Carlos Monteiro, Shu Wen Ng, Elizabeth C. Swart, Lindsey Smith Taillie
Published in: The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, April 15, 2021 view full text
The processed food revolution in African food systems and the double burden of malnutrition
Authors: Thomas Reardon, David Tschirley, Lenis Saweda O. Liverpool-Tasie, Titus Awokuse, Jessica Fanzo, Bart Minten, Rob Vos, Michael Dolislager, Christine Sauer, Rahul Dhar, Carolina Vargas, Anna Lartey, Ahmed Raza, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: Global Food Security, March 1, 2021 view full text
Patterns of red and processed meat consumption across North America: A nationally representative cross-sectional comparison of dietary recalls from Canada, Mexico, and the United States
Authors: Sarah M. Frank, Lindsay M. Jaacks, Carolina Batis, Lana Vanderlee, Lindsey Smith Taillie
Published in: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, January 5, 2021 view full text
Urban vs. rural socioeconomic differences in the nutritional quality of household packaged food purchases by store type
Authors: Allison Lacko, Shu Wen Ng, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: Int J Environ Res Public Health, October 20, 2020 view full text
Types and amounts of nonnutritive sweeteners purchased by US households: A comparison of 2002 and 2018 Nielsen Homescan purchases
Authors: Elizabeth K. Dunford, Donna R. Miles, Shu Wen Ng, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, October 1, 2020 view full text
Distributional changes in U.S. sugar-sweetened beverage purchases, 2002-2014
Authors: Pourya Valizadeh, Barry M Popkin, Shu Wen Ng
Published in: Am J Prev Med, August 1, 2020 view full text
Changes in the amount of nutrient of packaged foods and beverages after the initial implementation of the Chilean Law of Food Labelling and Advertising: A nonexperimental prospective study
Authors: Marcela Reyes, Lindsey Smith Taillie, Barry M Popkin, Rebecca Kanter, Stefanie Vandevijvere, Camila Corvalán
Published in: PLOS Medicine, July 28, 2020 view full text
Contribution of major food companies and their products to household dietary sodium purchases in Australia
Authors: Daisy H Coyle, Maria Shahid, Elizabeth K Dunford, Cliona Ni Mhurchu, Sarah Mckee, Myla Santos, Barry M Popkin, Kathy Trieu, Matti Marklund, Fraser Taylor, Bruce Neal, Jason H Y Wu
Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, June 23, 2020 view full text
Recent trends in junk food intake in U.S. children and adolescents, 2003-2016
Authors: Elizabeth K. Dunford, Barry M. Popkin, Shu Wen Ng
Published in: Am J Prev Med, April 23 2020 view full text
Applying nutrient profiling systems to packaged foods and drinks sold in Jamaica
Authors: Suzanne Soares-Wynter, Stacy A. Aiken-Hemming, Bridget Hollingsworth, Donna R. Miles, Shu Wen Ng
Published in: Foods, January 8 2020 view full text
Dynamics of the double burden of malnutrition and the changing nutrition reality
Authors: Barry M. Popkin, Camila Corvalan, Laurence M. Grummer-Strawn
Published in: The Lancet, January 4 2020 view full text
Improvements in the nutritional quality of US young adults based on food sources and socioeconomic status between 1989-1991 and 2011-2014
Authors: Matthew A. Patetta, Lilia S. Pedraza, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: Nutrition Journal, June 26 2019 view full text
How does the healthfulness of the US food supply compare to international guidelines for marketing to children and adolescents?
