Long-term daily intake estimates of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans, polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenylethers from food in Finnish children: risk assessment implications.

Food is contaminated by polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/F), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDE) worldwide. Previous data show elevated intakes in children. We determined intakes of POPs in Finnish children.

Estimated intake levels for Finnish children of methylmercury from fish.

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a well-known neurotoxic agent, and consumption of contaminated fish is the principal environmental source of MeHg exposure in humans. Children are more susceptible to adverse effects than adults. No previous specific data exist for intake by Finnish children of methylmercury from fish.

Differences among total and in vitro digestible phosphorus content of meat and milk products.

Objective: Meat and milk products are important sources of dietary phosphorus (P) and protein. The use of P additives is common both in processed cheese and meat products. Measurement of in vitro digestible phosphorus (DP) content of foods may reflect absorbability of P.

Use of voluntarily fortified foods among adults in Finland.

Objective: To investigate the purchase and use of fortified foods, and to explore and compare background characteristics, food consumption and nutrient intakes among users and non-users of voluntarily fortified foods in Finland.

Design: A study based on the National FINDIET Survey 2007 (48 h recall), which included also a barcode-based product diary developed to assess the type, amount and users of voluntarily fortified foods. Logistic regression analysis was employed to investigate associations between background characteristics and the use of fortified foods.

Differences among total and in vitro digestible phosphorus content of plant foods and beverages.

Objective: Among plant foods, grain products, legumes, and seeds are important sources of phosphorus (P). Current data on P content and absorbability of P from these foods are lacking. Measurement of in vitro digestible P (DP) content of foods may reflect absorbability of P.

Dietary exposure assessments for children in europe (the EXPOCHI project): rationale, methods and design.

Background/purpose: The number of dietary exposure assessment studies focussing on children is very limited. Children are however a vulnerable group due to their higher food consumption level per kg body weight. Therefore, the EXPOCHI project aims 1 to create a relational network of individual food consumption databases in children, covering different geographical areas within Europe, and 2 to use these data to assess the usual intake of lead, chromium, selenium and food colours.

Dietary survey methodology of FINDIET 2007 with a risk assessment perspective.

A cross-sectional survey, FINDIET 2007, was carried out in Finland. Food intake data was collected by a 48 h recall interview. Additional food intake data was collected by a repeated 3 d food diary, a barcode-based product diary, a food frequency questionnaire and by a supplementary questionnaire on rarely eaten foods.

Modelling the intake of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans: impact of energy under-reporting and number of reporting days in dietary surveys.

A probabilistic long-term intake estimation of dioxins was carried out using food consumption data obtained from the National FINDIET 2007 Survey (Paturi et al. 2008). The study population consisted of 606 participants who were first interviewed with a 48-h recall and then filled in a 3-day food record twice.

Intake of selected nutrients from foods, from fortification and from supplements in various European countries.

Background: Recent European Union regulation requires setting of maximum amount of micronutrients in dietary supplements or foods taking into account the tolerable upper intake level (ULs) established by scientific risk assessment and population reference intakes.

Objective: To collect and evaluate recently available data on intakes of selected vitamins and minerals from conventional foods, food supplements and fortified foods in adults and children. Intake of calcium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, zinc, folic acid, niacin and total vitamin A/retinol, B(6), D and E was derived from nationally representative surveys in Denmark, Germany, Finland, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Flavonoid intake and risk of pancreatic cancer in male smokers (Finland).

Extending research on the protective effect of flavonoids in cell culture and animal studies, we examined the association between consumption of flavonoids and flavonoid-rich foods and development of exocrine pancreatic cancer within the alpha-Tocopherol, beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study cohort. Of the 27,111 healthy male smokers (50-69 years) who completed a self-administered dietary questionnaire at baseline, 306 developed exocrine pancreatic cancer during follow-up (1985-2004; median, 16.1 years).

Labelling the salt content in foods: a useful tool in reducing sodium intake in Finland.

Objective: To estimate the impact of choosing food products labelled either as low or high in salt on salt intake in the Finnish adult population.

Setting And Subjects: The National FINDIET 2002 survey with 48-hour recalls from 2007 subjects aged 25-64 years. Sodium intake was calculated based on the Fineli food composition database including the sodium content of natural and processed foods as well as the salt content of recipes.

Development of a model for optimal food fortification: vitamin D among adults in Finland.

Background: Average vitamin D intake is low in Finland. Even though almost all retail milk and margarine are fortified with vitamin D, the vitamin D intake is inadequate for a significant proportion of the population. Consequently, expanded food fortification with vitamin D would be motivated.

Efficacy and safety of food fortification with calcium among adults in Finland.

Objective: To examine the efficacy and safety of foods fortified with calcium in the adult population in Finland.

Design: A simulation study based on the FINDIET 2002 Survey, which estimated habitual food consumption, dietary supplement use and nutrient intakes using 48-hour recall and two 3-day food records, and an Internet survey of the consumption of fortified foods and dietary supplements.

Setting/participants: Participants of FINDIET 2002 were 25-64 years old from five areas (n = 2007).

Consumption of antioxidant-rich beverages and risk for breast cancer in French women.

Purpose: The objective of the study is to evaluate the relation between antioxidant-rich beverages and the incidence of breast cancer.

Methods: This prospective study consisted of 4396 women without a history of cancer who were participants in the French Supplémentation en Vitamines et Minéraux Antioxydants Study. Beverage consumption was estimated by using three nonconsecutive 24-hour recalls.

Flavonol and flavone intake and the risk of intermittent claudication in male smokers.

The objective of this study was to investigate the association between flavonol and flavone intake and the risk of intermittent claudication in male smokers. The study population consisted of participants of the Finnish alpha-Tocopherol, beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention (ATBC) Study, who were free of intermittent claudication at study entry. These 25,041 male smokers were 50-69 years old at baseline.