| Abstract: | This study examines the intake of nitrate and nitrite in Swedish children. Daily intake estimates were based on a nationwide food consumption survey (4-day food diary) and nitrite/nitrate content in various foodstuffs. The mean intake of nitrite from cured meat among 2259 children studied was 0.013, 0.010 and 0.007?mg?kg?1?body?weight?day?1 in age groups 4, 8–9 and 11–12 years, respectively. Among these age groups, three individuals (0.1% of the studied children) exceeded the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 0.07?mg?nitrite?kg?1 body weight?day?1. The mean intake of nitrate from vegetables, fruit, cured meat and water was 0.84, 0.68 and 0.45?mg?kg?1 body weight?day?1 for children aged 4, 8–9 and 11–12 years, respectively. No individual exceeded the ADI of 3.7?mg?nitrate?kg?1 body weight?day?1. However, when the total nitrite intake was estimated, including an estimated 5% endogenous conversion of nitrate to nitrite, approximately 12% of the 4-year-old children exceeded the nitrite ADI. Thus, the intake of nitrite in Swedish children may be a concern for young age groups when endogenous nitrite conversion is included in the intake estimates. |