Authors: Elizabeth K. Dunford, Shu Wen Ng, Lindsey S. Taillie
Published in: Matern Child Health Journal, June 2019 view full text
Nutrition quality of packaged foods in Bogotá, Colombia: A comparison of two nutrient profile models
Authors: Mercedes Mora-Plazas, Luis F. Gómez, Donna R. Miles, Dianna C. Parra, Lindsey S. Taillie
Published in: Nutrients, May 4 2019 view full text
Grocery stores are not associated with more healthful food for participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Authors: Allison M. Lacko, Barry M. Popkin, Lindsey Smith Taillie
Published in: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, March 1 2019 view full text
Online grocery shopping: Promise and pitfalls for healthier food and beverage purchases
Authors: Stephanie B. Jilcott Pitts, Shu Wen Ng, Jonathan L. Blitstein, Alison Gustafson, Mihai Niculescu
Published in: Public Health Nutr, December 2018 view full text
Patterns and trends in the intake distribution of manufactured and homemade sugar-sweetened beverages in pre-tax Mexico, 1999-2012
Authors: Tania Aburto, Jennifer M. Poti, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: Public Health Nutr, December 2018 view full text
Obesity and the food system transformation in Latin America
Authors: Baryy M. Popkin, Reardon T
Published in: Obesity Reviews, August 2018 view full text
Non-nutritive sweeteners in the packaged food supply — An assessment across 4 countries
Authors: Elizabeth K. Dunford, Lindsey S. Taillie, Donna R. Miles, Hellen Eyles, Lizabeth Tolentino-Mayo, Shu Wen Ng
Published in: Nutrients, 2018 view full text
Deal or no deal? The prevalence and nutritional quality of price promotions among U.S. food and beverage purchases
Authors: Lindsey S. Taillie, Shu Wen Ng, Yang Xue, Matthew Harding
Published in: Appetite, October 1 2017 view full text
Disparities in snacking trends in US adults over a 35 year period from 1977 to 2012
Authors: Elizabeth K. Dunford, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: Nutrients, July 27 2017 view full text
Development of a food composition database to monitor changes in packaged foods and beverages
Authors: Jennifer M. Poti, Emily Yoon, Bridget Hollingsworth, Jessica Ostrowski, Julie Wandell, Donna R. Miles, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: J Food Compost Anal, July 12 2017 view full text
Sodium reduction in US households’ packaged food and beverage purchases, 2000 to 2014
Authors: Jennifer M. Poti, Elizabeth K. Dunford, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: JAMA Internal Medicine, June 5 2017 view full text
Breakfast dietary patterns among Mexican children are related to total-day diet quality
Authors: Myriam C. Afeiche, Lindsey S. Taillie, Sinead Hopkins, Alison L. Eldridge, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: Journal of Nutrition, March 2017 view full text
Beyond supermarkets: Food outlet location selection in four U.S. Cities overtime
Authors: Pasquale E. Rummo, David K. Guilkey, Shu Wen Ng, Barry M. Popkin, Kelly R. Evenson, Penny Gordon-Larsen
Published in: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, March 2017
Added sugars intake across the distribution of US children and adult consumers: 1977-2012
Authors: Elyse S. Powell, Lindsey Smith-Taillie, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, October 2016 view full text
Trends in racial/ethnic and income disparities in foods and beverages consumed and purchased from stores among US households with children, 2000-2013
Authors: Shu Wen Ng, Jennifer M. Poti, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, September 2016 view full text
Highly processed and ready-to-eat packaged food and beverage purchases differ by race/ethnicity among US households
Authors: Jennifer M. Poti, Michelle A. Mendez, Shu Wen Ng, Barry M. Popkin
Published: The Journal of Nutrition, September 2016 view full text
First-Year evaluation of Mexico’s tax on non-essential energy dense foods: An observational study
Authors: Carolina Batis, Juan A. Rivera, Barry M. Popkin, Lindsey S. Taillie
Published in: PLOS Medicine, July 2016 view full text
Trends in energy intake from alcoholic beverages among US adults by sociodemographic characteristics, 1989-2012
Authors: Lauren Butler, Jennifer M. Poti, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: Journal Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, July 2016 view full text
Snacking is longitudinally associated with declines in Body Mass Index Z Scores for overweight children, but increases for underweight children
Authors: Lindsey S. Taillie, Dantong Wang, Barry M. Popkin
Published: Journal of Nutrition, June 2016 view full text
Sweetening of the global diet, particularly beverages: patterns, trends, and policy responses
Authors: Barry M. Popkin, Corinna Hawkes
Published in: Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol, February 2016 view full text
Global growth of “big box” stores and the potential impact on human health and nutrition
Authors: Lindsey Smith Taillie, Shu Wen Ng, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: Nutrition Reviews, February 2016 view full text
Estimating added sugars in US consumer packaged goods: An application to beverages in 2007–08
Authors: Shu Wen Ng, Gregory Bricker, Kuo-ping Li, Emily F. Yoon, Jiyoung Kang, Brian Westrich
Published in: Journal of Food Compost Analysis, November 2015 view full text
Gains made by Walmart’s healthier food initiative mirror preexisting trends
Authors: Lindsey Smith Taillie, Shu Wen Ng, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: Health Affairs, November 2015 view full text
US household food shopping patterns: Dynamic shifts since 2000 and socioeconomic predictors.
