J Trace Elem Electrolytes Health Dis. 1993 Sep; 7(3): 165-9.

Daily dietary intake of copper and zinc by several population groups in Belgium: preliminary reports.

Swerts J, Benemariya H, Robberecht H, van Cauwenbergh R, Deelstra H.

Department of Chemistry, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.

Atomic absorption spectrometry is used to determine copper and zinc content of several duplicate meals consumed by different population groups in the Antwerp region (Belgium). Daily elemental intake, beverages not included, is calculated and proven to be below the recommended daily allowances (National Academy of Sciences, USA), except for copper intake by macrobiotics. Values obtained in this study are compared with scarce data on intake by similar groups in other countries.