Ordinary statistical methods were used to calculate the arithmetical mean, minimum (Min), maximum (Max) levels and the 95th percentile (P95) on numbers (n) samples of general food groups or product groups. These samples were included in the general food groups or product groups, regardless of the regions and seasons sampled, and of the consumption rate of each food in the group. The distribution of element concentrations in food groups was represented graphically. Among the preponderant or significant food groups (e.g. iron in meat and offal), a figure of the product group was made if more of them contributed to the distribution of the element in the food group. All product group results were expressed as the mean ± standard deviation (error bars) on the corresponding figures. The assessment of significant differences between the product groups was made using Student's t-test. All statistics were performed using the Data Analysis function in Microsoft Office Excel 2007.