Fe, Ca and Mg contents in selected fast food products in Poland

The Fe and Mg contents in selected fast food products available in restaurants and fast food outlets in Poland were determined by AAS, and the Ca content by AES. The mean Fe contents in the studied fast food products were from 0.7 to 2.3 mg/100 g, or from 0.6 to 2.3 per single serving. The highest means for this element were found in a serving of hamburger (2.3 mg), fishburger (2.0 mg) and chicken sandwich (2.0 mg). The mean Ca contents in the studied products were from 11.6 to 192.2 mg/100 g, or 10 to 192.2 mg per serving. The highest means for this element were found in a serving of pizza (192.2 mg) and cheeseburger (134.8 mg). The mean Mg contents in the studied products were from 6.8 to 34.1 mg/100 g1 or 5.9 to 37.3 mg per serving. The highest means for this element were found in a serving of french fries (37.3 mg), chicken sandwich (34.7 mg) and fishburger (30.4 mg). Based on the Fe, Ca and Mg contents found in these products, the percentage of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of these elements was calculated for one serving of each product. These calculations were done for various groups of people in Poland. The highest percentage of the recommended Fe intake could be covered by one serving of hamburger (15-23% RDA), fishburger (14-20% RDA), or chicken sandwich (13-20% RDA). The highest percentage of the recommended Ca intake could be covered by one serving of pizza (17-24% RDA) or cheeseburger (12-17% RDA); and for Mg one serving of french fries (11-19% RDA), chicken sandwich (10-17% RDA), or fishburger (9-15% RDA). From the conducted studies it may be concluded that some fast food products can serve as a source of Fe, Ca and Mg in the diet of people of various ages.