Analysis of Norwegian milk and infant formulas for ochratoxin A

Samples of organic cow's milk, conventional cow's milk, and cow's milk-based infant formulas were analysed for the occurrence of ochratoxin A by means of an HPLC method. The detection limit was 10ng/l. Ochratoxin A was detected in 6 out of 40 conventional cow's milk samples (range 11-58ng/l) , and in 5 out of 47 organic milk samples (range 15-28ng/l) . No ochratoxin A was detected in any of the 20 infant formula samples. The ochratoxin A levels in cow's milk found in this investigation are sufficient to cause a higher intake of ochratoxin A than the suggested TDI of 5ng/kg bw/ day, e.g. in small children who consume large quantities of milk.     

Lead and cadmium levels in commercial infant foods and dietary intake by infants 0-1 year old

Lead and cadmium levels were determined in 131 infant foods. Mean lead and cadmium levels were 19.3 and 3.3 ng/g for meats, 8.4 and 4.1 ng/g for vegetables, 14.9 and 0.58 ng/g for fruits and desserts, 9.6 and 0.53 ng/g for juices and drinks, and 32.8 and 33.6 ng/g for dry infant cereals. These data, combined with those from other recent surveys, yielded average dietary (food and water) intakes of lead and cadmium by infants 0-1 year old of 2.4 and 0.37 microgram/kg/day, respectively. Lead intakes were most strongly influenced by storage of infant formulas in lead-soldered cans. For infants 0-1 month old, they ranged from 0.5 microgram/kg/day when human or cow milk was fed to infants to 5.3 micrograms/kg/day (exceeding the FAO/WHO provisional tolerable daily intake, PTWI, of lead by children of 3.5 micrograms/kg) when ready-to-use formula stored in lead-soldered cans was fed. Cadmium intakes were most strongly affected by soya based formulas, and ranged, for 0-1 months olds, from 0.16 microgram/kg/day for infants fed human or cow milk to 0.50 microgram/kg/day for infants fed soya-based concentrated liquid formula. Cadmium intakes were all below the FAO/WHO PTDI of cadmium by adults of 0.96-1.2 micrograms/kg.     

Determination of mineral contents in different kinds of milk and estimation of dietary intake in infants.

Concentrations of 11 minerals were determined in six kinds of milk (cow's milk-based formulae, breast-milk, soya milk, bottled milk, dried milk and evaporated milk). The contents of copper, magnesium, molybdenum, aluminium, barium and nickel were higher in soya milk than in any other kinds of milk. Except for nickel in soya milk, the dietary intakes of minerals were below or close to the intake recommended by the FAO/WHO.     

Content and Bioaccessibility of Aluminium in Duplicate Diets from Southern Spain

Aluminium is found naturally in foods and beverages, but levels increase notably during processing, packaging, storage, and cooking, as a consequence of its presence in food additives and the wide use of aluminium utensils and vessels. Dietary intake of Al was estimated in 2 population groups in southern Spain (families and university students) in a duplicate diet sampling study. Diets were sampled for 7 consecutive days, and Al was determined in acid‐mineralized samples with electrothermal atomization‐atomic absorption spectrometry (ETA‐AAS). Mean values for Al intake were 2.93 and 1.01 mg/d in families and students, respectively, ranging from 0.12 to 10.00 mg/d. Assuming an average adult weight of 60 kg, the mean dietary exposures to aluminium were 0.34 and 0.12 mg/kg body weight/week in these groups, which amounted to 17% and 6% of the 2 mg/kg body weight estimated as the tolerable weekly intake by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. Bioaccessibility of dietary Al tested with in vitro studies ranged from 0.30 to 17.26% (absorbable fraction). The highest aluminium intakes were observed in subjects consuming diets with a low adherence to the Mediterranean diet, which were associated to high consumption of processed and canned food. On the contrary, subjects consuming diets with a high adherence to the Mediterranean diet patterns showed the lowest Al intakes. The present findings are useful for giving both a reliable estimate of total aluminium dietary intake and tolerable intake levels according to usual dietary habits.     

