COPPER INTAKES AND CONSUMPTION PATTERNS OF CHOCOLATE FOODS AS SOURCESOF COPPER FOR INDIVIDUALS IN THE 1987-88 NATIONWIDE FOOD-CONSUMPTION SURVEY

Objectives of this study were to estimate mean daily intake of copper for eight age subgroups of each gender, to examine consumption pattern s of chocolate foods in the U.S., and to determine amounts of copper p rovided by the consumption of chocolate foods by analyzing 3-day dieta ry records reported by individuals in the 1987-88 Nationwide Food Cons umption Survey. Mean daily copper intake for all age/gender groups of infants and children reached the lower value of the Estimated Safe and Adequate Daily Dietary Intake (ESADDI) range. However, the mean daily copper intake of all age/gender groups of adolescents and adults was below the ESADDI of 1.5 to 3.0 mg/day. Chocolate cookies were most fre quently consumed among chocolate foods. Dark chocolate/candy made the highest contribution to mean daily copper intake (22.1% of ESADDI). Ot her major contributors to the daily copper intake were chocolate pie ( 17.8% of ESADDI), chocolate milk (13.3%), chocolate topping/syrup/icin g (12.0%), milk chocolate/candy (11.3%), and chocolate cake/muffin (11 .2%). The total dietary copper intake by males and females was positiv ely associated (p<0.001) with the consumption of chocolate foods. Thes e results indicate that the mean daily copper intake of American adole scents and adults is less than recommended level and chocolate foods c an be a good source of American dietary copper.