Fructose consumption in the Netherlands: the Dutch national food consumption survey 2007-2010

Background/objectives: Despite the worldwide scientific and media attention, the actual fructose consumption in many non-US populations is not clear. The aim of this study was to estimate the fructose consumption and its main food sources in a representative sample of the general Dutch population. Subjects/methods: In all, 3817 children and adults aged 7–69 years from the Dutch National Food Consumption Survey 2007–2010 were studied. Values for fructose content of the products were assigned using several food composition tables. Diet was assessed with two nonconsecutive 24-h dietary recalls. The Multiple Source Method was used to take into account day-to-day variation and to estimate the habitual fructose consumption. Results: Median habitual fructose intake was 46¿g/day, with an interquartile range of 35–60¿g/day. In boys, the highest median intake was observed among 14- to 18-year olds: 61¿g/day. In girls, those aged 9–13 years reported the highest median intake: 56¿g/day. Of total fructose intake, 67% was consumed in the form of sucrose and 33% was consumed as free fructose. Soft drinks constituted the main food source of total fructose (13–29% across age and sex categories), followed by juices (9–12%), fruit (9–18%), cake and cookies (9–11%) and dairy products (6–10%). Conclusions: Fructose comprised 9% of the mean daily energy intake in the general Dutch population aged 7–69 years. The fructose consumption was somewhat lower than most recent figures from the US. The main food sources of fructose were soft drinks, juices and fruit.