To evaluate the impact of the disaggregation of composite foods on intake estimates of meat and individual meat categories and on the contribution of meat to nutrient intakes in Irish adults.

Data were analysed from the North/South Ireland Food Consumption Survey, which used a 7-day food diary to estimate food intake. Of 742 food codes that contained meat, 320 were codes for meat consumed as an individual portion and 422 were composite foods and were disaggregated to estimate the meat content.

A nationally representative sample of 475 men and 483 women (not pregnant or lactating) from the Republic of Ireland aged 18–64 years.

The mean intake of meat was 134 g day−1 in consumers (98.5%) and men (168 g day−1) consumed significantly more (P < 0.001) than women (102 g day−1). Mean intakes of meat were higher in subjects with manual skilled occupations (P < 0.01) and lower in those with third-level educational qualifications (P < 0.05). Without disaggregating meat from composite foods, meat intake was overestimated by 43% (57 g day−1) and varied widely by meat category. Meat disaggregated from composite foods contributed 25% of meat intake. The contribution meat made to nutrient intakes ranged from 29% for protein, vitamin B12, zinc and niacin to 20% for vitamin D, 16% for vitamin B6, 15% for thiamine and 14% for iron.

Failure to disaggregat meat from composite foods substantially overestimates meat intake, with a large variation between meat categories. This has important implications for estimates of meat intakes in nutritional epidemiological studies and for food safety purposes.

To evaluate the contribution of composite foods to vegetable and fruit intakes in Irish adults and to compliance with dietary guidelines for vegetable and fruit intake.

Data were analysed from the North/South Ireland Food Consumption Survey of 18–64-year-old adults (n = 1379; 662 men, 717 women), which used a 7-day food diary to estimate food intake.

The mean intake of vegetables (excluding potatoes) was 140g day−1 (men 149g day−1; women 132g day−1), of fruit was 136 g day−1 (men 133g day−1; women 140 g day−1) and of potatoes was 227 g day−1 (men 296g day−1; women 163 g day−1). The mean daily intakes of vegetables, fruit and potatoes from composite foods were 37 g (26%), 6 g (5%) and 17 g (7%), respectively. The mean intake of vegetables from composite foods was unrelated to age or gender, but increased with increasing social class and level of education attained. The proportions of men and women meeting the recommendation for ≥400g day−1 (5 servings of 80 g per day) of vegetables and fruit were 21% (15% excluding composite foods) and 19% (12% excluding composite foods), respectively. Compliance with the dietary recommendation decreased with decreasing levels of educational attainment and social class.

Intakes of vegetables and fruit are low compared with current dietary recommendations, particularly in those of lower levels of educational attainment and social class. Composite foods are an important source of vegetables (less importantly of fruit) and should be included when estimating vegetable intakes. Failure to do so may result in bias in estimates of intake and of compliance with dietary guidelines for population groups, as well as misclassification of individuals by level of intake.