The Intake of Phosphorus and Nitrites through Meat Products: A Health Risk Assessment of Children Aged 1 to 9 Years Old in Serbia

This study provides the data on dietary exposure of Serbian children to nitrites and phosphorus from meat products by combining individual consumption data with available analytical data of meat products. A total of 2603 and 1900 commercially available meat products were categorized into seven groups and analysed for nitrite and phosphorous content. The highest mean levels of nitrite content, expressed as NaNO2, were found in finely minced cooked sausages (40.25 ± 20.37 mg/kg), followed by canned meat (34.95 ± 22.12 mg/kg) and coarsely minced cooked sausages (32.85 ± 23.25 mg/kg). The EDI (estimated daily intake) of nitrites from meat products, calculated from a National Food Consumption Survey in 576 children aged 1–9 years, indicated that the Serbian children population exceeded the nitrite ADI (acceptable daily intake) proposed by EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) in 6.4% of children, with a higher proportion in 1–3-year-old participants. The mean phosphorus concentration varied from 2.71 ± 1.05 g/kg to 6.12 ± 1.33 g/kg in liver sausage and pate and smoked meat products, respectively. The EDI of phosphorus from meat products was far below the ADI proposed by EFSA, indicating that the use of phosphorus additives in Serbian meat products is generally in line with legislation.

Contribution of fortified margarines and other plant-based fats to micronutrient intake in the Netherlands

Purpose In the Netherlands, margarines and other plant-based fats (fortified fats) are encouraged to be fortified with vitamin A and D, by a covenant between the Ministry of Health and food manufacturers. Frequently, these types of fats are also voluntarily fortified with other micronutrients. The current study investigated the contribution of both encouraged as well as voluntary fortification of fortified fats on the micronutrient intakes in the Netherlands. Methods Data of the Dutch National Food Consumption Survey (2012–2016; N = 4, 314; 1–79 year.) and the Dutch Food Composition Database (NEVO version 2016) were used to estimate micronutrient intakes. Statistical Program to Assess Dietary Exposure (SPADE) was used to calculate habitual intakes and compared to dietary reference values, separate for users and non-users of fortified fats. Results Of the Dutch population, 84% could be considered as user of fortified fats. Users consumed mostly 1 fortified fat a day, and these fats contributed especially to the total micronutrient intake of the encouraged fortified micronutrients (vitamins D and A; 44% and 29%, respectively). The voluntary fortification also contributed to total micronutrient intakes: between 7 and 32%. Vitamin D and A intakes were up to almost double among users compared to non-users. Intakes were higher among users for almost all micronutrients voluntarily added to fats. Higher habitual intakes resulted into higher risks of excessive vitamin A-intakes among boys and adult women users. Conclusion Consumption of fortified fats in the Netherlands resulted into higher vitamin A and D-intakes among users, compared to non-users of these products.

Food Security Level of Fisherman Household in Bandar Lampung, Indonesia

The condition of fishermen’s households that are less food secure can be triggered by poverty. As a developing country, Indonesia still has a fairly high poverty rate of 34.96 million people, of which 63.47% are people living in coastal areas. According to the Food Consumption Survey of Lampung in 2017, 2018, and 2019 conducted by the Food Security Agency of Lampung Province, it is known that the amount and level of energy consumption of fishery households in Bandar Lampung City has decreased from 1,815.1 kcal/cap/day or by 93, 1% in 2017 to 1,666.4 kcal/cap/year or 84.0% in 2018, and decreased again to 1,568.0 kcal/cap/day or 75.1% in 2019. This study aims to analyze the level of food security of fishermen’s households in and the level of energy and protein adequacy of fishermen’s households in Teluk Betung Selatan District. This research was conducted in Teluk Betung Selatan District, Bandar Lampung. The research was conducted on March to July 2021. The sample of fishermen in this study was 50 fishermen from 1,207 fishermen in Teluk Betung Selatan District. Sampling was done by simple random method. The results of this study are (1) the food security of fishermen’s households in Teluk Betung Selatan District is mostly in the food security category (78%), while the remaining 22% are in the food insecurity category; (2) the level of energy adequacy of fishermen’s households in Teluk Betung Selatan District is mostly in the poor category (52%), but the level of protein adequacy is mostly.

