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Nutrient composition of foods provided by school canteens in Bahrain

Abdulrahman O. Musaiger (Bahrain Centre for Studies and Research, Bahrain)
Jassim H. Al‐Jedah (Central Food Laboratory, National Authority of Health, Qatar, and)
Reshma D'Souza (Bahrain Center for Studies and Research, Bahrain)

Nutrition & Food Science

ISSN: 0034-6659

Article publication date: 24 July 2007

798

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study is to determine the nutritional profile of foods provided by the governmental school canteens in Bahrain.

Design/methodology/approach

Nine types of foods commonly provided in 45 schools in Bahrain were analyzed for their proximate, mineral and heavy metal composition. Proximate composition was determined by measuring the moisture, ash, fat, protein (N × 6.25), crude fiber and carbohydrate content. Minerals and heavy metals were measured using flame or atomic absorption spectroscopy. Fatty acids were analyzed by gas liquid chromatography (GLC), as their methyl esters and sterols in the extracted fat were determined quantitatively by GLC.

Findings

Proximate analysis indicated protein content in the range of 8.14‐12.52 g/100 g, while fat content was below 10 g/100 g in all the foods, except thymes bakery (16.87 g/100 g). Consequently, thymes bakery also had higher energy values (376.15 kcal/100 g). Carbohydrates ranged between 33.86 and 47.29 g/100 g and fiber was high in the broad beans sandwich (1.16 g/100 g). Liver sandwich had considerable amount of iron (43.8 ppm), zinc (23.8 ppm) and potassium (3,360 ppm), while pizza was a good source of calcium (2,190 ppm). Lead was detected in 89 per cent of the foods, the highest being in pizza (0.234 ppm), being but contamination was well within the permitted limit. Aluminum was detected in 78 per cent of the foods, the highest level being observed in the chicken sandwich (10.8 ppm).

Originality/value

The results of this study can be utilized to improve the nutritive value of foods provided in the school feeding programme in the country.

Keywords

Citation

Musaiger, A.O., Al‐Jedah, J.H. and D'Souza, R. (2007), "Nutrient composition of foods provided by school canteens in Bahrain", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 37 No. 4, pp. 246-253. https://doi.org/10.1108/00346650710774613

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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