We aimed to assess the dietary Fe intake and the prevalence of inadequate Fe intake over two post-fortification periods in Brazil. The intake was analysed according to sex, life stage, geographic region and stratum of family income per capita. Excluding pregnant and lactating women, this population-based study included 32 749 and 44 744 participants aged ≥ 10 years from the National Dietary Survey-Brazilian Household Budget Surveys 2008–2009 and 2017–2018, respectively. The National Cancer Institute method was used to predict usual dietary Fe intakes. The prevalence of Fe intake inadequacy was estimated following a probabilistic approach for women of childbearing age or with the Estimated Average Requirement cut-off point method. Over an interval of 10 years, the mean Fe intake remained almost unchanged for most sex-age groups, except for women of childbearing age. In this specific group, the prevalence of Fe intake inadequacy was > 20 % in 2008–2009 and have increased to > 25 % in 2017–2018, with the highest reductions in mean Fe intake found in the highest income strata and richest Brazilian regions. Meanwhile, the highest prevalence of Fe intake inadequacy (> 40 %) occurred among the poorest women aged 31–50 years from the lowest family income stratum, irrespective of the study period. Beans were the main Fe source, while fortified breads, pastas, pizzas, cakes and cookies contributed approximately 40 % of the Fe intake. The results provide important insights into the long-standing dietary impacts of food fortification, which can guide future (re)formulation of effective public health strategies to combat Fe deficiency.

This cross-sectional, population-based study aimed to estimate the prevalence of dietary mineral inadequacies among residents in urban areas of Sao Paulo, to identify foods contributing to mineral intake and to verify possible associations between socio-demographic and lifestyle factors and mineral intake. Data were obtained from the 2008 Health Survey of Sao Paulo (n 1511; mean age 43·6 (sd 23·2), range 14–97 years). Dietary intake of minerals was measured using two 24-h dietary recalls. Socio-demographic and lifestyle data were collected. The prevalence of inadequate intake was estimated according to Dietary Reference Intakes methods. Associations between mineral intake and baseline factors were determined using multiple linear regression. Na, Ca and Mg showed the highest dietary inadequacies. Some age/sex groups had lower intakes of P, Zn, Cu and Se. Rice, beans and bread were the main foods contributing towards mineral intake. Female sex was negatively associated with K, Na, P, Mg, Zn and Mn intakes. All age groups were positively associated with the intakes of K, P, Mg and Mn. Family income above one minimum wage was positively associated with Se intake. Living in a household whose head completed ≥10 years of education was positively associated with Ca and negatively associated with Na intake. Former smoker status was negatively associated with Ca intake. Current smoker status was inversely associated with K, Ca, P and Cu intakes. Sufficient physical activity was positively associated with K, Ca and Mg intakes. Overall, the intakes of all major minerals were inadequate and were influenced by socio-demographic and lifestyle factors.