1997/98 New Zealand Total Diet Survey

1997/98 New Zealand Total Diet Survey
Date of publication: February 2000

The 1997/98 New Zealand Total Diet Survey (NZTDS) was carried out for the Ministry of Health by the Institute of Environmental Science & Research Limited (ESR) as the lead agency, the New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Ltd (C&FR), and Health Protection Officers (HPOs).

The documented objectives of the 1997/98 NZTDS were:

to assess the health implications of levels of selected pesticide residues, contaminant and nutrient elements in the New Zealand food supply (based on the NZTDS food list, which represents at least 70% of the most consumed food items);

to estimate the potential dietary exposure to selected pesticide residues, contaminant and nutrient elements by interpreting data from the NZTDS in terms of simulated typical diets of a number of New Zealand population sub-groups. The project:

assessed the chemical status of the New Zealand food supply;
indicated any potential exposure concerns;
demonstrated trends in dietary exposure; and
made comparisons with exposure estimates derived in other countries;

to contribute data to the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Environmental Monitoring System (GEMS)/Food programme, so that accurate international comparisons can be made of New Zealand dietary exposure to chemical contaminants;

to provide, where appropriate, data on the pesticide residue, contaminant and selected nutrient element (iodine, selenium, and zinc) content of food, suitable for incorporation into the New Zealand Food Composition Database for use by interested parties; and

to make data on the pesticide residue, contaminant and selected nutrient element (iodine, selenium, and zinc) content of food available to stakeholders in a timely manner during the course of the NZTDS.

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Part One: Pesticides (PDF, 371 kB)

Part Two: Elements (PDF, 439 kB)

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