Shell egg handling and preparation practices in food service establishments in Finland

Foodborne outbreaks are often reported to be acquired at food service establishments. As a part of a quantitative risk assessment on the consumer risk of contracting Salmonella infection via shell eggs, we studied how small, medium, and large restaurants, institutional kitchens, and staff canteens (n=171) purchase, store, and use shell eggs. In addition, we estimated the fraction of raw and undercooked risky egg dishes among all egg dishes served in food service establishments of different sizes and types. The majority of establishments used shell eggs (78%), purchased eggs once per week (39%), and stored eggs at cool temperatures (82%). The size of the food service establishment had a less significant effect on shell egg preparation and handling practices than the type of the establishment. In particular, restaurants and institutional kitchens differed from each other. Restaurants purchased shell eggs more frequently, were more likely to store them at room temperature, stored shell eggs for a shorter period, and were more likely to prepare undercooked egg dishes than institutional kitchens. It was predicted that 6 to 20% of all different egg dishes prepared in a single randomly chosen food service establishment would be risky egg dishes with a 95% Bayesian credible interval of 0 to 96%, showing uncertainty because of the variability between kitchens and uncertainty in kitchen type-specific parameters. The results indicate that although most Finnish food service establishments had safe egg handling practices, a substantial minority expressed risky behavior. Compared with the egg consumption patterns in private Finnish households, however, practices in food service establishments did not prove to be more prone to risk.     

Comparative analysis of zinc status, food products' frequency intake and food habits of 11-year-old healthy children.

Children are particularly vulnerable to zinc (Zn) deficiency during periods of rapid growth and development such as infancy and adolescence. The aim was to find the relationship between food frequency, intake, food habits and zinc status in 11-year-old healthy children from southern Poland. The study group comprised children (n = 157) in the age range 11.0 +/- 0.4 years. The level of Zn in serum, erythrocytes and hair samples was measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The parents of children examined completed a special food frequency questionnaire. The Zn concentration in hair (boys 182.98 +/- 65.63 microg x g(-1), n = 78; girls 203.82 +/- 39.80 microg x g(-1), n = 79; p = 0.0171), erythrocytes (8.60 +/- 2.76 mg x l(-1), n = 50) and blood serum (0.79 +/- 0.15 mg x l(-1)) correlated significantly (p < 0.05) with frequency intake of different products (hair: meat, rolls, fruit juices without additives, brawn, pate, barley, black pudding, fish canned, chips, margarine used for cooking, bacon; erythrocytes: fruits, matured cheese, dishes of meal, white cottage cheese, fruit juices without additives, cakes and cakes with cream, margarine used for bread spread; blood serum: bread, fruits, milk, kefir, yoghurt). The relationship of the Zn amount in food products, food frequency intake and the concentration in different healthy children tissues is influenced by many internal and external factors.     

Influence of flavour enhancement on food liking and consumption in older adults with poor,moderate or high cognitive status

It is important to maintain adequate food consumption in older adults so as to prevent malnutrition, particularly among those with cognitive impairments who represent the majority of patients living in nursing homes. Indeed, these patients may reduce their food intake, which can be explained by a lack of pleasure in eating food. Few studies have tested the efficiency of strategies based on food pleasure to increase food intake in this population. To our knowledge, the influence of flavour enhancement has been widely investigated in non-cognitively impaired older adults, but not in those with cognitive impairments. Our objective was therefore to study the influence of flavour enhancement on food liking and then on food intake in older adults with different degrees of cognitive impairments. To achieve this, two food testing methods were compared: paired comparison and sequential monadic tests.104 subjects were recruited in four nursing homes and clustered into three groups as a function of their cognitive impairments (severe, moderate and without marked cognitive impairments). Two different samples of an appetizer were formulated: a reference sample and a flavour-enhanced sample. These appetizers were offered to the participants before lunch in standardised small portions during three tasting sessions organised at intervals of one week. During one session, the participants received both samples at the same time (paired comparison test) and during the two others, they were given a single sample at each session (sequential monadic test). Food intake and food liking were then evaluated with respect to each participant and each sample.The results showed a positive correlation between food liking and food intake, and a positive influence of flavour enhancement on food intake, regardless of the cognitive status of the participants. The sequential monadic test produced results similar to those of the paired-comparison test in terms of the effects of flavour enhancement. These findings suggest that this method could be used to investigate the influence of food interventions at mealtimes in older adults with cognitive impairments.Finally, this study shows that food intake could be increased by optimising the sensory properties of foods served to cognitively impaired older patients.     

