2011—2016年广西壮族自治区市售婴幼儿食品食源性致病菌监测结果分析

目的 了解广西壮族自治区婴幼儿食品中食源性致病菌污染状况和趋势,为有效开展食源性疾病防控提供科学依据。方法 2011—2016年从广西壮族自治区14个市采集婴幼儿食品,按照GB 4789系列标准和《2014年国家食品污染和有害因素风险监测工作手册》规定方法分别进行4种致病菌检验。结果 共检测7 956份样品,其中婴幼儿谷类辅助食品阳性率为6.1%(249/4 084),婴幼儿配方食品阳性率为4.7%(183/3 872)。不同年度监测结果显示,婴幼儿谷类辅助食品中,阪崎肠杆菌阳性率范围为2.7%～5.6%,蜡样芽胞杆菌为2.3%～8.4%(除2011和2015年),金黄色葡萄球菌为0.0%～0.4%;婴幼儿配方食品中,阪崎肠杆菌阳性率范围为0.2%～1.8%,蜡样芽胞杆菌为10.2%～12.4%(除2011和2015年),金黄色葡萄球菌为0.0%～0.3%;沙门菌检出1份,产地为内蒙古自治区。婴幼儿谷类辅助食品中,国内阳性率为6.1%(248/4 077),7份国外样品检出1份阳性样品;婴幼儿配方食品中,国内阳性率为4.7%(177/3 758),国外为5.3%(6/114)。结论 广西壮族自治区市售婴幼儿食品中阪崎肠杆菌和蜡样芽胞杆菌污染持续存在,对婴幼儿食品安全造成威胁,应加强对国内生产企业的卫生监管。     

婴儿配方粉及生产加工环节微生物污染情况调查

目的了解婴儿配方粉及生产加工环节中微生物污染状况。方法采自某企业婴儿配方粉原料、设备、人员及成品等共880份样品,按SN/T 0738—1997《出口食品中肠杆菌科检验方法》和GB 4789系列规定的方法进行肠杆菌科、阪崎肠杆菌和蜡样芽胞杆菌检测。结果肠杆菌科检出率为28.41%(250/880),阪崎肠杆菌检出率为0.46%(4/872),蜡样芽胞杆菌检出率为16.94%(31/183);原料中肠杆菌科污染最高(40.00%,40/100);预处理车间人员、设备和环境表面共检出4株阪崎肠杆菌;成品中蜡样芽胞杆菌检出率为22.73%(10/44)。结论婴儿配方粉及生产加工环节均存在微生物污染情况,企业及相关部门应从原料、生产环节、环境等多方面严格把关,确保产品质量。     

柳江县市售国产婴幼儿配方粉中阪崎肠杆菌污染监测分析

目的 了解市售国产婴幼儿配方粉中阪崎肠杆菌污染状况,为消费预警提供科学依据。方法 分别按2011、2012年版国家食源性致病菌监测工作手册对市场上11家国内生产的32份婴幼儿配方粉进行检测。结果 32份样品检出2株阪崎肠杆菌,检出率为6.25%。其中婴幼儿配方奶粉中阪崎肠杆菌检出率4.35%(1/23);婴幼儿谷物食品中阪崎肠杆菌检出率11.11%(1/9)。结论 柳江县市售部分婴幼儿配方粉中存在阪崎肠杆菌污染,食用安全隐患不容忽视,应加强监测力度,预防和控制阪崎肠杆菌引起的食物中毒事件发生。     

2018年河南省市售婴幼儿谷类辅助食品微生物污染状况调查

目的 了解河南省市售婴幼儿谷类辅助食品卫生状况,为食品安全风险评估及标准制定提供基础数据。方法 参照《2018年国家食品污染物和有害因素风险监测工作手册》提供方法进行采样和检测,在河南省共采集婴幼儿谷类辅助食品103份,对其进行肠杆菌科、蜡样芽胞杆菌、单核细胞增生李斯特菌和克罗诺杆菌属污染状况检测,对检测中可疑菌落采用基质辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱进行鉴定。结果 103份样品中肠杆菌科和克罗诺杆菌属检出率分别为0.97%(1/103)和5.83%(6/103),均在婴幼儿即食谷物辅助食品中检出,产地集中在江西省和福建省,采样地点类型均为便利店/零售店,6份克罗诺杆菌属阳性样品中有5份样品标识为≥辅食添加初期。9份样品蜡样芽胞杆菌定量结果在10～10³ CFU/g范围,检出率为8.74%(9/103),样品产地包括广东省、江西省、福建省、黑龙江省和四川省,采样地点类型均为超市和便利店/零售店,其中有8份是婴幼儿即食谷物辅助食品。结论 河南省市售婴幼儿谷类辅助食品尤其是婴幼儿即食谷物辅助食品受到克罗诺杆菌属和蜡样芽胞杆菌污染,且这些阳性产品中大多数标识的适用年龄为≥辅食添加初期,由此带来的食品安全风险较大,建议婴幼儿即食谷物辅助食品添加克罗诺杆菌属和蜡样芽胞杆菌微生物限量,降低由此带来的食品安全隐患。     

