Average total dietary intakes of organochlorine compounds from the Finnish diet

As a contribution to the FAO/WHO organochlorine monitoring programme, samples of milk, eggs, beef pork, chops, game, animal livers as well as fish-liver oils were analysed for PCB-, DDT- and toxaphene compounds, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), heptachlor and hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCH). From the annual consumption of the foodstuffs investigated average intakes of organochlorines were estimated and compared with the acceptable daily intakes (ADI) as set by FAO/WHO. Intakes from the sources studied were then compared with those from fish, butter and margarine. Total average dietary intakes were determined to be 14.4 micrograms/day for PCB, 2.9 for DDT, 2,3 for gamma-HCH, 1.7 for HCB, and 0.5 micrograms/day for heptachlor representing 0.08% of the ADI for DDT, 0.3% for HCH, 4.2% for HCB and 1.4% of the ADI for heptachlor.     

Relationships between elemental intakes within the United Kingdom total diet study and other adult dietary studies

Elemental concentrations from the UK total diet study reflecting the contents of foodstuffs of the diet and their preparation have been compared with the elemental concentration of the study reflecting the contents of the foodstuffs alone. A relationship is defined for a group of elements for which intake concentrations are constant from both studies. A second group is composed of elements for which there are sources other than foods, eg., from food processing, food preparation or from adventitious contact. The defined relationship enables the results from any subsequent adult dietary study to be assessed in terms of the dietary concentration of elements and this is exemplified by a control duplicate diet study.     

Dietary exposure to organochlorine pesticide residues of the Hong Kong adult population from a total diet study

Dietary exposure of the Hong Kong adult population to organochlorine pesticide (OCP) residues was estimated using a total diet study (TDS) approach. OCPs listed under the Stockholm Convention as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) including, aldrin, dieldrin, chlordane, chlordecone, dichlorodiphenyltricholroethane (DDT), endosulfan, endrin, heptachlor, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), α-hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCH), β-HCH, lindane, mirex, pentachlorobenzene and toxaphene, were studied. Out of 600 composite samples, 55% contained one or more OCP residues at detectable levels. The most commonly detected OCP was DDT (32% of all composite samples), followed by HCB (30%) and endosulfan (22%). The lower- and upper-bound mean exposure estimates of OCP residues ranged from 0% to 0.5% and were 0.1–8.4% of their respective health-based guidance values (HBGVs). The lower- and upper-bound 95th percentile exposure estimates ranged from 0% to 1.2% and were 0.1–13.6% of their respective HBGVs. This indicated that dietary exposures to the OCP residues analysed would be unlikely to pose unacceptable health risks to Hong Kong adults.     

Occurrence of mycotoxins in feedstuffs of dairy cows and estimation of total dietary intakes

A survey was conducted to determine the occurrence of mycotoxins in feedstuffs of dairy cows in the Netherlands and to estimate total dietary intakes of these compounds. Twenty-four dairy farms were visited twice and samples taken of all diet ingredients. Feed intake data were collected by means of questionnaires. A total of 169 feed samples were collected and analyzed for 20 mycotoxins using a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry multimethod. Silage and compound feed were the main diet ingredients, representing on average 67 and 23% of dry matter intake, respectively. Deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone, roquefortine C, and mycophenolic acid were the mycotoxins with the highest incidence. The incidence of DON in silage, compound feed, and feed commodity samples was 38 to 54%. The incidence of zearalenone in silage, compound feed, and feed commodity samples was 17 to 38%. The DON and zearalenone had a low incidence in forage samples and were not detected in ensiled by-product samples. Roquefortine C and mycophenolic acid were only detected in silage and ensiled by-product samples (incidence 7 to 19%). Fumonisins B₁ and B₂ were detected in 2 compound feed samples and one feed commodity sample. Aflatoxins B₁, B₂, G₁, and G₂, ochratoxin A, T-2 and HT-2 toxin, 3-acetyl-DON, 15-acetyl-DON, diacetoxyscirpenol, sterigmatocystin, fusarenon-X, ergotamine, and penicillinic acid were not detected in any of the samples. Average concentrations of DON, zearalenone, roquefortine C, and mycophenolic acid in complete diets were 273, 28, 114, and 54 μg/kg, respectively. Maximum concentrations were 969, 203, 2,211, and 1,840 μg/kg, respectively. Calculated average daily intakes of these mycotoxins were 5.0, 0.5, 2.0, and 0.9 mg/animal, respectively, and maximum daily intakes 19.3, 3.5, 38.9, and 32.3 mg/animal, respectively. Corn silage was the major source of all 4 of these mycotoxins in the diet. Extremely high concentrations of roquefortine C and mycophenolic acid (up to 45 and 25 mg/kg, respectively) were detected in visibly molded areas in surface layers of corn silage. These areas appeared to be the main source of roquefortine C and mycophenolic acid in the diet. Because carry-over of DON, zearale-none, roquefortine C, and mycophenolic acid into milk is negligible, their occurrence in feedstuffs is not considered of significant concern with respect to the safety of dairy products for consumers. Potential implications for animal health are discussed.     

