Total Diet Study

Introduction

The Total Diet Study (TDS), sometimes called the Market Basket Study, is an ongoing FDA program that determines levels of various contaminants and nutrients in foods. Since its inception in 1961 as a program to monitor for radioactive contamination of foods following atmospheric nuclear testing, TDS has grown to encompass additional radionuclides, residues of pesticides, industrial chemicals, toxic and nutritional elements, and folate. In all instances, analyses have been performed on foods that are prepared as they would be consumed (table-ready), so the final results can be used to provide a realistic measure of the dietary intake of these analytes.

This website provides an overview of FDA's Total Diet Study and access to summaries of analytical results and the individual analytical results for TDS samples. Individuals who intend to use the summaries or individual analytical results are urged to review all the information provided here to ensure a good understanding of the study and the data.

Browse the links below to find more specific information on:

• TDS history and current study design
• TDS foods and consumption amounts (TDS Diets)
• Market basket collection sites and dates
• TDS analytes
• Analytical results
• List of references related to the TDS