婴幼儿配方食品中阪崎肠杆菌的计数结果不确定度评定

[目的] 了解专项抽查的婴儿配方食品中的阪崎肠杆菌指标状况,并探讨阪崎肠杆菌的计数结果的不确定度评定方法。[方法] 按照GB 4789.1-2010 《食品微生物学检验 总则》和GB 4789.40-2016 《食品微生物学检验 阪崎肠杆菌检验》进行了抽样和检测, 依据JJF1059.1-2012 《测量不确定度评定与表示》及贝塞尔统计学方法对计数结果进行不确定度评定。[结果]22批次婴儿配方食品中有1批次检出阪崎肠杆菌,检出率为4.55%, 该批次样品中阪崎肠杆菌平均计数为25.5MPN/100g,计数结果扩展标准不确定度为2.72MPN/100g。[结论] 本次评估依据阪崎肠杆菌检计数检验国家标准,对4次保温培养节点进行了分析,结果表明固液混合过程,酵液取样体积,阪崎肠杆菌显色平板上可疑菌落选择和MPN法重复计数的四个不确定度较大,是记数检验过程中的重要环节。     

石家庄市市售婴幼儿食品中蜡样芽胞杆菌的监测及溶血素基因的分析

了解目前市售婴幼儿配方奶粉、谷基辅助食品样品中蜡样芽胞杆菌的污染及其毒素基因的携带情况。方法 采集石家庄市23个区县市售婴幼儿配方粉、谷基辅助食品共399份,依照国家标准 GB/T 4789.14—2003《食品卫生微生物学检验 蜡样芽胞杆菌检验》和《食源性致病菌监测工作手册》进行蜡样芽胞杆菌检测并计数,应用荧光PCR方法检测蜡样分离株的溶血素基因和非溶血素基因。结果 399份样品中蜡样芽胞杆菌检出85份,其中婴幼儿配方奶粉检出36份,检出率22.8%(36/158);谷基辅助食品检出49份,检出率20.3%(49/241)。85份阳性样品中有48份呈溶血素基因阳性,检出率56.5%,非溶血素基因均为阴性。结论 婴幼儿食品中蜡样芽胞杆菌的污染较严重,存在潜在的食品风险。分析结果可为婴幼儿食品卫生学检验标准及监督管理等方面提供参考。     

多重PCR快速检测婴幼儿奶粉中的病原菌

为了建立同时检测婴幼儿奶粉中阪崎肠杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、蜡样芽孢杆菌的多重PCR方法,根据阪崎肠杆菌ompA基因、金黄色葡萄球菌nuc基因、蜡样芽孢杆菌hblA基因分别设计3对引物进行多重PCR扩增,并对反应条件进行优化。结果多重PCR扩增出长度为514、156、235bp的特异性目的条带。不增菌的情况下,多重PCR同时检测3种病原菌的灵敏度是103cfu/mL,3种病原菌在奶粉中的检出限是104cfu/g。建立的多重PCR反应准确、快速、高效,为同时检测婴幼儿奶粉中的阪崎肠杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、蜡样芽孢杆菌提供了新方法。     

2016年昆明市学校周边食品及婴幼儿食品卫生安全调查

目的 了解2016年昆明市学校周边食品及婴幼儿食品的卫生状况。方法 采集昆明市区的学校午餐、学校周边流动食品、学校周边即食儿童食品、婴幼儿配方食品及鲜乳共203份样品, 按照国家食品污染和有害因素风险监测工作手册的方法进行检测。结果 203份样品中, 共检出19株蜡样芽胞杆菌, 致病菌检出率为9.4%。其中, 学校周边食品的蜡样芽胞杆菌检出率为18.2%, 婴幼儿食品的蜡样芽胞杆菌检出率为4.0%。结论 昆明市学校周边食品及婴幼儿食品中存在蜡样芽胞杆菌污染, 有一定的安全隐患, 相关监管部门应加强监督, 预防食源性疾病的发生。     

