The nitrate and nitrite contents in a whole day's hospital diet during the spring season.

It was decided to evaluate the exposition of patients on nitrates and nitrites contained in 6 whole day's standard hospital diets taken in various days. Studies were performed in June 1995. It was found that the mean daily intake of nitrates was 311 mg and the mean intake of nitrites were 2.16 mg per patient. The main source of nitrates were vegetables (85%), whereas the main source of nitrites were meat and meat-containing products. The presented results suggest that the diets containing early vegetables (especially cabbage) may be harmful for human health.