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

Summary An estimate of the dietary intakes of nitrite, nitrate andN-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 ofN-nitroso compounds (NDMA) was estimated to be 0.08 g for the total population and 0.02 g 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 nitrite 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.

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Nitrat, Nitrit und N-nitroso-Verbindungen in der finnischen Nahrung

Zusammenfassung Die Einnahme von Nitrat, Nitrit undN-Nitroso-Verbindungen stützt sich auf die analytischen Werte der finnischen Lebensmittelkontrolle. Für die Schätzung der Nahrungsaufnahme der finnischen Bevölkerung benutzte man Resultate einer nationalen Nahrungsforschung und eines 48-Stunden-Befundes für 1768 Kinder und Jugendliche. Die durchschnittliche tägliche Einnahme von Nitrat schätzte man auf ungefähr 55 mg für die ganze Bevölkerung. Die durchschnittliche Einnahme von Nitrit betrug 1,88 mg für die ganze Bevölkerung und 1,07 mg für Kinder und Jugendliche. Die Einnahme vonN-Nitroso-Verbindungen (NDMA) schätzte man auf 0,08 g für die ganze Bevölkerung und 0,02 g für Kinder. Die hauptsächliche Nahrungsquelle der Nitrate war Gemüse (80%) und bei den Nitriten die Fleischwaren (97%). Nitrosamine stammten hauptsächlich aus Fischwaren und aus Bier. Als man die geschätzte Einnahme von Nitrit mit den ADI-Werten verglich, ergab sich, daß die Einnahme von Nitrit 23% (ganze Bevölkerung) und 39% (Kinder) des ADI-Wertes war. Als durchschnittliches Körpergewicht nahm man 60 kg für Erwachsene und 20 kg für Kinder an. Wenn man den Wert des gemessenen durchschnittlichen Körpergewichts (39 kg) für Kinder benutzte, war die Einnahme von Nitrit 28% des ADI-Wertes. Die Einnahme von Nitrat in Zusatzstoffen war 2,5% und entsprechend 1,4% des ADI-Wertes. Die Einnahme von Nitrat in der Nahrung schätzte man auf 25% (ganze Bevölkerung) und auf 28% (Kinder) des ADI-Wertes (gegeben nur für Nitrat als Zusatzstoffe).

     

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.     

Assessment of dietary intake of polychlorinated biphenyls from a total diet study conducted in Pavia, Northern Italy

The diet is considered to be the main source of body burden of polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) in the general population. The most cost-effective and reliable way to estimate the dietary intake is based on total diet studies (TDSs). The aim of the present study was to provide a reliable estimate of recent average dietary intakes of PCBs in Northern Italy. Congener-specific analysis of PCBs was undertaken on total diet samples collected at the cafeteria of the University of Pavia. The average daily intake for total PCBs was calculated to be 0.26 µg/person day^-1. The major contributor to PCB intake was accounted for by pooled samples of bread, cereals and potatoes, followed by the protein composite, and fruit and vegetables. Although diverse dietary habits and differences in sampling and analytical procedures make comparison between different studies difficult, the daily intake of PCBs in Northern Italy can be located in the lower part of the range for values reported in the literature.     

Estimated daily per capita intakes of phenolics and antioxidants from coffee in the Korean diet

Food Science and Biotechnology - This study evaluated the daily per drinker intakes of total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidants from coffee in the Korean diet. Four types of coffee...     

