Compliance of protein content in food products labeled as high protein, sold in retail stores of the Metropolitan Region, 2025

Abstract

Introduction: First, the market for high-protein foods has grown significantly globally and nationally, making it necessary to verify compliance with the protein content declared on nutritional labels. Objective: To evaluate compliance with the declared protein content in foods labeled as high-protein and sold in retail stores in the Metropolitan Region, 2025. Methodology: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted on 19 products selected using non-probability quota sampling. Protein content was determined using the Kjeldahl method. Differences between declared and determined protein were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (Alpha=0,05). Result: 89% of the products met the minimum tolerance established by the Food Sanitary Regulations (greater than or equal to 80%). However, the determined content was lower than the declared content in 89% of the products, with relative differences ranging from 3% to 44%. Statistically significant differences were observed in the milk (p=0,043) and cereal (p=0,010) categories. Discussion: Discrepancies between declared and measured protein content could be due to analytical variability, conversion factors, or labeling errors. Although the products comply with the Food Sanitary Regulations standard, the overestimation of protein content affects transparency and may mislead consumers with higher nutritional requirements. Conclusion: It is concluded that, although most products comply with current regulations, the actual protein content is consistently lower than declared, which may affect the transparency of nutritional information and consumer decision-making.