Performance of Calves Fed Milk Replacer Once Daily at Various Fluid Intakes and Dry Matter Concentrations

Ninety-six Holstein calves were fed 1 of 12 liquid diets once daily under two feeding options. Diets consisted of milk replacer (22% crude protein, 10% fat) fed at fluid intakes of 6, 8, and 10% body weight and dry matter concentrations of 10, 13, 16, and 19%. Feeding options consisted of calculating fluid intake and dry matter concentration based on initial weight and holding this constant through weaning or adjusting weekly according to change in body weight. Water and a complete calf starter (minimum 15% crude protein) were available ad libitum. Calves were weaned abruptly at 4 wk of age and observed until 6 wk of age for immediate postweaning performance. Fluid intake and dry matter concentration had a positive effect on weight gain during wk 0 to 4. However, during the immediate postweaning period, gain decreased in calves previously fed replacer at the higher intake. Overall gain (wk 0 to 6) was not affected by fluid intake or dry matter concentration. Starter intake decreased with increasing fluid intake or dry matter concentration during wk 4 and wk 0 to 4. Total intakes of dry matter were not affected by treatment. Incidence of scours increased linearly with dry matter concentration, and both fluid intake and dry matter concentration had a positive linear effect on fecal score and duration of scours. Feeding option had no effect on any measures. Calves fed replacer containing between 10 and 13% dry matter and offered at 8% body weight had fewer intestinal disturbances during the replacer feeding period and obtained recommended gains over the entire 6 wk.     

Dietary intakes of lead, cadmium, arsenic and fluoride by Canadian adults: a 24-hour duplicate diet study

Twenty-four hour duplicate diets, including drinking water and snacks, were collected from 24 adults living in five Canadian cities. Each diet was separated by the participants into 10 food categories, and each of the samples was analyzed in duplicate for lead, cadmium, arsenic and fluoride. Minimum detection limits for the respective elements in foods were about 0.1, 0.01, 0.3 and 5 ng/g. Mean dietary intakes were 53.8 micrograms/day or 0.80 micrograms/kg/day for lead, 13.8 micrograms/day or 0.21 micrograms/kg/day for cadmium, and 16.7 micrograms/day or 0.26 micrograms/kg/day for arsenic. The median intakes were 42.7 micrograms/day or 0.57 mu/kg/day for lead, 11.9 micrograms/day or 0.17 micrograms/kg/day for cadmium, and 9.79 micrograms/day or 0.139 micrograms/kg/day for arsenic. Half of the participants lived in communities with 1 microgram/g fluoride in the drinking water, and half lived in cities with less than 0.2 microgram/g fluoride in the water. The dietary intake of fluoride for the former was 2802 micrograms/day or 39.7 micrograms/kg/day; while that of the latter was 563 micrograms/day or 8.5 micrograms/kg/day. The respective median intakes of fluoride were 2090 micrograms/day or 30.3 micrograms/kg/day, and 414 micrograms/day or 7.0 micrograms/kg/day. Contribution of individual foods and food categories to the dietary intakes is discussed.     

Dietary intake of pesticide residues: cadmium, mercury, and lead.

Information on the dietary intake of chemical contaminants has been obtained from institutions participating in GEMS/Food. Contaminants studied include certain organochlorine and organophosphorous pesticides, PCBs, cadmium, mercury, and lead. The intakes are compared with toxicologically acceptable intake levels established by international expert groups. In most cases, dietary intakes of organochlorine and organophosphorous pesticides are well below the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of the respective pesticide. Of some 21 countries providing information on the average dietary intake of cadmium, only in one case is the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) exceeded. Several countries identified cereals and cereal products and root and tuber vegetables as the main contributors to the dietary intake of cadmium. For mercury, all reported intakes are below the PTWI of methylmercury. The contribution of fish to the total intake of mercury varied from 20% to 85%, depending on the country. Therefore, the general assumption that fish is the main contributor to the total dietary intake of mercury may, at times, not be justified. Average dietary intake of lead exceeding or approaching the PTWI are reported for adults and infants and children in some countries. Foodstuffs which contribute most to the intake of lead vary from country to country, and have been identified as being alternately drinking water, beverages, cereals, vegetables and fruit.     