Concentrations of bisphenol A in the composite food samples from the 2008 Canadian total diet study in Quebec City and dietary intake estimates

A total of 154 food composite samples from the 2008 total diet study in Quebec City were analysed for bisphenol A (BPA), and BPA was detected in less than half (36%, or 55 samples) of the samples tested. High concentrations of BPA were found mostly in the composite samples containing canned foods, with the highest BPA level being observed in canned fish (106 ng g(-1)), followed by canned corn (83.7 ng g(-1)), canned soups (22.2-44.4 ng g(-1)), canned baked beans (23.5 ng g(-1)), canned peas (16.8 ng g(-1)), canned evaporated milk (15.3 ng g(-1)), and canned luncheon meats (10.5 ng g(-1)). BPA levels in baby food composite samples were low, with 2.75 ng g(-1) in canned liquid infant formula, and 0.84-2.46 ng g(-1) in jarred baby foods. BPA was also detected in some foods that are not canned or in jars, such as yeast (8.52 ng g(-1)), baking powder (0.64 ng g(-1)), some cheeses (0.68-2.24 ng g(-1)), breads and some cereals (0.40-1.73 ng g(-1)), and fast foods (1.1-10.9 ng g(-1)). Dietary intakes of BPA were low for all age-sex groups, with 0.17-0.33 μg kg(-1) body weight day(-1) for infants, 0.082-0.23 μg kg(-1) body weight day(-1) for children aged from 1 to 19 years, and 0.052-0.081 μg kg(-1) body weight day(-1) for adults, well below the established regulatory limits. BPA intakes from 19 of the 55 samples account for more than 95% of the total dietary intakes, and most of the 19 samples were either canned or in jars. Intakes of BPA from non-canned foods are low.     

Statistical method to assess usual dietary intakes in the European population

Food consumption data are a key element of EFSA’s risk assessment activities, forming the basis of dietary exposure assessment at the European level. In 2011, EFSA released the Comprehensive European Food Consumption Database, gathering consumption data from 34 national surveys representing 66,492 individuals from 22 European Union member states. Due to the different methodologies used, national survey data cannot be combined to generate European estimates of dietary exposure. This study was executed to assess how existing consumption data and the representativeness of dietary exposure and risk estimates at the European Union level can be improved by developing a ‘Compiled European Food Consumption Database’. To create the database, the usual intake distributions of 589 food items representing the total diet were estimated for 36 clusters composed of subjects belonging to the same age class, gender and having a similar diet. An adapted form of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) method was used for this, with a number of important modifications. Season, body weight and whether or not the food was consumed at the weekend were used to predict the probability of consumption. A gamma distribution was found to be more suitable for modelling the distribution of food amounts in the different food groups instead of a normal distribution. These distributions were combined with food correlation matrices according to the Iman–Conover method in order to simulate 28 days of consumption for 40,000 simulated individuals. The simulated data were validated by comparing the consumption statistics of the simulated individuals and food groups with the same statistics estimated from the Comprehensive Database. The opportunities and limitations of using the simulated database for exposure assessments are described.     

Semivolatile organochlorine compounds in the free troposphere of the Northeastern Atlantic

Polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), hexachlorocyclohexanes, and DOTs were analyzed over 1 entire year period in the air of a high altitude remote site (2367 m above sea level) located in Teide (Tenerife, Canary Islands, 28 degrees N16 degrees W) in the Eastern North Atlantic region. Twenty samples were collected providing information on the concentrations of these semivolatile organochlorine compounds (SOCs) in the free troposphere since the stable and persistenttemperature inversion in the subtropics defines a clear separation from the marine boundary layer. More than 80% of total SOCs were in the gas phase. HCB was the individual SOC in higher concentration, 51 pg m(-3), well above than the other SOCs identified, 1-11 pg m(-3). Sum PCB concentrations were 78 pg m(-3). These concentrations range among the lowest described in atmospheric samples. The collected air originated from four main sectors, high and middle latitudes in the north Atlantic, Europe, and Africa, as determined from isentropic backward air mass trajectories. No significant differences were observed for the concentrations of these compounds between air masses showing a high uniform SOC composition of the free troposphere. Only the more volatile PCB congeners, #18 and #28, exhibited significant differences between air masses from northern and southern latitudes. A seasonal temperature dependence for the less volatile PCB congeners, five or more chlorine subtituents, was also observed. Free tropospheric concentrations of all SOCs except HCB were lower than those measured near sea level for reference. PCB concentrations at the two altitudes exhibited consistent differences according to degree of chlorination. The stronger decrease of the more volatile compounds with altitude might reflect higher photodegradation.     

The contribution of lead in water to dietary lead intakes

Preliminary experiments have been carried out to determine the uptake of lead from both hard and soft waters used in the preparation of food and beverages. Lead concentrations in water for the range of 0.05-0.5 mg litre^?1 were used to prepare composite groups representing root vegetables, other vegetables and beverages whose composition reflected per capita consumption of these foods in the UK. The uptake of lead from water was highest for the composite group of other vegetables which comprises 70% by weight of green vegetables. For each of the composite groups and the particular water samples used there was little relative difference in uptake whether foods were prepared in hard or soft water. Calculations of the contribution made by lead in water used for preparation of foods and beverages to the total dietary lead intake indicates that at levels of lead of 0.02 mg litre^?1, the contribution is about 10% but this can rise to about 40% as lead levels in the water approach 0.1 mg litre^?1.     

