Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1335208
12 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 31 JANUARY 2021 NEWS Dentists: less than 1 in 20 get sugar levels right JAMES DEBONO A study carried out among 122 patients at dental screenings from the Mobile Dental Unit (MDU) or the University of Malta dental teaching clin- ics, revealed a low aware- ness of WHO sugar in- take guidelines. The study published in science journal Xjenza reported a low awareness of daily sugar intake guidelines, with one in four not even both- ering to read food labels. And while 42% did say they were aware of such guidelines, only 17.2% provid- ed the correct answer: 20-30g of daily sugar intake. Indeed, the study reveals awareness of foods that have high sugar content, such as soft drinks, desserts or meals con- sidered 'unhealthy', but not of foods traditionally consumed at breakfast, such as cereals, dried fruits and flavoured yo- ghurts. Although these have high sugar content, they were still considered to be healthy food by most participants. 51% said they read food labels regularly, while 26.4% said they read them 'sometimes', and 23% said they did not read the food labels. Of total respondents, just under 15% said they were un- able to read the food labels. This was determined by pre- senting them with food label cut-outs for them to i n t e r p r e t , with 41.7% showing a very good level of knowledge and an ad- ditional 47.5% providing a par- tially correct answer. Authors Laura Cuschieri, Maria Roxana Visan, Gabriel- la Gatt, Anne Marie Agius and Nikolai J Attard, from the Faculty of Dental Surgery, said the findings indicate the need for a better compre- hension in reading nutritional labels, as well as visually im- proving and simplifying certain food labels. However, it also turns out that those participants capa- ble of reading labels were also more likely to exercise more often (71% weekly) against 33% in other groups. And people with a high- er educational level (36.7%) were linked to a healthier diet, when compared to participants with a lower educational level (18.7%). Perhaps unsurprisingly, re- spondents with restored teeth were found to be significantly lower in respondents who were able to read labels. On a daily basis, respondents said they most likely consumed vegetables (53%), fruit (38%), fish (25%) and poultry (6%); less than 1% said the consumed meat or pasta every day. But nearly half reported eating pas- ta or pizza once a week, while 36% ate meat twice or three times a week. In an indication of unhealthy diets, one in 10 said they ate fruits and vegeta- bles less than once a week. Participants ranked taste as the most important factor in- fluencing food purchases, fol- lowed by low fat, price, low sugar, calories and branding. People with higher educational level linked to a healthier diet and awareness of food labels and sugar guidelines Participants capable of reading labels were also more likely to exercise more often (71% weekly) against 33% in other groups Recruitment agencies inconsistent on 50% salary cut NICOLE MEILAK AGENCIES identified by MaltaToday as having recruited platform workers for food delivery apps by taking a 50% cut from salaries, are skirting around questions by MaltaToday. Couriers who spoke to this newspa- per said their income is split 50/50 with recruitment agencies who provide the manpower to food delivery apps. Prime Minister Robert Abela has now con- firmed that Cabinet has discussed the issue of illegal employment practices by these companies. But many companies approached by MaltaToday avoided confronting the issue, often going into painstaking de- tail over the working conditions of their employees. Mantvydas Narusevicius, director of Wolt F o o d Delivery Malta, said the company was providing workers with holiday pay, sick leave, and government bonuses – but then clarified that WFDM was not a recruiment agency. "We are a food delivery service pro- vider where we, the company, gets paid directly – and not couriers. Couriers have contracts and get paid salaries. Same as a nail technician who works at the salon. You pay her, but she gets paid by her boss. It's called employment," he said. Narusevicius however stated that he had previously worked for one of these recruitment agencies, and argued that the 50/50 basis was an industry stand- ard given the amount of benefits these companies offer. "The company gives the motorbike, fuel, apparel, insurance and training – that's why the basis is 50/50 normally. They have expenses while drivers have none." But the admission shows that food de- livery workers have to 'pay' out of their earnings to retain their employment: that is, they must use their salary to pay for the use of the motorbike and fuel that allows them to carry out their job. Another firm, WT Global, insisted its couriers are given performance and fu- el allowances, apart from full insurance and towing services for motorbikes. They denied charging additional fees for third country nationals to secure the job. "We service and repair all bikes ourselves, and provide customer sup- port to all employees during working hours. We insure all workers during working hours with employee liability insurance... when bikes break down we offer free towing and give couriers an- other bike." They also denied taking 50% of courier earnings. RecruitGiant, one of the largest cou- rier providers, did not comment by the time of going to print. MaltaToday last week revealed con- firmed reports of couriers taking in just €2.70 for a delivery with recruitment agencies supplying delivery-workers to food delivery apps. Procuring the com- pany jacket and bag was another irregu- larity across agencies: some couriers re- port having received all the equipment for free, but others reported paying a deposit or having the cost deducted from their first payment. Most couriers earn 50% of the amount they generate, but the wage and method of payment varies between each courier. Some report earning €5 or €7 an hour, others say they earn €800 per month, but a majority only retain 50%. Certain firms provide riders with €150 for fuel. The matter was discussed in a Cabinet meeting the following Monday, with Prime Minister Robert Abela confirm- ing that a plan is being drawn up on how to address the situation. Union leaders also expressed serious concern over commission fees being paid out by employees, and the lack of contractual agreements among self-em- ployed food couriers. The matter was discussed in a Cabinet meeting the following Monday, with Prime Minister Robert Abela confirming that a plan is being drawn up on how to address the situation.