婴幼儿食品和配方奶粉中克罗诺杆菌污染调查及分子分型研究

目的了解温州市市售婴幼儿食品和配方奶粉中克罗诺杆菌污染情况及分子分型特征,分析不同菌株间亲缘相关性。方法参照GB 4789.40—2010《食品安全国家标准食品微生物学检验阪崎肠杆菌检验》方法在食品中分离鉴定克罗诺杆菌。采用脉冲场凝胶电泳(PFGE)和多位点序列分型(MLST)方法对克罗诺杆菌进行分型研究。结果 2013—2017年共采集737份婴幼儿食品和配方奶粉,克罗诺杆菌总检出率为6.1%(45/737)。其中婴幼儿谷类辅助食品检出率最高(23.4%,37/158)。45株克罗诺杆菌属于阪崎克罗诺杆菌(C.sakazakii)、丙二酸盐克罗诺杆菌(C.malonaticus)和莫金斯克罗诺杆菌(C.muytjensii)。其中阪崎克罗诺杆菌最多(73.3%,33/45),其次为丙二酸盐克罗诺杆菌(24.4%,11/45)。MLST共分为25个ST型,其中ST64、ST1、ST40、ST4和ST7为优势型别。45株克罗诺杆菌PFGE分型得到38个带型,未发现有明显的优势分型和聚集现象。PFGE型和MLST型结果分析表明,绝大数具有相同PFGE型的菌株也有相同的MLST型,而相同MLST型却不一定具有较高的亲缘关系。结论温州市市售婴幼儿食品和配方奶粉中克罗诺杆菌的污染状况较轻,其中婴幼儿谷类辅助食品检出率最高。食品来源的克罗诺杆菌图谱具有高多态性和离散性。     

2011—2019年吉林省食品中蜡样芽胞杆菌污染状况分析

目的 了解2011—2019年吉林省食品中蜡样芽胞杆菌污染情况,为食品安全监管及食源性疾病防治提供理论依据。方法 采集2011—2019年吉林省九个地(市)级的餐饮服务环节和流通环节中的样品3 173份,参照GB 4789.14—2014《食品安全国家标准 食品微生物学检验 蜡样芽胞杆菌检验》中的方法,对食品中的蜡样芽胞杆菌进行检测并分析。结果 2011—2019年吉林省3 173份食品样品中,蜡样芽胞杆菌总检出率为23.6%(750/3 173),2015年检出率最高(38.5%, 62/161),2017年检出率最低(11.8%, 20/170);白山市检出率最高(35.8%, 139/388),其次为延边州(31.4%, 97/309),四平市检出率最低(15.3%, 76/496);蛋与蛋制品检出率最高(60.0%, 3/5),其次为乳与乳制品(39.3%, 114/290)及婴幼儿食品(31.1%, 185/595);百货商场中蜡样芽胞杆菌检出率最高(32.4%, 22/68),其次为小吃店及饮品店(30.9%, 43/139)、快餐店(29.1%, 25/86)。平板计数(CFU)法测得蜡样芽胞杆菌检出结果的中位数(四分位数间距)为5.8(2.9,8.7)CFU/g(mL),稀释培养测数(MPN)法测得结果的中位数(四分位数间距)为6.4(3.2,9.6)MPN/g(mL)。结论 吉林省各地市食品中存在不同程度的蜡样芽胞杆菌污染,以白山市最为严重,蛋与蛋制品、乳与乳制品是主要受污染食品,食品监管部门应加强百货商场、小吃店及饮品店等地点的安全监测与管理。     

Ovarian structures and circulating steroids in heifers and lactating cows in summer and lactating and dry cows in winter

