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Table 1 Classification of food items into groups and categories, and the corresponding list of nutrients to limit and nutrients to promote per category (n = 32)

From: A nutrient profiling system for the (re)formulation of a global food and beverage portfolio

Food groups Food categories Range of Kcal/serving Rationale for food category setting Nutrients to limit Nutrients to encourage
Larger meal components Milk-based breakfast beverages A: ≤300 kcal/serving
C: ≤255 kcal/serving 		Ingredient based E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na P,Ca
Cereal-based foods A: 200–400 kcal/serving
C: 170–340 kcal/serving 		Ingredient based E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na P,Ca,F
Complete meals (all dishes eaten as main part of meal including pizzas >185 g) A: ≤600 kcal/serving
C: ≤510 kcal/serving 		  E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na P + 1 from list*
Side dishes and center of plate food items A: ≤400 kcal/serving
C: ≤340 kcal/serving 		  E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na P + 1 from list*
Asian noodles as main dish A: ≤600 kcal/serving
C: ≤510 kcal/serving 		Processed based E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na –
Pizza as center of plate (<185 g) A: ≤400 kcal/serving
C: ≤340 kcal/serving 		Ingredient based E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na P +1 from list*
Smaller meal components/snacks Soups A: ≤200 kcal/serving
C: ≤170 kcal/serving 		Ingredient based E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na –
Cold cuts and spreads A: ≤200 kcal/serving
C: ≤170 kcal/serving 		Ingredient based E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na –
Breads and pizza doughs A: ≤200 kcal/serving
C: ≤170 kcal/serving 		Ingredient based
Process based 		E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na F
Savory snacks A: ≤200 kcal/serving
C: ≤170 kcal/serving 		Ingredient based E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na –
Salty and savory biscuits A: ≤200 kcal/serving
C: ≤170 kcal/serving 		Ingredient based
Process based 		E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na –
Cheeses A: ≤200 kcal/serving
C: ≤170 kcal/serving 		Ingredient based
Process based 		E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na P
Yogurts and fresh cheeses A: ≤200 kcal/serving
C: ≤170 kcal/serving 		Ingredient based
Process based 		E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na P,Ca
Dairy desserts A: ≤200 kcal/serving
C: ≤170 kcal/serving 		Ingredient based E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na Ca
Ice creams A: ≤200 kcal/serving
C: ≤170 kcal/serving 		Process based E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na –
Water ices & sorbets A: ≤100 kcal/serving
C: ≤85 kcal/serving 		Ingredient based
Process based 		E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na –
Enriched beverages A: ≤200 kcal/serving
C: ≤170 kcal/serving 		Ingredient based E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na P + 1 from list*
Culinary sauces A: ≤150 kcal/serving
C: ≤127.5 kcal/serving 		Ingredient based E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na –
Milk-based beverages for consumption as small part of a meal or in-between meals A: ≤200 kcal/serving
C: ≤170 kcal/serving 		Ingredient based E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na P,Ca
Cereal-based snacks, cereal-based products for consumption as small part of a meal or in-between meals A: ≤200 kcal/serving
C: ≤170 kcal/serving 		Ingredient based E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na F
Confectionary bars (non-chocolate based) A: ≤200 kcal/serving
C: ≤170 kcal/serving 		Ingredient based
Process based 		E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na –
Chocolate A: ≤200 kcal/serving
C: ≤170 kcal/serving 		Ingredient based E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na –
Juice-based beverages A: ≤200 kcal/serving
C: ≤170 kcal/serving 		Ingredient based E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na –
Cakes, cookies and desserts A: ≤200 kcal/serving
C: ≤170 kcal/serving 		Ingredient based
Process based 		E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na –
Accessories Beverages (all beverages with <2 % milk protein or <50 % juice or <25 % cereal on dry basis) A: ≤100 kcal/serving
C: ≤85 kcal/serving 		Ingredient based E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na –
Sugar confectionary A: ≤100 kcal/serving
C: ≤85 kcal/serving 		Ingredient based E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na –
Sweetened condensed milk A: ≤100 kcal/serving
C: ≤85 kcal/serving 		Ingredient based E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na –
Dressings A: ≤100 kcal/serving
C: ≤85 kcal/serving 		Ingredient based E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na –
Mayonnaise A: ≤100 kcal/serving
C: ≤85 kcal/serving 		Ingredient based E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na –
Cold sauces A: ≤100 kcal/serving
C: ≤85 kcal/serving 		Ingredient based E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na –
Bouillons A: ≤100 kcal/serving
C: ≤85 kcal/serving 		Process based E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na –
Culinary sauces as accessory (<100 mL) A: ≤100 kcal/serving
C: ≤85 kcal/serving 		Ingredient based E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na –
  1. A adult >11 years old; C children 4–11 years old; E energy; TF total fat; SFA saturated fatty acids; TFA trans-fatty acids; AS added sugars; Fr fructose; Na sodium; P protein; Ca calcium; F fiber
  2. * +1 from list: requirement achieved when the adequate level of one nutrient/ingredient in the following list is meat:vegetables/fruits (≥80 g/serving), whole grains (≥16 g/serving), vitamins/minerals (≥10 %DV/serving or 5 %DV/100 kcal), essential fatty acids ALA (n3): >0.6 % of energy, LA (n6): 5–10 % of energy
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