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From Static List to Dynamic System: A Multi-Dimensional Framework for Identifying Unhealthy Food Products – A Policy Brief for Determining Unhealthy Food Products in Iran
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A Milani-Bonab   , A.M Mortazavian , J Mirzay Razaz , M Roozbahani , A Haghighian-Roudsari , S Pourmoradian , F Mohammadi-Nasrabadi , F Esfarjani , A Zargaraan * |
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Abstract: (13 Views) |
Introduction: Nearly seven years after the implementation of the domestic model based on the nutrient profile for determining the list of Unhealtyy food products in Iran, along with some achievements such as product formulation reformulation for a group of products, serious criticisms have been raised by the food industry, scientific institutions, and regulatory authorities. The significant difference in the degree of unhealthiness of products within the same category, the apparent contradiction of applying the term "unhealthy" with the mission of production licensing authorities, and the availability of new national data on per capita food consumption necessitate a revision of the criteria for determining unhealthiness of food products and the development of a systematic, evidence-based tool.
Materials and Methods: This study aimed to develop a policy brief for a roadmap to determine the criteria for unhealthy food products. A scoping review method was employed. A systematic search was conducted in international databases along with a review of grey literature (WHO reports, upstream documents, national laws and regulations) from 2000 to 2025. National data from consumption and production surveys were also used as supplementary evidence. The analysis of findings was performed using a mixed-method approach (systematic review, document content analysis, and analytical model design).
Results: The evidence review led to the extraction of nine main phases for the roadmap to develop a tool for determining unhealthy food products, which are: (1) systematic review of global experiences and implementation barriers; (2) analysis of upstream documents and legal framework; (3) definition and comparison of alternative models for unhealthiness classification; (4) monitoring the current situation in the country; (5) assessment of consumer knowledge, attitude, and practice; (6) design of multi-dimensional criteria using the "food component factor loading" approach (including risk assessment, exposure level, and exposure distribution among vulnerable groups); (7) establishment of a standard health dossier for each candidate product; (8) evaluation of the nutritional profile using the final Context-Specific model; and (9) final decision-making using the working group Delphi method and establishment of a dynamic updating system. The proposed factor loading model enables scientific prioritization of interventions based on a combination of epidemiological data, national consumption, and socio-economic considerations.
Conclusion: The presented 9-phase roadmap provides a scientific, transparent, and participatory platform for revising the criteria for determining the unhealthiness of food products. Implementation of this roadmap allows policymakers to achieve a dynamic system with a spectrum of intervention priorities (formulation and reformulation, tiered taxation, advertising limitations, gradual phase-out) instead of a static binary list. Re-defining the legal name from "unhealthy food products" to "products prioritized for consumption pattern modification" and establishing a periodic updating system (every two years) are presented as the most important policy recommendations. |
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| Keywords: Policy roadmap, determining criteria, unhealthy food products, food component factor loading |
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Full-Text [PDF 915 kb]
(10 Downloads)
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Article type: Brief Policy |
Subject:
nutrition
Received: 2026/06/1 | Accepted: 2026/01/30 | Published: 2026/06/1
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