Two experiments compared follicular and luteal development and circulating steroid concentrations from induced luteolysis to ovulation in lactating Holstein cows (n = 27; 40.0 +/- 1.5 kg milk/day) vs. nulliparous heifers (n = 28; 11 to 17 mo-old) during summer (Experiment 1), and in lactating (n = 27; 45.9 +/- 1.4 kg milk/d) vs. dry cows (n = 26) during winter (experiment 2). All females received PGF2,, 6 d after ovulation and were monitored until next ovulation by daily ultrasound and assay of serum progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2). Every female was used two or three times. In Experiment 1, lactating cows had high incidence of multiple ovulation (63.5%) compared with heifers (1.3%). Among single ovulators, there was no difference in maximal size of ovulatory follicles between lactating cows and heifers (15.8 vs. 16.5 mm, respectively). However, lactating cows had lower peak serum E2 (8.6 vs. 12.1 pg/ml), took longer to ovulate after luteolysis (4.6 vs. 3.8 d), developed more luteal tissue volume (7,293.6 vs. 5,515.2 mm3), and had lower serum P4 on d 6 after ovulation (2.0 vs. 3.0 ng/ml) than heifers (data included multiple ovulators). In experiment 2, multiple ovulations were similar between lactating and dry cows (17.9 vs. 17.2%, respectively). Peak serum E2 was also similar between lactating and dry cows (7.6 vs. 8.5 pg/ml) although lactating cows had larger ovulatory follicles (18.6 vs. 16.2 +/- 0.4 mm). Lactating cows took longer to ovulate (4.8 vs. 4.2 d), developed more luteal tissue (7,599 vs. 5,139 +/- 468 mm3), but had similar serum P4 (2.2 vs. 1.9 ng/ ml) compared with dry cows. Therefore, lactating cows had similar or lower circulating steroid concentrations than dry cows or heifers, respectively, despite having larger ovarian structures.     

Fertilization and early embryonic development in heifers and lactating cows in summer and lactating and dry cows in winter

Two experiments in two seasons evaluated fertilization rate and embryonic development in dairy cattle. Experiment 1 (summer) compared lactating Holstein cows (n = 27; 97.3 +/- 4.1 d postpartum [dppl; 40.0 +/- 1.5 kg milk/d) to nulliparous heifers (n = 28; 11 to 17 mo old). Experiment 2 (winter) compared lactating cows (n = 27; 46.4 +/- 1.6 dpp; 45.9 +/- 1.4 kg milk/d) to dry cows (n = 26). Inseminations based on estrus included combined semen from four high-fertility bulls. Embryos and oocytes recovered 5 d after ovulation were evaluated for fertilization, embryo quality (1 = excellent to 5 = degenerate), nuclei/embryo, and accessory sperm. In experiment 1, 21 embryos and 17 unfertilized oocytes (UFO) were recovered from lactating cows versus 32 embryos and no UFO from heifers (55% vs. 100% fertilization). Embryos from lactating cows had inferior quality scores (3.8 +/- 0.4 vs. 2.2 +/- 0.3), fewer nuclei/embryo (19.3 +/- 3.7 vs. 36.8 +/- 3.0) but more accessory sperm (37.3 +/- 5.8 vs. 22.4 +/- 5.5/embryo) than embryos from heifers. Sperm were attached to 80% of UFO (17.8 +/- 12.1 sperm/UFO). In experiment 2, lactating cows yielded 36 embryos and 5 UFO versus 34 embryos and 4 UFO from dry cows (87.8 vs. 89.5% fertilization). Embryo quality from lactating cows was inferior to dry cows (3.1 +/- 0.3 vs. 2.2 +/- 0.3), but embryos had similar numbers of nuclei (27.2 +/- 2.7 vs. 30.6 +/- 2.1) and accessory sperm (42.0 +/- 9.4 vs. 36.5 +/- 6.3). From 53% of the flushings from lactating cows and 28% from dry cows, only nonviable embryos were collected. Thus, embryos of lactating dairy cows were detectably inferior to embryos from nonlactating females as early as 5 d after ovulation, with a surprisingly high percentage of nonviable embryos. In addition, fertilization rate was reduced only in summer, apparently due to an effect of heat stress on the oocyte.     

