English: Averages (%) of foods containing appropriate vitamin C levels (to achieve adequate vitamin C intake) based on the proposed method in food groups. All high vitamin C (excellent source of vitamin C) and vitamin C source (good source of vitamin C) foods, excluding high vitamin C and vitamin C source baby foods, are based on the reference energy intake of 2,000 kcal for adults and children aged 4 years and older. High vitamin C and vitamin C source baby foods are based on the reference energy intake of 1,000 kcal for children 1 through 3 years of age.

About 48.7% of foods contained vitamin C (also known as L-ascorbic acid). On the basis of the proposed method, the average (%) of foods containing appropriate vitamin C levels in food groups was 13.81%, of which 4.53% was the average of vitamin C source (good source of vitamin C) foods, and 9.28% was the average of high vitamin C (excellent source of vitamin C) foods. Baby foods with 72.85%, vegetables and vegetable products with 53.97%, fruits and fruit juices with 50.42%, beverages with 35.67%, and breakfast cereals with 20.29% had the highest averages of foods containing appropriate vitamin C levels. Foods containing appropriate vitamin C levels were not found in three food groups (cereal grains and pasta; fats and oils; spices and herbs) and were few in 14 food groups (baked products; beef products; finfish and shellfish products; dairy and egg products; poultry products; fast foods; legumes and legume products; soups, sauces, and gravies; pork products; lamb, veal, and game products; nut and seed products; sweets; sausages and luncheon meats; meals, entrees, and side dishes).

Suggested citation: Forouzesh, Abed; Forouzesh, Fatemeh; Samadi Foroushani, Sadegh; Forouzesh, Abolfazl. A new method for calculating vitamin C content and determining appropriate vitamin C levels in foods. SSRN 2022. DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.4133651