Consumption data are baseline data that can be used for several scientific studies in the areas of food and health.

This data is fundamental for two main purposes, the assessment of the nutritional status of a population and the food risk assessment:

1. Assessment of the nutritional status of a population: through the compilation and analysis of consumption data it is possible to verify the adequacy of the energy, nutrients and other food components intakes, by comparing with the available recommendations for the different population groups;
2. Food risk assessment: this is a scientific process composed by four steps, of which the third is the exposure assessment. The exposure assessment is the qualitative or quantitative assessment of chemical, physical or biologic hazards intake. To perform this assessment, the food consumption patterns are required, and this information can be obtained by food consumption surveys.

On this page will be presented information about food intake studies performed in Portugal.