Measuring residual feed intake in dairy heifers fed an alfalfa (Medicago sativa) cube diet

Selection for divergence between individuals for efficiency of feed utilization (residual feed intake, RFI) has widespread application in the beef industry and is usually undertaken when animals are fed diets based on silages with grain. The objective of this research was to develop a feeding system (using Gallagher, Hamilton, New Zealand, electronics) to measure RFI for growth in Holstein-Friesian heifers (aged 5-9 mo), and identify divergent individuals to be tested for RFI during lactation. A dry forage diet (alfalfa cubes) was fed because intakes could be measured accurately, and the New Zealand dairy industry (4.4 million milking cows in lactation) relies heavily on forage feeding. The evaluation was undertaken over 3 yr with 1,052 animals fed in a facility for 7 wk, and weighed 3 times weekly. The mean age at the start of measurements was 215 d, body weight (BW) 189 kg, and mean daily dry matter intakes averaged 6.7 kg. Body weight gain (all animals) averaged 0.88 kg/d. The RFI was determined as the residuals from the regression of mean intake on mean BW(0.75) and daily BW gain of individuals. Actual and fitted intakes were strongly related (R(2) = 0.82). In terms of gross efficiency (feed intake/BW gain), RFI+year explained 43% of the variation, BW gain+year explained 66%, and RFI+BW gain+year explained 79% of the variation (all P<0.001). Daily BW gains (kg) of the most and least efficient 10% averaged (± standard deviation) 0.88 ± 0.15 and 0.88 ± 0.12 (P = 0.568), respectively, and the divergence between mean intakes was 1.46 kg of dry matter/d. The most and least efficient animals will be tested for RFI during lactation and genetic markers will be identified for the trait.     

Comparison of 3-breed rotational crossbreds of Montbéliarde,Viking Red,and Holstein with Holstein cows fed 2 alternative diets for dry matter intake,production, and residual feed intake

The objective of this study was to compare 3-breed rotational crossbred (CB) cows of the Montbéliarde, Viking Red, and Holstein (HO) breeds with HO cows fed 2 alternative diets for dry matter intake (DMI), fat plus protein production (CFP), body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), feed efficiency, and residual feed intake (RFI) from 46 to 150 days in milk (DIM) during first lactation. The CB cows (n = 17) and HO cows (n = 19) calved from September 2019 to March 2020. Cows were fed either a traditional total mixed ration diet (TRAD) or a higher fiber, lower starch total mixed ration diet (HFLS). The HFLS had 21% more corn silage, 47% more alfalfa hay, 44% less corn grain, and 43% less corn gluten feed than the TRAD. The 2 diets were analyzed for dry matter content, crude protein, forage digestibility, starch, and net energy for lactation. The BW and BCS were recorded once weekly. Daily milk, fat, and protein production were estimated from twice monthly milk recording with random regression. Measures of efficiency were CFP per kilogram of DMI and DMI per kilogram of BW. The RFI from 46 to 150 DIM was the residual error from regression of DMI on milk energy, metabolic BW, and the energy required for change in BW. Statistical analysis of all variables included the fixed effects of diet, breed group, and the interaction of diet and breed group. The CB cows fed HFLS had less DMI (?12%) and lower DMI/BW (?14%) compared with the HO cows fed TRAD. For CFP, CB and HO cows were not different when fed TRAD or HFLS. Furthermore, the CB cows fed HFLS had higher BW (+50 kg) compared with HO cows fed HFLS. The CB cows fed TRAD had higher BCS than HO cows fed TRAD and HO cows fed HFLS (+0.46 and +0.62, respectively). The HO cows fed TRAD had more DMI (+14%) and lower CFP per kilogram of DMI (?12%) compared with the HO cows fed HFLS. In addition, mean RFI from 46 to 150 DIM was lower and more desirable for CB cows fed HFLS (?120.0 kg) compared with HO cows fed TRAD (85.3 kg). Dairy producers may feed either TRAD or HFLS to CB cows without loss of CFP.     

