Nutrient analysis catch up project

The Food Standards Agency has recently carried out a survey to determine the nutrient composition of a diverse range of foods for which a need for new data has been identified. The survey forms part of the Agency's rolling programme of nutrient analysis that provides up-to-date and reliable information on the nutrient content of foods. This data is incorporated into the Agency's nutrient databanks, which support our national dietary surveys.

Thirty-two composite samples were analysed for energy and a range of nutrients including fat, protein, carbohydrate, fibre and a full range of vitamins and minerals. Foods analysed were farmed and wild salmon, quiche, cook-in sauces, stir fry sauces, American muffins, Jaffa Cakes, coffee, sushi, vegetarian mince, rice cakes, premium chilled carton soups, potato wedges, vegetable curry (ready meal) and cake bars. Nutrient levels were in line with those found previously in other, similar foods.

The results of this survey are being incorporated into the Agency's nutrient databanks used in dietary surveys to monitor the nation's diet and future publications of McCance and Widdowson's The Composition of Foods series.