Calcium, phosphorus, iron, iodine, and zinc in the "total diet"

Advances in food technology have changed the nutrient composition of foods, raising questions as to whether mineral intakes in the U.S. are now adequate or excessive. When the FDA assayed "market basket" samples collected at the retail level in twenty urban areas of the U.S. during 1974 and 1975, the following minerals and the daily intake as percentages of the U.S. RDAs were found: (a) For adults (based on a 2,800 kcal intake)--calcium, 114; phosphorus, 171; iron, 98; iodine, 428; and zinc, 89; (b) for six-month-old infants--calcium, 163; phosphorus, 173; iron, 47; iodine, 878; and zinc, 112; and (c) for two-year-olds--calcium, 114; phosphorus, 130; iron, 112; iodine, 526; and zinc, 106.