Authors: Dalia Stern, Whitney R. Robinson, Shu Wen Ng, Penny Gordon-Larsen, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: Health Affairs (Millwood), November 1 2015 view full text
Is the degree of food processing and convenience linked with the nutritional quality of foods purchased by US households?
Authors: Jennifer M. Poti, Michelle A. Mendez, Shu Wen Ng, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, June 2015 view full text
Toward a just, nutritious, and sustainable food system: The false dichotomy of localism versus supercenterism
Authors: Lindsey S. Taillie, Lindsay M. Jaacks
Published in: Journal of Nutrition, June 3 2015
Monitoring changes in the nutritional content of ready-to-eat grain-based dessert products manufactured and purchased between 2005 and 2012
Authors: Kevin C. Mathias, Shu Wen Ng, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: Journal of Academy of Nutrition Dietetics, March 2015
view full text
A dynamic panel model of the associations of sweetened beverage purchases with dietary quality and food-purchasing patterns
Authors: Carmen Piernas, Shu Wen Ng, Michelle A. Mendez, Penny Gordon-Larsen, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: American Journal of Epidemiology, 2015 view full text
An approach to monitor food and nutrition from “factory to fork”
Authors: Meghan M. Slining, Emily F. Yoon, Jessica Davis, Bridget Hollingsworth, Donna Miles, Shu Wen Ng
Published in: Journal of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, January 2015 view full text
The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation pledge: Calories purchased by U.S. households with children, 2000–2012
Authors: Shu Wen Ng, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, October, 2014 view full text
The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation pledge: Calories sold from consumer packaged goods, 2007–2012
Authors: Shu Wen Ng, Meghan M. Slining, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, October 2014 view full text
Are food and beverage purchases in households with preschoolers changing?: A longitudinal analysis from 2000 to 2011
Authors: Christopher Ford, Shu Wen Ng, Barry M Popkin
Published in: American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2014 Sep;47(3):275-82. view full text
Shifts in the recent distribution of dietary intake among US children ages 2-18 reflect potential abatement of earlier declining trends
Authors: Michelle A. Mendez, Daniela Sotres-Alvarez, Donna R. Miles, Meghan M. Slining, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: Journal of Nutrition, August 2014 view full text
Caloric beverages were major sources of energy among children and adults in Mexico, 1999-2012
Authors: Dalia Stern, Carmen Piernas, Simon Barquera, Juan A. Rivera, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: Journal of Nutrition, June 2014 view full text
Low-calorie-and calorie-sweetened beverages: diet quality, food intake, and purchase patterns of US household consumers
Authors: Carmen Piernas, Michelle A. Mendez, Shu Wen Ng, Penny Gordon-Larsen, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, March 2014 view full text
Turning point for US diets? Recessionary effects or behavioral shifts in foods purchased and consumed
Authors: Shu Wen Ng, Meghan M. Slining, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, March 2014 view full text
The association of fast food consumption with poor dietary outcomes and obesity among children – is it the fast food or the remainder of diet?