Survey of the daily intake of nitrate and nitrite in school children by the duplicate portion method

The daily intake of nitrate and nitrite in school children (n = 100) in Hiroshima Prefecture was estimated directly by the duplicate portion method. The daily intake of nitrate was 68.42 +/- 77.49 mg. The daily intake of nitrate/kg body weight was 2.06 +/- 2.24 mg, which is about 56% of the acceptable daily intake (ADI). The daily intake of nitrite was 0.953 +/- 0.869 mg. The daily intake of nitrite/kg body weight was 0.027 +/- 0.021 mg, which is about 45% of the ADI. The daily intake of nitrite/kg body weight was significantly different between the obese group and the non-obese group in boys (p < 0.05, Mann-Whitney U-test). The rates of children whose daily intakes of nitrate and nitrite were above the ADI were 16% and 7%, respectively.     

Dietary intakes of some essential and non-essential trace elements, nitrate, nitrite and N-nitrosamines, by Dutch adults: estimated via a 24-hour duplicate portion study

Duplicate portions of 24-hour diets of 110 adults have been analyzed for aluminium, cadmium, copper, lead, manganese, mercury, zinc, nitrate, nitrite and volatile N-nitrosamines. The mean daily intake of copper (1.2 mg) is only about 50% of recommended values; mean daily intakes for manganese (3.3 mg) and zinc (8.4 mg) are adequate and marginal respectively with respect to recommended amounts. For the non-essential elements Al, Cd, Hg and Pb, mean daily intakes of 3.1 mg, 0.01 mg, 0.002 mg and 0.034 mg were found, respectively. For Cd this amounts to 17% of the acceptable daily amount, for Al, Hg and Pb 5%, 5% and 8%, respectively. Since 1976-1978 the dietary intake of lead has been reduced by a factor three; for the other six elements daily dietary intakes are almost the same as in 1976-1978. Average nitrate intake was 52 mg NO3-/day, about 25% of the ADI. Only 16 diets contained a measurable amount of nitrite. The highest daily intake (0.7 mg NO2-) is less than 10% of the ADI. Volatile N-nitrosamines were detectable in two duplicate diets (NDMA and NPIP). It is estimated that the daily dietary intake of volatile N-nitrosamines is around 0.1 microgram or less.     

The effects of feeding medium-chain triglycerides on the growth, insulin responsiveness, and body composition of Holstein calves from birth to 85 kg of body weight

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of feeding calves isocaloric, isonitrogenous diets that varied in the amount and type of fatty acids on growth, response to an insulin challenge, and body composition. Thirty-six calves were assigned to a randomized block design with 3 dietary treatments, 10 calves per treatment, and a baseline group of 6 calves. Three different milk-replacer-based diets were designed to deliver less than 2% of the lipid as medium-chain triglycerides (control; diet contained no added medium-chain triglycerides), 32% medium-chain triglycerides primarily as caprylate (CAP oil), and 32% of fatty acids primarily as laurate from coconut oil (CCO). Calves were offered 0.28 Mcal of intake energy/kg of body weight (BW)^0.75 from d 1 to 7 and 0.32 Mcal of intake energy/kg of BW^0.75 adjusted weekly for BW from d 8 to harvest. Dry matter, intake energy, crude protein, and fat intakes were 53.7 kg, 281.8 Mcal, 14.6 kg, and 13.0 kg; 56.6 kg, 297.2 Mcal, 15.8 kg, and 14.2 kg; and 53.8 kg, 280.4 Mcal, 15.4 kg, and 13.3 kg for the control, CAP oil, and CCO treatments, respectively. Dry matter, energy, protein, and fat intakes did not differ among treatments. At approximately 65 kg of BW, 5 calves per treatment were given an insulin challenge. After the challenge the decrease in plasma glucose concentration was greater for the calves fed the CAP oil diet compared with those fed the control and CCO diets. Calves were harvested at approximately 88 kg of BW. Empty body gains were 0.92, 0.79, and 0.87 kg/d for control-, CAP oil-, and CCO-fed calves, respectively, and the gains of the CAP oil-fed calves were less than those of the control-fed calves. Empty body crude protein, ash, and water were not different among treatments. Empty body retained energy and fat tended to be 5.6 and 8.7% greater for calves consuming the CCO diet than for those fed the control diet. The livers of calves consuming the CCO diet were 330 g heavier and contained 15% more fat than the livers of the control and CAP oil calves. The results of this study demonstrate that the energy demand of the calf to maintain body temperature resulted in increased oxidation of intake energy; thus, overall body composition differences could not be detected. However, the intake of CCO increased the accumulation of lipid in the liver and carcass despite the apparent cold stress conditions.     

