Number 68 July 95
MAFF UK - NUTRIENT ANALYSIS OF PIZZAS
Index to MAFF UK Food Surveillance Information
Sheets, 1995
See also:
147: MAFF UK - Nutrient Analysis of
Ethnic Takeaway Foods (May 1998)
Summary
MAFF has recently carried out a survey to determine the nutrient composition
of a range of pizzas purchased from catering and retail outlets.
Background
This survey was part of the Ministry's ongoing surveillance of nutrient
levels in food. It was commissioned in order to provide up to date nutritional
information on a range of pizzas. The survey was needed in order to update and
greatly extend nutrient data for a product that has become increasingly popular
in recent years, and to reflect the range of pizzas now available.
The results will be used in MAFF's dietary surveys, particularly the
National Food Survey (which now records food consumed outside the home) and the
forthcoming National Diet and Nutrition Survey of children aged 4 to 18 years.
In addition, they will be incorporated into McCance and Widdowson's The
Composition of Foods.
Survey
Pizzas were categorised according to place of purchase (i.e. catering or
retail outlets) and type of base (i.e. thin, thick or deep pan, French bread).
Within each of these, pizzas were further categorised by the main topping (i.e.
cheese and tomato only, meat, ham and pineapple, fish, chicken, and vegetable).
Pizzas purchased from retail outlets were also split into frozen and chilled;
these samples were cooked before analysis. A total of 18 composite samples,
including two pizza bases, were analysed, with each composite sample comprising
about 10 sub-samples purchased from a range of catering or retail outlets.
Analyses were carried out for proximates, individual sugars, inorganics,
vitamins, fatty acids and sterols. Some information on portion sizes was also
obtained.
Contact point
The report of the survey is held in the MAFF Library at Nobel House, 17
Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR (Tel: +44 (0) 171 238 6573).
Further enquiries should be addressed to:
Mrs Susan Church
MAFF, Food Safety and Science Group
Consumers and
Nutrition Policy Division
Room 350 Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London
SW1P 3JR
Tel: +44 (0) 171 238 5764
Fax: +44 (0) 171 238 6591
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