Survey of total mercury in total diet food composites and an estimation of the dietary intake of mercury by adults and children from two Canadian cities, 1998-2000

Total mercury was measured in 259 total diet food composites from two Canadian cities. Levels were generally low, with 46% of the composites having concentrations below the limit of detection, which ranged from 0.026 to 0.506 ng g^-1. The fish category contained the highest mercury concentrations, which averaged 67 ng g^-1 and ranged from 24 to 148 ng g^-1. All composites were below the Canadian guideline for total mercury in fish of 0.5 ppm. Dietary intakes of mercury averaged 0.022 μg kg^-1 body weight/day (μg kg^-1 day^-1), and ranged from 0.012 μg kg^-1 day^-1 for females over 65 years old to 0.062 μg kg^-1 day^-1 for 0-1-month-old infants. For fish consumers, fish contributed to more than half of the ingested mercury. All intakes were well below Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intakes, expressed on a daily basis, of 0.71 μg kg^-1 day^-1 total mercury and 0.47 μg kg^-1 day^-1 methyl mercury, and also below a recent Health Canada recommended maximum methyl mercury intake of 0.2 μg kg^-1 day^-1 for children and women of child-bearing age.     

Influence of altitude and age in the accumulation of organochlorine compounds in fish from high mountain lakes

The analysis of hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorocyclohexanes, polychlorobiphenyls, and DDTs in muscle of fish from high mountain lakes shows that a proportion of their concentration variance depends on fish age and lake altitude. Interestingly, the magnitude of this share corresponds linearly with the log-transformed vapor pressure (Vp) of the organochlorine compounds (OC). Thus, the distributions of OC with Vp < 10(-2.5) Pa are mostly determined by these two variables. Altitude gradients mainly respond to temperature differences, involving concentration increases of 25-150 times between 8.7 and -2.3 degrees C. The age effect encompasses concentration increments of 2.4-7.8 for average lake differences between 2 and 13 yr. However, both effects are independent since no correlation between fish age and lake altitude is observed. Fish liver concentrations exhibit the same pattern, but the correlations are only significantfor age, suggesting thatthe temperature trend is more related to long-term accumulation than episodic intake. The temperature effect is independent from compound origin. In addition, the sites situated at highest altitude, those most distant from possible ground pollution sources, are the most polluted. The results can be explained by condensation effects such as those described for the latitudinal trends that support the global distillation theory. However, in the high altitude lakes a temperature-dependent amplification mechanism, probably related to low metabolism and respiration at lowtemperatures, enhances OC accumulation in fish beyond the increases predicted from theoretical condensation and solubilization enthalpies. The observed temperature dependence suggests that a general remobilization of OC accumulated in high mountain areas could take place as a consequence of the general warming of these areas anticipated in the climatic change studies.     

The contents of water-insoluble dietary fibre in finnish berries and mushrooms. A preliminary study

The contents of water-insoluble dietary fibre were estimated in Finnish berries and mushrooms. The contents in berries varied from 8.9 to 26.6% in dry matter and in mushrooms from 19.6 to 41.6 in dry matter.     

Daily dietary intake of fluoride by Slovenian Military based on analysis of total fluorine in total diet samples using fluoride ion selective electrode

The purpose of this study was to develop an analytical procedure for determination of the amount of total fluoride in total diet samples, including drinking water and beverages. Samples were taken by the duplicate portion technique and decomposed by alkali carbonate fusion using KNaCO₃, and the amount of fluoride in solution was determined by fluoride ion selective electrode using the multiple known addition technique. The mean amount of total fluoride determined in 20 total diet samples obtained from the Slovenian Military was 1.84 ± 0.70 mg/kg on a dry matter basis. Accordingly the estimated daily intake was 1.50 ± 0.56 mg.     