Assessment of the nutritional status of preschool-age children during the second Intifada in Palestine

BACKGROUND: The Palestinian economy has dramatically deteriorated at all levels since the Al-Aqsa Intifada (uprising) began in 2000, resulting in an unprecedented catastrophe to the livelihoods of the Palestinians residing in the West Bank and Gaza. It was also marked by lack of household physical and financial access to food and health care, which placed children at increased risk of malnutrition and poor health. This prompted a significant increase in food aid from 2002 until the summer of 2003. OBJECTIVES: To assess the nutritional status of children 6 to 59 months of age after 1 year of food assistance. METHODS: In the West Bank and Gaza, a nationally representative sample of children 6 to 59 months of age was randomly selected with a validated multistage clustered design, with the Health Survey 1999 sample used as the sampling frame. The sample was stratified according to governorate, place of residence (urban, nonurban, or refugee camp), locality, and size of locality (number of households). A cross-sectional survey of nutritional status was carried out. Data were collected by interviews with the primary caregivers of the children. Measurements were made of children's weight and height or length. Food-intake data were collected by the 24-hour food-recall method with the use of a booklet of photographs of foods commonly eaten in Palestine. RESULTS: A total of 3,089 children were assessed, of whom 3.1% in the West Bank and 3.9% in the Gaza Strip were suffering from acute malnutrition; the prevalence of chronic malnutrition was 9.2% in the West Bank and 12.7% in the Gaza Strip (p = .02). Sex, refugee status, locality, and maternal education were not significantly associated with acute malnutrition by logistic regression analysis, whereas infants 6 to 23 months of age were significantly at risk. Calorie and protein intakes were generally lower than recommended dietary allowances. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence rates of both acute and chronic malnutrition among children in the West Bank and Gaza are significantly higher than the national Palestinian averages. There is a need to establish nutritional surveillance systems to monitor the nutritional status of children in conflict areas.     

Outcomes of screening and nutritional intervention among older adults in healthcare facilities.

A nutritional screening and early intervention program was administered to older adults in a subacute care facility. The study group was recruited among patients aged 65 or older, who were admitted to the geriatric and rehabilitation units of two hospitals. Two simple, reliable, and valid tools were used to screen subjects for the risk or presence of malnutrition. Those determined to be at high nutritional risk (n=62) were included in the study. Dietitians then conducted a full nutritional assessment and implemented a nutritional care plan for these subjects. Weekly follow-up was completed to measure oral intake, weight, and biochemical indices. A Short-Form 36 Health Survey was administered upon admission and discharge. Results showed significant increases in energy (p=0.0001) and protein (p=0.01) intakes, and in serum albumin (p=0.001), prealbumin (p=0.003), transferrin (p=0.024), and hematocrit (p=0.026) levels. There was also a significant increase in seven of the eight dimensions of the health-related quality of life questionnaire (p<0.05). Outcomes improve when older adults are screened for the risk or presence of malnutrition and receive an early nutritional care program.     

一起食用苦蒲瓜引起的幼儿园幼儿中毒事件的调查与处理

目的查明深圳市某幼儿园一起食物中毒事件的规模、致病来源,采取控制措施,为防止类似中毒事件的发生提出建议。方法按照病例定义开展病例搜索,采用描述性流行病学方法分析事件特征并找出病因线索,应用病例对照研究分析危险因素,通过采集留样食品、患者呕吐物和肛拭子、环境涂抹拭子进行微生物检测,市场调查商贩和市民对苦蒲瓜的认知。结果本次调查共搜索到病例21名,主要临床症状为呕吐80.95%(17/21)、腹泻71.42%(15/21)、腹痛61.90%(13/21)、头晕28.57%(6/21)、头痛14.29%(3/21)。潜伏期最短0.5 h,最长7.5 h,中位数为2.5 h。同时调查共同进餐未发病的42名人员作为对照组,病例对照研究表明本次事件的可疑食物为蒲瓜,病例组与对照组暴露比值比(OR)=266.00,95%可信区间(95%CI)=14.150~5 000.000。采集的22份样品均未检出金黄色葡萄球菌、蜡样芽胞杆菌、沙门菌、志贺菌、副溶血性弧菌和变形杆菌。尝试留样蒲瓜带有明显苦味。19.05%(4/21)的商贩和5.77%(3/52)的市民知道苦蒲瓜会引起食物中毒。结论本次食物中毒事件是由苦蒲瓜引起,建议幼儿园可使用其他蔬菜代替蒲瓜制作菜肴,各类饭店和家庭可先品尝再购买,卫生部门加强对商贩和市民的健康教育,防止中毒事件的发生。     

