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Concentrations of nitrate and nitrite have been determined in a range of foods and the dietary intake estimated from the MAFF Total Diet Study. The estimated dietary intake of nitrate ion for the UK population was 54 mg/day and the estimated dietary intake of nitrite ion was in the range 2.4-4.2 mg/day in 1985. The main source of nitrate in the diet is from the consumption of vegetables.

Concentrations of tin and lead in canned foods have been monitored since 1983 to determine the effects of recent changes in can-making technology. In the sample studied the proportion of foods contained in non-soldered as opposed to soldered cans has risen consistently during the survey and now accounts for 83% of all samples (excluding sardines). Foods contained in non-soldered cans have lower lead concentrations than those contained in soldered cans and this changeover is likely to result in a decrease in dietary lead intakes in the UK.