Comparison of feeding diets diluted with sorghum-sudangrass silage or low-quality grass on nutrient intake and digestibility and growth performance of Holstein dairy heifers

This study was carried out to evaluate the nutrient intakes and growth of dairy heifers offered an alfalfa silage–corn silage diet (CON; 14.3% crude protein, 61.1% total digestible nutrients, 47.9% neutral detergent fiber) compared with diets containing 1 of 2 types of sorghum-sudangrass (SS) silages: conventional or photoperiod sensitive. The objective of the study was to determine the potential to use SS to control dry matter (DM) and nutrient intakes and weight gain. Both diets were similar in nutrient composition, with approximately 13% crude protein, 60 to 61% total digestible nutrients, and 55% neutral detergent fiber. Seventy-two Holstein heifers (16–18 mo at study initiation) were blocked by initial body weight (light = 422 ± 12.8 kg; medium = 455 ± 14.8 kg; heavy = 489 ± 16.7 kg) with 3 pens assigned to each weight block (8 heifers/pen; 24 heifers/block). The 3 diets were randomly allocated to the pens within each block and offered for 12 wk. Heifers offered the CON diet had greater DM, protein, and energy intakes compared with those offered the SS silage-based diets due to the greater neutral detergent fiber concentration of the SS diets. With lower DM and nutrient intakes, average daily gain was in the recommended range (0.8–1 kg/d for Holstein heifers) for heifers offered the SS silage-based diets (mean of 0.92 kg/d for both SS diets vs. 1.11 kg/d for CON). Sorting behaviors for heifers offered both SS diets were more aggressive against long, medium, and short particles compared with those of heifers offered the CON diet; however, heifers sorted large particles from photoperiod-sensitive silage more aggressively than those from conventional silage. Based on this study, SS silage-based diets can control the DM and energy intakes for heifers and maintain optimum growth rates, with harvesting at a shorter chop length likely helping to alleviate sorting issues.     

Mercury, arsenic, lead and cadmium in fish and shellfish from the Adriatic Sea

The aim was to measure concentrations of total mercury, total arsenic, lead and cadmium in common edible fresh fish and shellfish from various areas of the Adriatic Sea. Estimates of intake of these elements were made through seafood consumption by the general population. Samples were either wet digested for mercury and arsenic, or dry ashed for lead and cadmium analysis. Mercury was measured by cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry (CV AAS) and arsenic, lead and cadmium by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ET AAS). Quality control procedures of analytical methods, which included analyses of dogfish muscle-certified reference material DORM-2, confirmed the acceptability of methods. The highest mercury and arsenic concentrations were found in hake ( Merluccius merluccius ) and the lowest in mackerel ( Scomber scombrus ). The respective values in hake were 0.373 ±0.075 and 23.3 ±3.6, and in mackerel 0.153 ±0.028 and 1.06 ±0.29 mg kg -1 fresh weight (mean ±SD). Lead and cadmium concentrations were about 10 times higher in shellfish than in analysed fish. The highest lead and cadmium concentrations were found in mussel ( Mytilus galloprovincialis ) and the lowest in hake. Respective lead and cadmium values in mussel were 0.150 ±0.009 and 0.142 ±0.017, and in hake were 0.007 ±0.004 and 0.002 ±0.001 mg kg -1 fresh weight. The concentrations of analysed elements were below acceptable levels for human consumption set by the Croatian Ministry of Health, except for total arsenic. The estimated intake of those trace elements included in this study through seafood consumption by the general population did not exceed the provisional tolerable weekly intake recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives.     

Measured consumption of tap water in German infants and young children as background for potential health risk assessments: data of the DONALD Study.