一起由B群沙门菌污染聚餐食品所致食物中毒调查分析

目的调查一起农村婚宴聚餐引起食物中毒的致病因子、致病食品及其污染来源,采取有效措施控制事件蔓延,预防今后类似事件的发生。方法开展现场流行病学调查,制定病例定义并主动搜索病例,采用描述流行病学方法分析本次事件病例的流行病学特征。通过个案调查访谈,对参加聚餐的108人开展病例对照研究,分析可能的致病食品。现场勘查和访谈厨师,了解婚宴菜品的制作过程、原料来源和所用水源等,并采集病例肛拭子、婚宴剩余食品、饮用水样进行实验室检测。结果本次食物中毒罹患率为21.6%(138/640),临床表现以腹泻、腹痛、发热为主。单因素分析结果显示94.4%(51/54)的病例和66.7%(36/54)的对照食用过由灌肚、里脊肉片、炸排骨、萝卜丝四种食品组成的凉菜拼盘,食用凉菜拼盘增加发病风险(比值比=8.50, 95%置信区间:2.32～31.02)。叉生分析结果显示同时食用拼盘中两种以上凉菜将增加发病风险(比值比=9.25, 95%置信区间:2.46～34.82)。4份病例肛拭子和1份凉菜拼盘中灌肚均检出B群沙门菌。5株检出的沙门菌脉冲场凝胶电泳(PFGE)指纹图谱为同一带型,提示病例和食品分离株在分子水平具有高度的同源性,为同一暴露源。结论本次事件是一起由B群沙门菌污染聚餐食品导致的食物中毒。凉菜拼盘是主要的致病食品,食品加工卫生环境与制作过程不规范操作是导致本次食物中毒发生的危险因素。当前农村自办宴席仍存在诸多食源性疾病发生的风险环节,应加强监管。     

Psychosocial correlates of nutritional risk in older adults.

The psychosocial correlates of nutritional risk among older adults were examined in a study involving 54 people over age 65 (range, 65 to 98; average, 81), who were selected through a convenience sampling strategy. Measures included a background questionnaire, Mini Nutritional Assessment, Life Satisfaction Index Form Z, Geriatric Depression Scale, and Lubben's Social Network Scale. Seventeen percent of participants were found to be at risk of malnutrition. Compared with those who had adequate nutrition, at-risk participants had lower levels of social support (approaching statistical significance, p=0.08) and life satisfaction (not significant), and significantly higher levels of depression (p=0.04). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that depression and social support were significant correlates of nutritional risk (p=0.01). Nutrition professionals should have a multidisciplinary perspective when they assess older adults' nutritional status.     

The survival of foodborne pathogens during domestic washing-up and subsequent transfer onto washing-up sponges,kitchen surfaces and food

In this study, the survival of Salmonella, Campylobacter and Escherichia coli O157: H7, when exposed to a range of constant temperatures (47-60 degrees C), in hard or soft water, in the presence/absence of detergent (0-0.3%) and organic matter, and during drying, was investigated. Further experiments used a washing-up process simulation, where soiled dishes contaminated with bacteria were washed in a bowl of warm water containing detergent. In addition, this study considered the risk of bacterial transfer onto (1) sterile dishes and sponges via contaminated water, (2) kitchen surfaces wiped with a contaminated sponge, (3) items placed in direct contact with a contaminated kitchen surface, (4) food placed on a contaminated dish or (5) dishes from contaminated food. A proportion of dishes remained contaminated with all pathogen types after a typical washing-up. Water hardness did not appear to affect survival. E. coli, and to a lesser extent Salmonella, survived towel- or air-drying on dishes and after towel-drying the cloth became contaminated on every occasion, regardless of the test organism. A proportion of sterile dishes washed after contaminated dishes became contaminated with pathogens but transfer from dishes onto food was rare. Washing-up sponges frequently became contaminated with pathogens. The results of this study highlight the potential for survival and cross contamination of food borne pathogens in the kitchen environment.     