Physical-chemical and maternal determinants of the accumulation of organochlorine compounds in four-year-old children

A cohort study representing a general population (Minorca Island, birth year 1997-1998) showed that in utero transfer of organochlorine compounds (OCs) in children was strongly correlated with the age of the mother and, in the case of hexachlorobenzene (HCB), 4,4'-DDE, and 4,4'-DDT, with the maternal body mass index. Some of these correlations remained significant for the serum concentrations collected in these children at four years. No significant correlations with length of gestation were observed. Breastfeeding and age of lactation were strong determinants of most OC concentrations at four years of age. At this age, the body burden of these compounds was higher than at birth irrespective of maternal or formula feeding, but they accumulated at higher extent in the former case involving concentration increments in blood that surpassed the growth dilution effects, with the only exceptions being pentachlorobenzene (PeCB), HCB, and 4,4'-DDT. 4,4'-DDE exhibited the highest increase in association with breastfeeding, pointing to a specific accumulation pathway via this mode. Compounds with low K(ow) values such as beta-hexachlorocyclohexane showed significant accumulation in four-year-old children but with small differences between the groups that had been raised on either breast milk or formula. Compounds having low K(oa) values such as HCB showed decreases in concentration and small body burden variation between birth and four years of age, which points to their preferential elimination in these initial periods of infant growth.     

Temperature dependence of the distribution of organochlorine compounds in the mosses of the Andean mountains

Organochlorine compounds (OC), namely pentachlorobenzene, hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorocyclohexanes, polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), and DDTs, have been studied in mosses distributed over three altitude gradients of the Andean mountains in Chile at 18 degrees S (3200-4500 m above sea level), 37 degrees S (345-1330 m), and 45 degrees S (10-700 m). The observed concentrations range among the lowestvalues ever reported in remote sites, but they are still higher than those found in previously studied Antarctic areas. The log transformed OC concentrations show a significant linear dependence from reciprocal of temperature independently of the origin of the compounds, e.g. industrial, agricultural, or mixed. In the case of the more volatile OC these correlations involve variance percentages higher than 50%. This good agreement gives further ground to temperature as the driving factor for the retention of long-range transported OC in remote ecosystems, including those in the southern hemisphere such as the Andean mountains. In the context of the samples selected for study, the temperature dependences in the areas of similar latitude are related to altitude. Thus, all OC in the highest altitude gradient (18 degrees S) and most compounds in the other two profiles (37 degrees S and 45 degrees S) exhibit higher concentrations with decreasing annual average temperature and thus increase with elevation above sea level. However, theoretical examination of the exponential equation relating OC concentrations to reciprocal of absolute temperatures shows that besides the temperature differences between highest and lowest elevation, the most relevant factor determining the OC concentration gradients is the lowest temperature value of each altitudinal series. That is, the point at highest elevation.     

Concentrations and spatial variations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and several organochlorine compounds in fishes from the northeastern United States

Fish from four lakes, two small lakes in the northeastern United States and two of the Great Lakes, were analyzed to determine the concentrations and spatial variations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) in this region. Three of the lakes were considered to have background levels of PBDEs; one lake was close to a suspected source. The PBDE concentrations were compared to organochlorine pesticide and PCB concentrations. Age and trophic position did not influence the organohalogen concentrations in the fish collected from the four locations. At the three background locations, the sum of PBDE concentrations ranged from 6.9 +/- 1.4 to 18 +/- 1 ng/g wet weight, or 150 +/- 9 to 300 +/- 80 ng/g lipid, and these values were similar to those of some of the organochlorine pesticides, such as total chlordane, but lower than sum of PCB concentrations. At the lake near the suspected source, the sum of PBDE concentration was 65 +/- 8 ng/g wet weight, or 2,400 +/- 600 ng/g lipid, and it exceeded the sum of PCB concentration. The hexabrominated congeners made up 43% of the total mass of PBDEs at this lake, and 7% at the background locations. Fish to sediment concentration ratios indicated that the tetra- through hexa-substituted congeners have a similar bioavailability, while the deca-substituted congener does not seem to be bioavailable at all.     

Definition of the Mediterranean diet based on bioactive compounds

Antioxidant (polyphenols and carotenoids) and nonantioxidant (phytosterols) bioactive compounds and dietary fiber may have a significant role in health. The intake of these compounds is strongly linked with the high consumption of fruits, vegetables, and unrefined cereals. A whole-diet approach to these food constituents is intended to render the current definition of Mediterranean diet based on food consumption more comprehensive. The Mediterranean dietary pattern can be characterized by the following four essential dietary indicators: 1) Monounsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio (range: 1.6 to 2.0); 2) Intake of dietary fiber (41 to 62 g/person/day); 3) Antioxidant capacity of the whole diet (3500 to 5300 trolox equivalent/person/day); 4) Phytosterols intake (370 to 555 mg/person/day). The contribution of foods and beverages to these parameters is described. Spanish National Food Consumption Data for the years 2000 and 1964 were used to quantify the lowest and highest range values. The occurrence of these indicators in the Mediterranean diet has specific characteristics and there is sufficient scientific evidence to support the beneficial health effects.