Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.
Skip to main content

2019-20 Key Foods analytical program

In 2019-20 FSANZ undertook an analytical program to update and expand our food composition data holdings. Fifteen foods were selected for nutrient analysis for which we hold no data, or the data we do hold is out-dated and may no longer reflect the products available for consumption.

The nutrients selected to be analysed differed for each food depending on what data was available, the quality of the data, and whether the nutrient was likely to be present in the food.

Sampling

Eight samples were purchased for each food. The foods were sampled across five states and territories (Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia) to provide a range of production locations. For some samples, multiple items were required to ensure an appropriate sample weight was obtained (i.e. one sample of red onions included 2-3 individual onions).

Sampling was carried out by FSANZ and the National Measurement Institute (NMI). All food purchases were made within capital city and metropolitan areas to represent the buying habits of the majority of the community. Food purchases were made at a range of retail outlets including supermarkets, bakeries, butchers and fresh fruit and vegetable stores. If more than one sample of the same brand was purchased, different batch codes or use by dates were selected where possible.

The complete list of foods selected for analysis is available in Table 1.

Table 1: Foods analysed in the 2019-20 Key Foods analytical program

Foods No. of samples purchased (no. of items purchased*) No. of brands/varieties
Cereal products    
Bread roll, white 8 (48) 4
Bread, sourdough, white 8 (8) 3
Dairy    
Bocconcini 8 (8) 4
Parmesan, fresh 8 (8) 5
Fruit    
Apricot, fresh, raw 8 (54) n/a
Vegetables    
Capsicum, green 8 (16) n/a
Capsicum, red 8 (14) n/a
Basil, green, fresh 8 (21) 3
Coriander, fresh 8 (21) 3
Parsley, continental (flat-leaf), fresh 8 (20) 3
Onion, red, raw 8 (17) n/a
Meat    
Chicken, thigh, raw 8 (36) 4
Chicken, thigh, dry fried 8 (36) 4
Duck, breast, lean, raw 8 (16) 1
Snack foods    
Snack, grain based (i.e. grain waves) 8 (9) 1

*In some instances, multiple items must be purchased to reach the required weight of 500 g per sample.

Preparation & analysis

The samples were delivered by hand or sent by courier to NMI. Once received, the samples were photographed and copies were provided to FSANZ for approval prior to analysis.

NMI prepared samples according to the sample preparation procedures provided by FSANZ. Each sample was weighed (before and after preparation where appropriate), homogenised and combined to form one composite sample. Nutrients analysed in this program are listed in Table 2.

NMI conducted the analyses at their Melbourne laboratories. Methods of analysis used have been accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities.

Table 2: Nutrients analysed in the 2019-20 Key Foods program

Proximates Vitamins Minerals Other
Moisture Carotenes (α and β) Aluminum Fatty acid profile
Protein Cryptoxanthin Arsenic Cholesterol
Fat Retinol Calcium Tryptophan
Starch Thiamin (Vitamin B1) Copper  
Sugar profile Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) Iodine  
Total dietary fibre Niacin (Vitamin B3) Iron  
Ash Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) Lead  
Organic acids Cobalamin (Vitamin B12) Magnesium  
  Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) Manganese  
  Total folates Molybdenum  
  Free folates Phosphorus  
  Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) Potassium  
  Tocopherols (α, β, γ and δ) Selenium  
    Sodium  
    Zinc  

Results

FSANZ validated the results using our existing analytical data, food labels (ingredient lists and nutrition information panels) where available, and data from international food composition databases for similar foods.

The majority of results were consistent with previous findings. A small number of analytes in some foods showed levels outside the expected range. These food samples were reanalysed by the laboratory, and all results were verified and accepted.

For the complete set of results generated from this program refer to:

Conclusion

The results of this analytical program have filled some important data gaps and given us an improved level of confidence about the composition of these foods which contribute to population nutrient intakes. The results will also feed into future releases of the FSANZ published databases, including the Australian Food Composition Database and future national nutrition survey databases (AUSNUT).

Page last updated 11 April 2024