从一起河鲀中毒调查探讨河鲀食用安全性的风险管理措施

目的通过一起河鲀中毒事件的流行病学调查和人群关于河鲀安全性的知识、态度、行为(KAP)调查,探讨河鲀食用安全的风险管理措施。方法通过病例搜索,调查病例家庭成员进食史及发病情况,采用回顾性队列研究分析发病的高危因素,制作调查问卷调查了解当地村民有关河鲀中毒的知识、态度和行为。结果共搜索到14例病例,其中1例死亡。症状主要为头晕(100%)、四肢无力(79%)、四肢肌肉麻痹和行走困难(71%)、口舌肢端麻痹(71%)等。食用河鲀是发病的危险因素,加工过程保留鱼肝共同煮食可增加中毒的危险(RR=1.8,95%CI=1.1~3.1)。KAP调查发现70%(33/47)的村民近3年曾进食过河鲀,其中88%(29/33)来源于市场或流动摊贩;98%(46/47)的村民知道河鲀有毒,94%(44/47)的村民知道国家法律禁止食用河鲀鱼,但仍有94%(44/47)的人认为其味道鲜美值得品尝。结论食用混杂于无毒河鲀中的有毒河鲀是导致本次食物中毒的主要原因。居民对河鲀安全性知晓率高但依从性差。     

我国酒店餐饮在食品营养方面的问题探析

随着经济水平的提高和居民消费结构的升级,食品营养问题引起了人们的关注。酒店餐饮是居民餐饮消费的重要途径,因此对酒店餐饮中食品营养问题进行研究具有重要意义。本文首先分析了我国居民食品营养现状及需求结构,指出我国酒店餐饮中在食品营养方面存在的问题,主要包括原材料选取问题、食材存储时间过长、菜品荤素搭配不合理以及食品调味料使用过重。引起这些问题的原因主要包括酒店服务理念的差异、酒店工作人员营养知识有限以及缺乏专业的营养师。最后从建立食材审查和验收机制、科学食材存储管理、设计人性化菜单、聘请专业营养师及对现有工作人员进行培训等方面得出加强酒店餐饮中食品营养的对策。     

Canadian house dust study: lead bioaccessibility and speciation

Vacuum samples were collected from 1025 randomly selected urban Canadian homes to investigate bioaccessible Pb (Pb(S)) concentrations in settled house dust. Results indicate a polymodal frequency distribution, consisting of three lognormally distributed subpopulations defined as "urban background" (geomean 58 μg g(-1)), "elevated" (geomean 447 μg g(-1)), and "anomalous" (geomean 1730 μg g(-1)). Dust Pb(S) concentrations in 924 homes (90%) fall into the "urban background" category. The elevated and anomalous subpopulations predominantly consist of older homes located in central core areas of cities. The influence of house age is evidenced by a moderate correlation between house age and dust Pb(S) content (R(2) = 0.34; n = 1025; p < 0.01), but it is notable that more than 10% of homes in the elevated/anomalous category were built after 1980. Conversely, the benefit of home remediation is evidenced by the large number of homes (33%) in the background category that were built before 1960. The dominant dust Pb species determined using X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy were as follows: Pb carbonate, Pb hydroxyl carbonate, Pb sulfate, Pb chromate, Pb oxide, Pb citrate, Pb metal, Pb adsorbed to Fe- and Al-oxyhydroxides, and Pb adsorbed to humate. Pb bioaccessibility estimated from solid phase speciation predicts Pb bioaccessibility measured using a simulated gastric extraction (R(2) = 0.85; n = 12; p < 0.0001). The trend toward increased Pb bioaccessibility in the elevated and anomalous subpopulations (75% ± 18% and 81% ± 8%, respectively) compared to background (63% ± 18%) is explained by the higher proportion of bioaccessible compounds used as pigments in older paints (Pb carbonate and Pb hydroxyl carbonate). This population-based study provides a nationally representative urban baseline for applications in human health risk assessment and risk management.     

A SURVEY ON INSTITUTIONAL USERS OF SHELL EGGS AND EGG PRODUCTS IN FLANDERS

A survey assessed the handling of shell eggs and processed eggs from purchase until serving to potentially vulnerable people in care homes, acute hospitals, handicapped institutions, and crèches (i.e. nurseries). In 94% of the institutions shell eggs are consumed at a weekly average of 1.1 ± 0.3 eggs for each person. In 52% of the institutions egg products are used. The shell eggs are held on average at 6.4C for 1–2 weeks. The questionnaire listed a series of egg dishes, which were classified afterwards in three risk categories. Of the high-risk dishes, shell eggs are particularly used for addition to mashed potatoes, for preparing soft-boiled eggs and eggs sunny-side-up and for inclusion in hot sauces. Of the medium-risk dishes, shell eggs are used for preparing scrambled eggs and omelets. When egg products are bought next to shell eggs, relatively less high-risk dishes and more low-risk dishes on the total dishes were made from shell eggs. Thus, egg products are purchased on a rational base. The distribution of storage temperature, storage time and preparation frequency of high-risk meals were combined using a Monte Carlo resampling technique, which indicated that the majority of the samples (98.5%) fell into a low-hazard category.     

Occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in raw and ready-to-eat foods and in a Canadian food service operation

The occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in a variety of foods from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and raw milk samples from across Canada was determined over a 2-year period. The samples consisted of 55 raw foods (chicken, pork, and beef), 126 raw milk samples from raw milk cheese manufacturers, and 135 ready-to-eat foods (meat products, salads, and raw milk cheeses). Campylobacter jejuni was detected in 4 of the 316 samples analyzed: 1 raw beef liver sample and 3 raw chicken samples. An isolation rate of 9.7% was observed among the raw chicken samples tested. This study also investigated the role of cross-contamination in disseminating Campylobacter from raw poultry within a food service operation specializing in poultry dishes. Accordingly, kitchen surfaces within a restaurant in Ottawa, Ontario, were sampled between March and August 2001. Tests of the sampling method indicated that as few as 100 Campylobacter cells could be detected if sampling was done within 45 min of inoculation; however, Campylobacter spp. were not detected in 125 swabs of surfaces within the kitchens of this food service operation. Despite the reported high prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in raw poultry, this organism was not detected on surfaces within a kitchen of a restaurant specializing in poultry dishes.     

Dietary intake and clinical response of hospitalized patients with acute diarrhea

BACKGROUND: Diarrhea and malnutrition remain major health problems among children of developing countries. During diarrhea, the patient's dietary intake and absorption of nutrients are reduced while nutritional requirements are increased. OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between food intake and clinical response during the hospital stay of patients with acute diarrhea. METHODS: A hospital-based longitudinal study was conducted in 118 patients with acute diarrhea aged 6 to 59 months who required treatment for at least 3 days in the in-patient ward in Dhaka Hospital of the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR, B). Daily food intake was measured and anthropometric measurements were taken to assess nutritional status. Daily stool weight and clinical records were collected. The data were analyzed with SPSS/PC+, version 10, and EPI STAT, version 3.2.2. RESULTS: The duration of diarrhea was 50% greater in patients with lower energy intake (less than 50% of the recommended dietary allowance [RDA]) than in those with higher energy intake (6 vs. 4 days, p = <.001). Patients with lower energy intake had 22% greater stool output than those with higher energy intake (122.65 vs. 100.37 mL/kg body weight/day, p = .04). Among patients with lower energy intake, the weight-for-age and weight-for-height z-scores (WAZ and WHZ) at discharge from the hospital were higher than those at admission (-3.53 +/- 1.25 vs. -3.67 +/- 1.31 and 1.95 +/- 1.23 vs. -2.14 +/- 1.22, respectively; p = .001 for both comparisons), but these scores did not differ at admission and discharge among patients with higher energy intake. The Kaplan-Meier survival function showed that 80% of well-nourished children (WAZ > or = -2), as compared with 58% of malnourished children (WAZ < -2), recovered by the 4th day of treatment (p < .01). The length of the recovery period was related negatively with total energy intake (p = < .001) and mid-upper-arm circumference (p = .004) and positively with stool weight. CONCLUSIONS: Food intake was reduced in the hospitalized children because of severe illness. Patients with lower energy intake as a percentage of RDA had delayed clinical recovery and higher stool output.     

嘉兴地区网络订餐食品安全调查与研究

目的 通过调查与取样对嘉兴地区网络订餐食品的安全情况进行分析和评估。方法 采取随机问卷调查的形式对市民网络订餐情况进行调查。根据调查结果针对食品安全风险较高的小龙虾和凉菜进行集中抽样检测, 重点检测微生物、重金属和寄生虫等指标, 并对检测结果进行分析。结果 抽取活小龙虾10批, 进行寄生虫和重金属检测。虾鳃、虾黄、虾肉、虾肠均未检出寄生虫, 虾鳃、虾黄、虾肉重金属检测结果均合格, 其中1批样品虾黄中镉含量接近国家标准限值。抽取熟小龙虾10批, 进行微生物检测, 结果均合格。抽取凉菜60批, 进行微生物检测, 其中菌落总数超标6批, 大肠埃希氏菌超标8批, 金黄色葡萄球菌超标1批。结论 嘉兴地区网络订餐食品安全性总体可靠。小龙虾存在重金属污染风险, 凉菜类食品微生物污染风险较高, 应引起监管部门的重视, 加强监督执法力度。     

