Dietary intakes of pesticides, selected elements, and other chemicals: FDA Total Diet Study, June 1984-April 1986.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration conducts the Total Diet Study to determine dietary intakes of selected pesticides, industrial chemicals, and elements (including radionuclides). The results reported here reflect the sampling period from June 1984 to April 1986. The study involves retail purchase of foods representative of the total diet of the U.S. population, preparation for table-ready consumption, and individual analyses of 234 items depicting the diets of 8 population groups. The diets were based on 2 nationwide food consumption surveys. The data presented represent 8 food collections (also termed "market baskets") in regional metropolitan areas during the 2-year period. Dietary intakes of over 90 analytes are presented for the 8 population groups, which range from infants to elderly adults. Intakes of selected population groups are compared with representative previous findings. As reported previously, average daily intakes are well below acceptable limits.