Sweetness and aroma perceptions in dairy desserts varying in sucrose and aroma levels and in textural agent

Sweetness–aroma interactions were investigated in model dairy desserts varying in sucrose concentration, aroma concentration and in textural characteristics using different textural agents (κ-, ι-, λ-carrageenans and an equal-mix of the three). Overall intensities of sweetness and aroma perceptions were evaluated by sensory analysis and apparent partition coefficients of aroma compounds were measured by static headspace—GC.Sweetness–aroma interaction was characterised by a non-reciprocal relationship. Concentration of aroma had no impact on sweetness intensity, whatever be the sucrose concentration or textural characteristics of desserts, whereas varying texture or sucrose concentration modified aroma intensity. However, effects on aroma assessment were effective only when aroma concentration was the highest. In this condition, use of λ-carrageenan or increasing sucrose concentration from 25 to 50 g kg⁻¹ enhanced aroma intensity, but no extra enhancement was observed when sucrose concentration was 100 g kg⁻¹. As the air–dessert partition coefficient remained constant, impact of textural characteristics and sweetness variation on aroma perception did not result from physico-chemical interaction.     

Aluminium and fluoride in hospital daily diets and in teas

The levels of aluminium and fluoride have been determined in hospital daily diets including breakfast, dinner and supper, as well as in black teas and herbal teas purchased from the local market. In tea, aluminium was determined directly in a sample solution by atomic absorption spectroscopy using nitrous oxide and an acetylene flame. For analysis of the hospital diet, samples containing lower levels of aluminium were analysed using a spectrophotometric method which measured aluminium in the form of a 8-hydroxyquinoline complex. Decomposition of the samples was achieved using a mixture of concentrated acids [nitric (HNO₃), perchloric (HClO₄) and sulphuric (H₂SO₄)] in platinum dishes. Fluoride was assayed by spectrophotometry using a microdiffusion procedure with a mixture of concentrated HClO₄ and silver sulphate, trace amounts of the released fluoride [as hydrogen fluoride (HF)] were trapped on the alkaline surface of a Petri dish and then determined in the form of an alizarin-fluoride complex. The mean level of aluminium found in hospital daily diets amounted to 21.3±12.3 mg and the mean level of fluoride was 1.38±1.12 mg per adult person. In the 16 samples of commercially available brands of black teas, the levels of aluminium and fluroide ranged from 445 to 1552 ppm (mean=897±264 ppm) and from 30 to 340 ppm (mean 141±85 ppm), respectively. In six herbal teas, the mean levels of aluminium and fluoride were lower, and amounted to 218.9±150.7 ppm and 6.0±6.9 ppm, respectively. This study has shown that concern about a high intake of aluminium and fluoride from these foods is unfounded.     

2018年深圳市售蔬菜和鸡蛋中氟虫腈及其代谢物的检测分析

目的 建立超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定蔬菜和鸡蛋中氟虫腈及其代谢物(氟甲腈、氟虫腈砜和氟虫腈亚砜), 并对深圳市售的蔬菜和鸡蛋中氟虫腈及其代谢物残留状况进行抽样检测。方法 采用QuEChERS前处理方法, 以C18色谱柱为分离柱, 以乙腈和10 mmol甲酸+6 mmol甲酸铵水溶液为流动相进行梯度洗脱, 用超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry, UPLC-MS/MS), 电喷雾电离(electrospray ionization, ESI), 多反应监测(multiple reaction monitoring, MRM)模式检测, 外标法同时定量测定氟虫腈及其代谢物。结果 方法的线性范围为0.1~2.0 μg/L, 线性相关系数均大于0.9994, 检出限0.0005 mg/kg, 定量限0.001 mg/kg; 蔬菜中3个水平的平均加标回收率88.0%~101.2%, 相对标准偏差(relative standard deviation, RSD)均小于8.5%; 鸡蛋中3个水平的平均加标回收率86.1%~104.8%, 相对标准偏差(RSD)均小于9.2%。结论 该方法具有操作简单、干扰少、快速、准确可靠等特点, 可适用于蔬菜鸡蛋中氟虫腈及其代谢物的检测。     

芝麻饼粕及其在烟草上应用研究现状

概述了芝麻饼粕的有效营养成分及其作为有机肥的加工方法,介绍了芝麻饼粕在烟草生产上的应用效果。并就进一步促进芝麻饼粕在烟草上的应用提出了建议,以期为烟叶生产过程中科学使用芝麻饼粕提供参考资料。     

Characterization of limestones and their effects in vitro and in vivo in dairy cattle