Exposure assessment to essential elements through the consumption of canned fish in Serbia

The aim of this study was to provide a quantitative exposure assessment to essential elements through the consumption of canned fish in Serbia. This objective was fulfilled by analyzing content of essential elements in canned fish and by using data from a food consumption survey. Consumption survey of canned fish was designed and performed to general principles and EFSA guidelines on data collection of national food consumption. The questionnaire was performed on 1,000 respondents during 2018. Determination of copper, zinc and iron levels were performed on 454 canned fish and seafood samples divided into four groups (canned tuna, canned sardines, canned other sea fish and canned seafood) during five consecutive years (2014–2018). This study showed significant association between sex, BMI and weight and consumption patterns. Obtained average weekly consumption of canned fish confirms our assumption that consumption of canned fish is significant in Serbia. Zinc and iron were found in all 454 samples (100%), and copper in 222 samples (48.9%). The average obtained concentration in all samples were 1.268 mg kg–1 for Cu, 5.661 mg kg–1 for Zn and 9.556 mg kg–1 for Fe. The highest concentration for all three minerals were found in canned sardines (Cu — 6.49 mg kg–1, Zn — 37.2 mg kg–1 and Fe — 21.8 mg kg–1). Obtained mean exposure to intake of copper, zinc and iron from canned fish was 1.2241 μg/kg bw/day, 5.4634 μg/kg bw/day and 9.2231 μg/kg bw/day, respectively. Exposure of Serbian population to zinc, copper, and iron through consumption of canned fish is less than recommended daily reference intakes and there is no risk of reaching toxic levels by consuming fish.

The protein gap: increasing protein intake in the diet of community-dwelling older adults – A simulation study

Objective: Approximately 50% of Dutch community-dwelling older adults does not meet protein recommendations. This study assesses the effect of replacing low protein foods with protein-rich alternatives on protein intake of Dutch community-dwelling older adults. Design: The Dutch National Food Consumption Survey – Older Adults 2010-2012 was used for scenario modelling. Dietary intake was estimated for 727 adults aged 70+ based on two 24-h recalls. Commonly consumed products were replaced by comparable products rich in protein (scenario 1), foods enriched in protein (scenario 2), and a combination of both (scenario 3). Replacement scenarios were confined to participants whose dietary protein intake was <1.0g/kg BW/day (n=391). Habitual protein intake of all older adults was estimated, adjusting for effects of within-person variation in the 2-days intake data. Results: Mean protein intake of the total population increased from 1.0 to 1.2 g/kg BW/day (scenarios 1 and 2) and to 1.3 g/kg BW/day (scenario 3). The percentage of participants with intakes of ≥1.0 g/kg BW/day increased from 47.1% to 91.4%, 90.2%, and 94.6% respectively in scenarios 1, 2 and 3. The largest increases in protein intake were due to replacements in food groups Yoghurt, cream desserts and pudding, Potatoes, vegetables and legumes and Non-alcoholic beverages and milk in scenario 1 and Bread; Yoghurt, cream desserts and pudding and Soups in scenario 2. Conclusions: This simulation model shows that replacing low protein foods with comparable alternatives rich in protein can increase the protein intake of Dutch community-dwelling older adults considerably. Results can be used as a basis for nutritional counseling.

Dietary intake of protein and fat of 12- to 36-month-old children in a Dutch Total Diet Study

Purpose This study attempted gaining insight into the intake of protein and fat of 12- to 36-month-old children in the Netherlands. Methods In 2017, a Total Diet Study (TDS) was carried out in the Netherlands including following three age groups: 12–17-, 18–23- and 24- to 36-month-old children. Protein and fat concentrations of 164 composite samples were analysed and combined with the consumption data from the Dutch National Food Consumption Survey 2012–2016 (DNFCS). Results Median protein intake of the 12- to 35-month-old Dutch children based on the TDS was 35 g/day with main contributions from the food subgroups “milk and milk-based beverages”, “beef” and “yoghurts and desserts”. Median fat intake was 34 g/day with main contributions from the food subgroups “margarines”, “cheeses” and “milk and milk-based beverages”. For the youngest age group (12- to 18-month-old children), (ready to drink) follow-on formula was one of the main contributors to the fat intake. Conclusion Compared to the EFSA reference values, protein intake of the Dutch 12- to 36-month-old children is high, whereas fat intake follows the reference intake. A TDS is a suitable instrument to estimate macronutrient intakes.