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Objective: To validate a picture book for estimation of food portion sizes using two approaches: (i) 'perception' of food portions by comparison with a series of food photos; and (ii) 'conceptualization and memory', using the same photos to estimate the amount of served food one hour after self-served food portions.Design: Each partner developed a country-specific picture book based on the so-called EPIC-Soft picture book. Representative and common photo series were chosen achieving approximately 25 % of the original picture book (n 23). Three portions from each photo series were randomly selected.Setting: The study was performed within the Pilot study in the view of a Pan-European dietary survey - Adolescents, adults and elderly (PILOT-PANEU) project.Subjects: A sample of adolescents and adults was recruited in five countries: Bulgaria (n 103), Finland (n 34), Germany (n 69), Hungary (n 62) and Portugal (n 77).Results: Among the portions of the corresponding photo series and depending on the type of food, from 18 % (cheese) to 96 % (ratatouille) of participants chose the correct portions. In the perception study, agreement between the portions shown and reported was substantial (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)=0·805) and the mean difference was very low. In the memory study, agreement between the served and reported portions was lower than in the perception study (ICC=0·536). Agreement also seemed to decrease as the appearance of food on the plate differed from food in the picture.Conclusions: Overall, the picture series selected can be applied in future intake surveys to quantify foods similar to those depicted in the pictures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Choline is an important nutrient for humans. Choline intake of the European population was assessed considering the European Food Safety Authority European Comprehensive Food Consumption Database and the United States Department of Agriculture Nutrient Database. Average choline intake ranges were 151–210 mg/d among toddlers (1 to ≤3 years old), 177–304 mg/d among other children (3 to ≤10 years old), 244–373 mg/d among adolescents (10 to ≤18 years old), 291–468 mg/d among adults (18 to ≤65 years old), 284–450 mg/d among elderly people (65 to ≤75 years old) and 269–444 mg/d among very elderly people (≥75 years old). The intakes were higher among males compared with females, mainly due to larger quantities of food consumed per day. In most of the population groups considered, the average choline intake was below the adequate intake (AI) set by the Institute of Medicine in the USA. The main food groups contributing to choline intake were meat, milk, grain, egg and their derived products, composite dishes and fish. The main limitations of this study are related to the absence of choline composition data of foods consumed by the European population and the subsequent assumption made to assess their intake levels. Given the definition of AI, no conclusion on the adequacy of choline intake can be drawn for most European population groups. Such results improve the knowledge on choline intake in Europe that could be further refined by the collection of choline composition data for foods as consumed in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Quality Management Framework to improve quality and harmonization of Total Diet Study practices in Europe was developed within the TDS-Exposure Project. Seventeen processes were identified and hazards, Critical Control Points and associated preventive and corrective measures described. The Total Diet Study process was summarized in a flowchart divided into planning and practical (sample collection, preparation and analysis; risk assessment analysis and publication) phases. Standard Operating Procedures were developed and implemented in pilot studies in five organizations. The flowchart was used to develop a quality framework for Total Diet Studies that could be included in formal quality management systems. Pilot studies operated by four project partners were visited by project assessors who reviewed implementation of the proposed framework and identified areas that could be improved. The quality framework developed can be the starting point for any Total Diet Study centre and can be used within existing formal quality management approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Poppy seeds can be contaminated with opium alkaloids, e.g. during harvesting. • Health risks of thebaine cannot be finally assessed due to lack of data. • Thebain is suggested to exhibit a higher acute toxic potential than morphine. • Exposure to thebaine by poppy seed consumption may pose a health risk to humans. Opium alkaloids such as morphine and thebaine occur in the latex of Papaver somniferum varieties. Some varieties are used for both, pharmaceutical opium alkaloid generation and poppy seed production for food use. Poppy seeds can be contaminated with opium alkaloid-containing latex, e.g. during harvesting. In recent years, poppy seed contamination with opium alkaloids, including thebaine, gave repeatedly reasons for concern in Europe. So far, risk assessments regarding opium alkaloids in poppy seeds were mainly based on the morphine level, whereas other opium alkaloids thereunder thebaine could not be finally evaluated due to lack of data. However, available limited data indicate that thebaine exhibits a higher acute toxic potential than morphine. Therefore, exposure to thebaine by consumption of poppy seed-containing food could pose a health risk. Here, we discuss the recent knowledge regarding thebaine's toxicological profile available for the assessment of potential health risks associated with its consumption via food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]