Selected minerals in foods surveys, 1974 to 1981/82

The levels of 11 essential minerals in food commodity groups and total diets of adult males, infants, and toddlers were summarized from the Selected Minerals in Foods Survey, Fiscal Years (FY) 1974 through mid-1982, of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to evaluate the sources and adequacy of those minerals in the diets. The three diets were adequate in calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, manganese, and selenium; low in copper; and elevated in sodium and iodine. Iron was adequate in adult male but not in infant or toddler diets, and zinc was adequate in infant but somewhat low in adult male and toddler diets. Dairy products; meat, fish, and poultry; grain and cereal products; and fruits and vegetables were the major sources of the 11 minerals. Some statistically significant differences in mineral levels were found among years for total diets and food commodity groups. Regression analysis indicated several linear trends in the mineral content of food commodity groups but no linear trends in the mineral levels of total diets. FDA continues to monitor the levels of minerals in food and diets through the revised Total Diet Study program, which began in mid-FY82.