Nutrient Analysis Project

Описание: Nutrient Analysis Project in association with the Renal Interest Group of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute - In early 2022 the Public Analyst’s Laboratory was contacted by representatives of the Renal Interest Group (RIG are a subgroup of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute) requesting collaboration on a nutritional analysis project of food and drink items which had been most queried by renal patients. Salt (sodium) levels are routinely labelled on food and drinks, however Potassium and Phosphate are rarely labelled, yet pose significant health risks to renal patients. Elevated levels of Sodium, Potassium and Phosphorus should be avoided in persons with moderate, to severely, impaired kidney function. The lack of readily available nutritional information on Potassium and Phosphate levels means advising on intake levels of specific foodstuffs is difficult.

The Public Analyst’s Laboratory had accredited methods for the analysis of Sodium and Potassium in food and drinks, but not for Phosphate (analysed as Phosphorus). When contacted the lab willingly agreed to accept samples and undertook to develop, validate and accredit, a suitable method for Phosphate analysis.

Samples were purchased and submitted by members of the RIG groups from a variety of national locations and analysis was carried out in the lab. Results were reported to the RIG in interpretable formats, scientific advice was proffered where requested, as well as reporting against labelled values, where possible.

The findings were presented to the national group of Renal Dietitians (May 2022) as well as at the All Ireland Renal Nutrition Study Day hosted by the Renal Interest group of the Irish National Dietetics Institute (November 2022).

The results were noted to “expand our knowledge on food/drink items suitable for our renal patients and highlighted the importance of checking food labels for "hidden" phosphates, particularly in stock cubes. It also helped us establish which fermented foods are ideally suited to a renal diet which was new information for us in addition to lots more new information”.
This project, from a Public Analyst’s Laboratory point of view aligned our goal of contributing to the protection of public health as well as forming cross agency links within the HSE and across hospital groups.