Content of major and minor mineral elements in weekly diets of eleven Finnish hospitals

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Abstract
As part of the research programme of the Sub‐network on Trace Element Status in Foods and Diets of the FAO Cooperative Network on Trace Elements, the concentrations of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Mo and Ni were determined in homogenized weekly diets collected from 11 hospitals throughout Finland. Samples were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry using certified reference materials to ensure analytical quality control. The average energy content of the diets was 8.6 MJ (2045 kcal). The average mineral concentrations were as follows: Na 0.45 g/MJ; K 0.49 g/MJ; Ca 160 mg/MJ; Mg 42 mg/MJ; Fe 1.6 mg/MJ; Zn 1.6 mg/MJ; Mn 0.70 mg/MJ; Cu 0.18 mg/MJ; Mo 12 μg/MJ; and Ni 14 μg/MJ. In conclusion, the quality of Finnish hospital diets with regard to major and minor mineral elements is acceptable with the exceptions of iron, zinc and copper, whose intake may be limited at low energy levels.