Promotion of the feeding minds and fighting hunger initiative in selected rural schools in Andhra Pradesh, India

BACKGROUND: Schoolchildren are good agents of change and need to be educated and sensitized to specific issues of hunger and malnutrition through a question-and-answer process. Feeding Minds and Fighting Hunger (FMFH), a global project initiated by the Food and Agriculture Organization and partner organizations, attempts to help schoolchildren learn about these issues by introducing concepts in the prevention of hunger and malnutrition to teachers, and by facilitating transfer of knowledge to the children through a set of model lessons. OBJECTIVE: To test the feasibility of the FMFH approach to improve the nutrition knowledge of rural schoolchildren in three rural schools in Medak District of the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. METHODS: Participatory workshops for teachers were conducted to facilitate knowledge transfer to the children through interactive classroom teaching and other activities. The change in knowledge and thinking of children in the seventh and eighth grades was assessed by a ques- tionnaire administered before and after the intervention. The questionnaire also assessed, in part, the status of local food security based on the sources of different food items in the households. RESULTS: The responses to the questionnaire suggested that the children's knowledge of nutrients and their functions was not good initially but improved after the intervention. However, their understanding of the social factors responsible for hunger and malnutrition was fairly good prior to the intervention. Improvement in responses to the question of what should be done to combat malnutrition also occurred after intervention. The community had village-level food security for rice and maize but depended partially or fully on outside sources for pulses, fruits and vegetables, and animal products. CONCLUSIONS: The FMFH approach can be applied in rural schools where "the poorest of the poor" children can improve their understanding of balanced diets, better nutrition, the causes of malnutrition, and approaches to combat malnutrition.     

Human exposure to PBDEs: associations of PBDE body burdens with food consumption and house dust concentrations

This study was designed to determine the body burden of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) among first-time mothers in the Greater Boston, Massachusetts area and to explore key routes of exposure. We collected breast milk samples from 46 first-time mothers, 2-8 weeks after birth. We also sampled house dust from the homes of a subset of participants by vacuuming commonly used areas. Data on personal characteristics, diet, home furniture, and electrical devices were gathered from each participant using a questionnaire. Breast milk and dust samples were analyzed for PBDEs using gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry. PBDE concentrations were log-normally distributed in breast milk and dust. We found statistically significant, positive associations between PBDE concentrations in breast milk and house dust (r = 0.76, p = 0.003, not including BDE-209), as well as with reported dietary habits, particularly the consumption of dairy products (r = 0.41, p = 0.005) and meat (r = 0.37, p = 0.01). Due to low detection rates, it was not possible to draw conclusions about the association between BDE-209 in milk and dust. Our results support the hypothesis that the indoor environment and diet both play prominent roles in adult human exposure to PBDEs.     

A prospective study of food preferences in childhood

This study has evaluated the impact of food choices at 2–3 years old on food preferences later in life, by following up the same subjects. Early preferences were estimated through recordings of food choices conducted in a nursery canteen in children aged 2–3, from 1982 to 1999. The children were free to choose the composition of their lunch from among a varied offering of eight dishes. The same subjects (n=341) were contacted in 2001–2002 and so their ages varied from 17–22 (n=91), 13–16 (n=68), 8–12 (n=99) to 4–7 (n=83). Their present preference for the 80 foods most frequently presented at the nursery canteen was assessed through a questionnaire. Five food categories were studied: vegetables, animal products, cheeses, starchy foods and combined foods. The ranking of preference for the different food categories changed especially after puberty. However, regressions performed by food category indicated that for most categories, individual present preference was highly linked to individual preference at 2–3 years old. The link was the stronger for cheeses, followed to a lesser extent by animal products and vegetables. Present preferences increased with age for vegetables and they decreased with age for animal products only in females (to a lesser extent, they decreased with age for starchy foods and cheeses). Analyses by specific foods confirmed the global analysis. Individual present preference was linked to individual early preference for all mature cheeses and for 50% of the foods for other categories: most of these items were strongly flavoured. This study showed that preferences were stable from 2- to 3-year-old until young adulthood and that some changes in preference occurred during adolescence.