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

About 97.5% of foods contained zinc. On the basis of the proposed method, the average (%) of foods containing appropriate zinc levels in food groups was 34.39%, of which 17.63% was the average of zinc source (good source of zinc) foods, and 16.76% was the average of high zinc (excellent source of zinc) foods. Beef products with 98.71%, lamb, veal, and game products with 94.89%, pork products with 90.32%, poultry products with 80%, breakfast cereals with 61.67%, baby foods with 61.64%, sausages and luncheon meats with 55.69%, nut and seed products with 44.44%, fast foods with 39.29%, American Indian/Alaska Native foods with 36.36%, legumes and legume products with 33.13%, restaurant foods with 30.43%, finfish and shellfish products with 24.53%, meals, entrees, and side dishes with 22.5%, dairy and egg products with 20.88%, and cereal grains and pasta with 20.44% had the highest averages of foods containing appropriate zinc levels. Foods containing appropriate zinc levels were not found in three food groups (fats and oils; fruits and fruit juices; spices and herbs) and were very few in three food groups (baked products; sweets; vegetables and vegetable products).

Suggested citation: Forouzesh, Abed; Forouzesh, Fatemeh; Samadi Foroushani, Sadegh; Forouzesh, Abolfazl. A new method for calculating zinc content and determining appropriate zinc levels in foods. SSRN 2022. DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.4133664