Selenium, zinc and copper in the Polish diet

• We determined daily dietary intakes of Se, Zn and Cu in the Polish individuals.
• Totally 469 daily food rations and 157 24-h diet recalls were collected.
• Daily intakes calculated from 24-h recalls were lower as compared to analytical data.
• Zn and Cu contents were determined additionally in 235 different food products.
• Mean contents of Zn and Cu in food varied 0.4–17.4 μg/g and 0.3–7.2 μg/g, respectively.

The aim of the study was to assess daily dietary intakes of selenium (Se), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in a representative group of Polish individuals using analytical and calculation method, and to determine the contents of Zn and Cu in different foodstuffs available on the Polish market, in order to complete our previous data on Se content in Polish food. Daily intakes of the microelements were assessed analytically in 469 daily food rations, 439 of which were collected from various public canteens and 30 by duplicate portion method from private individuals. Calculated daily intakes were obtained by analysing 157 diet recalls and by the use of our previous and current data on Se, Zn and Cu contents in food, including 235 different food products. Mean intakes in different groups, as shown analytically, ranged from 20 to 59 μg/day for Se, 3.2 to 13.5 mg/day for Zn and from 0.4 to 2.2 mg/day for Cu. Mean daily intakes calculated from 24-h diet recalls were lower than the majority of the mean values obtained analytically and amounted to 30 ± 11 μg for Se, 5.3 ± 1.8 mg for Zn and 0.8 ± 0.3 mg for Cu. Mean concentrations of Zn and Cu in food varied from 0.4 to 17.4 μg/g and from 0.3 to 7.2 μg/g, respectively.