DAILY DIETARY ZINC INTAKE IN BELGIUM MEASURED USING DUPLICATE PORTIONSAMPLING

Daily dietary zinc intake by healthy adults in Belgium has been re-eva luated by duplicate portion sampling, heating in a microwave oven and atomic absorption spectrometric determination of the element. The mean intake value for adults (11.2+/-3.2 mg/day) is similar to levels foun d for most other countries, but below the daily requirements, i.e. 15 mg/day for men and 12 mg/day for women. Literature data on intake leve ls for other population groups (infants, children, adolescents, lactat ing women, the elderly, those taking supplements and those involved in intensive physical activities) as well as for pathological conditions are compiled.