Contaminated tap water can become a health risk, e.g. by metals or environmental pollution particularly for sensitive population groups such as infants and young children. There is a lack of data on exactly measured water intake. In the DONALD Study, individual food and fluid intakes were measured by use of 3-day weighed diet records. Here we report on the distribution of individual intakes of tap water in 504 healthy normally nourished subjects aged 3-36 months (1962 diet records) between 1990 and 1998. We calculate scenarios for potential tap water contamination. Tap water intake per kg body weight was significantly higher in formula-fed (FF) infants than in breast-fed (BF) infants. The estimated median intake of lead and nitrate per kg body weight from tap water was higher in FF infants than in BF infants or mixed fed (MF) young children. The scenarios based on intakes at the median, P95 or maximums show that higher risks for exceeding the presently existing maximums could be expected in FF infants. Our data could also be used for estimations of potential risks from other contaminants of tap water.     

江西省市售婴幼儿配方谷粉中镉的污染现状及对策分析

目的 对江西省各地市售婴幼儿配方谷粉中镉的污染情况进行调查研究, 分析原因并提出控制措施。方法 采用GB 5009.15-2014石墨炉原子吸收法, 对江西省食品检验检测研究院2018年受检的299份婴幼儿配方谷粉进行镉含量检测, 检测结果依据卫健委发布的婴幼儿谷物辅助食品镉临时限量值≤0.06 mg/kg进行评价。结果 299份样本中超出国家临时限量值的有78份, 总超标率26.1%, 公告发布前后镉超标率分别占37.1%和2.13%。结论 公告发布后江西省市售婴幼儿配方谷粉中镉含量总体趋势向好, 但仍应加强市场监管, 严格控制不合格食品流入市场, 确保婴幼儿饮食安全。     

Effects of feeding alfalfa stemlage or wheat straw for dietary energy dilution on nutrient intake and digestibility,growth performance,and feeding behavior of Holstein dairy heifers

Feeding high-quality forage diets may lead to excessive weight gains and over-conditioning for dairy heifers. Restriction of energy density and dry matter intake by using low-energy forages, such as straw, is a good approach for controlling this problem. Alfalfa stems contain high fiber and moderate protein content and have the potential to be used to replace straw to reduce dietary energy. The objective of this study was to compare nutrient intakes, digestibilities, growth performance, and feeding behaviors of dairy heifers offered an alfalfa silage/corn silage high-energy diet (HE; 13.1% crude protein, 65.4% total digestible nutrients, 39.7% neutral detergent fiber) with 2 energy-diluted diets that replaced various proportions of the corn or alfalfa silages with either alfalfa stemlage (STM; 12.6% crude protein, 59.1% total digestible nutrients, 46.4% neutral detergent fiber) or chopped wheat straw (WS; 12.6% crude protein, 61.9% total digestible nutrients, 43.7% neutral detergent fiber). Seventy-two pregnant Holstein heifers (16.8 ± 1.3 mo) were stratified into 3 blocks (24 heifers/block) by initial body weight (light, 440 ± 18.0 kg; medium, 486 ± 18.6 kg; heavy, 534 ± 25.1 kg), with each block composed of 3 pens (8 heifers/pen), with diets assigned randomly to 1 pen within the block. Diets were offered in a 56-d feeding trial. Both dry matter intake and energy intake were decreased with the addition of low-energy forages to the diets, but no differences in dry matter intake were observed across diluted diets. Digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and apparent N were greater for HE compared with diluted diets, and for WS compared with STM. Total body weight gain (74 vs. 56 kg) and average daily gain (1.32 vs. 1.00 kg/d) were greater for heifers offered HE compared with diluted diets. Feed efficiency tended to be less for heifers offered the diluted diets compared with HE (10.7 vs. 8.6 kg of feed/kg of gain). Heifers did not sort for or against particles when offered HE. However, increased sorting behavior was observed for diluted diets. Compared with ad libitum feeding dairy heifers a diet with high nutrient content forages (corn silage and alfalfa silage), use of diet diluted with alfalfa stemlage or wheat straw is an effective feeding management strategy to control total daily dry matter and energy intake by increasing gut fill, and maintain desirable body condition and growth rates, even though the diluted diets had greater sortability.     