Capacities of limestones of differing particle size to neutralize acid in vitro and to modify pH and utilization of feedstuffs in vivo were compared. Acid neutralization during pH-stat titrations was faster for fine than for coarse limestone, and mixed microbial cultures were more resistant to pH change when they contained fine calcium carbonate. Diets containing 25:75 corn silage to concentrates and .95% calcium from either coarse or fine limestone were fed to rumen-fistulated heifers. Total ruminal volatile fatty acid concentrations were higher for the fine limestone treatment. Ruminal volumes, dry matter disappearance, and ruminal fluid pH and dilution rate did not differ between fine and coarse limestone treatments. Ruminal fluid volume, osmolality, ratios of acetate to propionate, and concentrations of total volatile fatty acids were unaffected in rumen-fistulated Holstein cows fed 60:40 corn silage to concentrates and either .5% calcium (control) or 1.0% calcium from either coarse or fine limestone. Ruminal pH increased .07 to .10 units with limestone supplementation. Ruminal fluid dilution and particulate turnover rates were slower for the coarse limestone than the control treatment. Differences between coarse and fine limestones in vitro were observed under some conditions in vivo, but they were not consistent.     

Flavour and vitamin stability in pasteurized milk in polyethylene-coated cartons and in polyethylene bottles

Commercially pasteurized, non-homogenized full cream milk in 2-pt white polyethylene (PE)-coated cartons overprinted with blue, and in 4-pt PE bottles was stored for 4 d in the dark or under white fluorescent light of 4000 1x, at a temperature of 7°C. The flavour of milks kept in the dark remained good, but exposure to light resulted in early off-flavour development: cartoned milk was disliked by a flavour panel after about 17.5 h exposure and milk in the PE bottles after 9 h. Vitamins A and B₂ were stable in the milk during 4 d storage in the dark in both bottles and cartons, and in cartons exposed to light. In the bottled milks, light-induced losses of these vitamins after 4 d were, respectively, 15% and 35%. but there was little or no loss before the development of light-induced flavour. Loss of total vitamin C by day 4 was about 50% in the dark, irrespective of container. In the cartons exposed to light, 66% of the vitamin C was lost, while virtually none remained in the exposed, bottled milk. There was also a markedly greater loss of vitamin C in the bottled milk than in the cartoned milk at the time the flavour became unacceptable. The dissolved O₂ concentration dropped considerably in the bottled milk exposed to light, but only marginally in the cartons. There were small increases in dissolved O₂ in the dark in both types of container.     

开封市畜禽沙门菌污染状况及血清学鉴定分析

了解开封市畜禽肉中沙门菌的污染状况及血清学分布,为沙门菌引起的食源性疾病的防控提供依据。方法 依据GB 4789.4—2010《中华人民共和国国家标准食品卫生微生物学检验方法》和2011年国家食源性疾病监测网监测方案,定期对开封市畜禽养殖场和屠宰场进行随机采样监测。结果 在691份样品中,沙门菌检出率为35.9%(248/691);分离出沙门菌253株,有17个血清型。结论 开封市生鸡肉和生猪肉不同程度受到沙门菌的污染,以生鸡肉污染最严重。应加强禽畜类养殖、屠宰加工等过程的卫生监管,减少食源性疾病的发生。     

Heavy metals in vegetables grown in The Netherlands and in domestic and imported fruits

The contents of cadmium, lead mercury, copper, manganese and zinc in 242 samples of 37 different species of domestic and imported fruits have been determined. Also contents of the same heavy metals, except mercury, have been determined in 205 samples of 7 species of domestic vegetables (lettuce, spinach, endive, beetroots, onions, celeriac and Swedish turnips). The median contents (in mg/kg fresh mass of the edible part) found for fruits are: Cd 0.002; Pb 0.017; Hg 0.002; Cu 0.61; Mn 0.52 and Zn 0.99. In the vegetables median levels have been found (mg/kg) of 0.009-0.073 for Cd, 0.01-0.03 for Pb, less than 0.2-0.3 for Cu, 0.69-1.41 for Mn and 0.95-5.5 for Zn. The contribution of fruits to the tolerable daily intakes of Cd, Pb and Hg is, for an average consumption pattern, less than 1%. On the other hand, the contribution to the recommended amounts of the essential elements Cu, Mn, and Zn is no more than 1%-3%. From the vegetables an average portion of spinach contains 19% and 2.6% of the tolerable daily amounts of Cd and Pb, respectively. For the other species of vegetables these figures are less than 5% for Cd (except for endive, 6.8%) and for lead less than 1%. Spinach contributes considerably to the need for Cu, Mn and Zn, in general more than 10% of the recommended daily amounts. The other species of vegetables contribute only from less than 1% to less than few percents.