Authors: Jennifer M. Poti, Kiyah J. Duey, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, January 2014 view full text
Eating and aging: Trends in dietary intake among older Americans from 1977-2010
Authors: R Johnston, Jennifer M. Poti, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: The Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging, 2014 view full text
Trends in food and beverage sources among US children and adolescents: 1989-2010
Authors: Meghan M. Slining, Kevin C. Mathias, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, December 2013 view full text
Where are kids getting their empty calories? Stores, schools, and fast-food restaurants each played an important role in empty calorie intake among US children during 2009-2010
Authors: Jennifer M. Poti, Meghan M. Slining, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, November 4, 2013 view full text
Trends in intakes and sources of solid fats and added sugars among U.S. children and adolescents: 1994–2010
Authors: Meghan M. Slining, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: Pediatric Obesity. April 2, 2013 view full text
Trends in purchases and intake of foods and beverages containing caloric and low-calorie sweeteners over the last decade in the United States
Authors: Carmen Piernas, Shu Wen Ng, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: Pediatric Obesity, March 25, 2013 view full text
Does diet-beverage intake affect dietary consumption patterns? Results from the Choose Healthy Options Consciously Everyday (CHOICE) randomized clinical trial
Authors: Carmen Piernas, Tate DF, Wang X, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, March 2013 view full text
Trends in US home food preparation and consumption: Analysis of national nutrition surveys and time use studies from 1965-1966 to 2007-2008
Authors: Lindsey P. Smith, Shu Wen Ng, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: Nutrition Journal, April 2013 view full text
Eating and aging: trends in dietary intake among older Americans, 1977-2010
Authors: Rachel Johnston, Jennifer M. Poti, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging, 2013 view full text
Solid fat and added sugar intake among US children: The role of stores, schools, and fast food, 1994-2010
Authors: Jennifer M. Poti, Meghan M. Slining, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2013 view full text
Trends in dietary intake among US 2- to 6-year-old children, 1989-2008
Authors: Christopher N. Ford, Meghan M. Slining, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, January 2013 view full text
Food companies’ calorie-reduction pledges to improve U.S. diet
Authors: Meghan M. Slining, Shu Wen Ng, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2013 view full text
Television viewing associated with adverse dietary outcomes in children ages 2-6
Authors: Christopher Ford, Dianne Ward, Mary White
Published in: Obesity Reviews, December 2012 view full text
Monitoring foods and nutrients sold and consumed in the United States: Dynamics and challenges
Authors: Shu Wen NG, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, January 2012 view full text
Increased portion sizes from energy-dense foods affect total energy intake at eating occasions in US children and adolescents: Patterns and trends by age group and sociodemographic characteristics, 1977-2006
Authors: Carmen Piernas, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, November 2011 view full text
Food acculturation drives dietary differences among Mexicans, Mexican Americans, and Non-Hispanic Whites
Authors: Carolina Batis, Lucia Hernandez-Barrera, Simon Barquera, Juan A. Rivera, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: The Journal of Nutrition, October 2011 view full text
Beverage patterns and trends among school-aged children in the US, 1989-2008
Authors: Gentry Lasater, Carmen Piernas, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: Nutrition Journal, October 2011 view full text
Trends in energy intake among US children by eating location and food source, 1977-2006
Authors: Jennifer M. Poti, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: The Journal of American Dietetics Association, August 2011 view full text
Food portion patterns and trends among U.S. children and the relationship to total eating occasion size, 1977-2006
Authors: Carmen Piernas, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: The Journal of Nutrition, June 2011 view full text
Trends in snacking among U.S. children
Authors: Carmen Piernas, Barry M. Popkin
Published in: Health Affairs, March 1, 2010 view full text