Three or two times daily milking of older cows and first lactation cows for entire lactations

Thirty-eight older (second and greater lactation) and 15 Holstein cows in first lactation were in a full lactation (44 wk) study to evaluate the effect of either twice or three times daily milking on yield of milk and milk components, milk composition, feed intake, and body weight change. All cows were managed alike and were fed diets of high, medium, and low energy concentration as lactation progressed from calving to 44 wk. First lactation cows were switched from diets of high energy to lower energy at the same milk production as lactation advanced. Dietary changes for older cows milked twice and three times (A) were at similar production, whereas three times (B) cows were switched to lower energy at higher milk production. Older cows milked three times daily (A and B) produced 17 and 13% more milk over the entire lactation than cows milked twice daily. Dry matter and energy intakes were not affected by three times milking, but gain of body weight was reduced. Cows milked three times daily during their first lactation produced 6% more milk than their twice counterparts, although this increase was not significant. Dry matter and energy intakes were not affected by three times daily milking, but three times milking of first lactation cows reduced weight gain over the lactation. Reproductive performance of cows milked three times daily was not significantly different from cows milked twice daily. Herds milking three times will require high management of nutrition and reproduction.     

Packaged food intake by British children aged 0 to 6 years

The European Union approach to assessing exposure to chemical migrants from plastic food-contact materials has been to assume an intake of 1 kg of food in contact with a particular material, per 60 kg person per day, which equates to 16.7 g kg^?1 body weight. A food packaging surface area–food mass ratio of 6 dm²/1 kg is assumed, equivalent to 0.1 dm² kg^?1 of body weight. Children might be at increased risk to exposure from migrants as they have higher intakes of food per kg body weight compared with adults. In addition, much of the food marketed for/to children is in small portions and therefore the food-contact material area–food mass ratio is relatively high. To determine if, and how, the European Union model might be modified to ensure specific protection against chemical migration into food marketed for children, data on 4-day food intakes of 297 children aged 0–6 years were collected including information on pack size, pack type and food-contact material area–food mass ratio. The 297 children consumed a total of 1646 kg of food and drink (including tap water), of which 978 kg (59%) was packaged with 67% of this packaged in plastics. Mean intakes of food packaged in plastic ranged from 27 g kg^?1 body weight (for the infants under 1 year) to 51 g kg^?1 body weight (for the 1–4-year-olds). This was higher than the 16.7 g kg^?1 body weight derived from the European Union convention. The mean area of packaging in contact with the food consumed daily per kg body weight were 0.65 dm² kg^?1 for the infants under 1 year, 0.81 dm² kg^?1 for the 1–4-year-olds, and 0.66 dm² kg^?1 for the 4–6-year-olds. All 297 children had intakes that exceeded 0.1 dm² of packaging per kg of body weight assumption.     

Nitrate, nitrite, and N-nitroso compounds in Finnish foods and the estimation of the dietary intakes

An estimate of the dietary intakes of nitrite, nitrate and N-nitroso compounds is presented, based on the analytical data supplied by the Finnish Food Quality Control. Figures on the food consumption of the Finnish population, taken from a national dietary survey, and food consumption of 1768 children and adolescents over a 48-h recall period were used. The mean daily dietary nitrate intakes were estimated to be about 55 mg for the total population and for children and adolescents. The mean nitrite intakes were 1.88 mg for the total population and 1.07 mg for children and adolescents. The intake of N-nitroso compounds (NDMA) was estimated to be 0.08 micrograms for the total population and 0.02 micrograms for children. Nitrates were found to originate mainly from vegetables (80%), nitrites from meat products (97%) and nitrosamines mostly from fish products and beer. A comparison of the estimate of dietary intake of with ADI values indicated that the nitrite intake of the total population was 23% and by children 39% of ADI. The average weight was approximately 60 kg for adults and 20 kg for children. When measured average weight (39 kg) was used, and the nitrite intake was found to be 28% of ADI. Nitrate intakes from food additives were 2.5% and 1.4% of the ADI value, respectively. When the total nitrate intake from various food sources was compared with the ADI (which is given only for food additives), the estimated nitrate intake of the total population was 25% and that of children 28% of the ADI value.