Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) increases total caloric intake, is linked to cardiometabolic outcomes as well as dental caries, and sugar in SSBs is associated with mortality and frailty among adults. We describe energy and total sugar intake trends among the United States (US) population from SSBs, soft drinks, other beverage groups, and the total diet based on the first 24-h recall data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles (2003–2004 through 2015–2016). SSBs included soft drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, and fruit drinks, but excluded sports beverages with protein and sweetened teas/coffees. Among the total population (age ≥2 years: 57,026), energy intake from SSBs declined significantly from 183.9 ± 6.9 mean kcal/d (±SE) in 2003–2004 to 95.0 ± 3.5 in 2015–2016, while total sugar intake declined from 43.6 ± 1.7 mean g/d to 22.3 ± 0.8 (p-trend < 0.0001). Decreases were found for energy and total sugar intake, as well as percentage of energy and total sugar intake from SSBs, soft drinks, and all beverages for all age groups examined (≥2, 2–19, ≥20 years) (p-trend < 0.0001). From 2003 to 2016, energy and sugar intake from all beverages, SSBs, soft drinks, and the total diet decreased among the total population, children, and adults.

Controversy continues concerning antimicrobial use in food animals and its relationship to drug-resistant infections in humans. We systematically reviewed published literature for evidence of a relationship between antimicrobial use in agricultural animals and drug-resistant foodborne campylobacteriosis in humans. Based on publications from the United States (U.S.), Canada and Denmark from 2010 to July 2014, 195 articles were retained for abstract review, 50 met study criteria for full article review with 36 retained for which data are presented. Two publications reported increase in macrolide resistance of Campylobacter coli isolated from feces of swine receiving macrolides in feed, and one of these described similar findings for tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones. A study in growing turkeys demonstrated increased macrolide resistance associated with therapeutic dosing with Tylan® in drinking water. One publication linked tetracycline-resistant C. jejuni clone SA in raw cow's milk to a foodborne outbreak in humans. No studies that identified farm antimicrobial use also traced antimicrobial-resistant Campylobacter from farm to fork. Recent literature confirms that on farm antibiotic selection pressure can increase colonization of animals with drug-resistant Campylobacter spp. but is inadequately detailed to establish a causal relationship between use of antimicrobials in agricultural animals and prevalence of drug-resistant foodborne campylobacteriosis in humans.

Low-calorie sweeteners (LCSs), artificial sweeteners, or high-intensity sweeteners are incorporated into foods, beverages, and food and beverage additions (FBAs). Many prior studies have focused on LCS beverage consumption, but not included LCS consumption from foods or FBAs. We aimed to describe the prevalence of LCS consumption by US adults, and to examine the relation between intake of products containing LCSs and macronutrients. Two nonconsecutive 24-h dietary recalls from NHANES 2007–2012 and the National Cancer Institute usual intake method were used to estimate prevalence of LCS intake from foods, beverages, and FBAs, and macronutrients among US adults aged ≥19 y (n = 14,098, weighted n = 218,391,752) in a cross-sectional study. The prevalence of LCS consumption from reported foods, beverages, and FBAs among US adults was examined by sociodemographic characteristics and body mass index (BMI). Logistic regression estimated ORs and 95% CIs for associations between sociodemographic characteristics and LCS use (overall and in foods, beverages, and FBAs). Among adults, 47.8% reported intake of ≥1 food, beverage, or FBA containing LCSs over 2 d. Intake was higher among: women non-Hispanic whites, college graduates or higher, and those with higher income and obese BMIs (P < 0.001). Intake of beverages containing LCSs was higher for ages 51–70 y than 19–30 y and those with overweight and obese BMIs (P < 0.001) than for normal-weight individuals. Calories, carbohydrate, and sugar intake were lower and fiber was higher in LCS-consumers than in nonconsumers. Specifically, calories from beverages were lower in those who reported LCS intake. Individuals reporting LCS consumption demonstrated lower total energy intake than did individuals without LCS intake. Although the main source of LCSs in the US adult diet was beverages (31.9%), we found that FBAs also present a significant contribution (25.2%), surpassing food (9.3%). This enables targeted understanding of national consumption of these products as well as dietary education and intervention opportunities.

Controversy continues concerning antimicrobial use in food animals and its relationship to drug-resistant infections in humans. We systematically reviewed published literature for evidence of a relationship between antimicrobial use in agricultural animals and drug-resistant meat or dairy-borne non-typhoidal salmonellosis in humans. Based on publications from the United States (U.S.), Canada, and Denmark from January 2010 to July 2014, 858 articles received title and abstract review, 104 met study criteria for full article review with 68 retained for which data are presented. Antibiotic exposure in both cattle and humans found an increased likelihood of Salmonella colonization, whereas in chickens, animals not exposed to antibiotics (organic) were more likely to be Salmonella positive and those that had antibiotic exposure were more likely to harbor antimicrobial resistant Salmonella organisms. In swine literature, only tylosin exposure was examined and no correlation was found among exposure, Salmonella colonization, or antimicrobial resistance. No studies that identified farm antimicrobial use also traced antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella from farm to fork.

Nutrients are added to the diet through fortification/enrichment and dietary supplements (DSs). Meeting the US Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) varies by nutrient and population subsegments. The aim of this study was to assess the relative role of naturally occurring, enriched/fortified, and DS sources of 15 micronutrients with reference to the DRIs. We used the NHANES 2009–2012 (≥2 y old, n = 16,975) data, the ILSI North America Fortification database, and the National Cancer Institute usual intake method. Prevalence of nutrient intake from naturally occurring sources below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) varied from 5% for vitamin B-12 to 100% for vitamin D, with ≥40% of the population below the EAR for 8 of the 14 nutrients (ages ≥2 y). With enrichment/fortification, the percentage below the EAR decreased to the following for vitamins A (35%), C (34%), and B-6 (7%), folate (8%), thiamin (5%), riboflavin (3%), niacin (1%), and iron (2%). Nutrients from DSs further improved intakes related to the EAR for 12 nutrients (ages ≥2 y). For 9–18-y-olds, the percentages of nutrient intakes below the EAR were 14–50% higher than for 2–8-y-olds. The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) was exceeded among children aged 2–8 y for folate (41.7%), niacin (10.1%), and zinc (39.9%), whereas among ages ≥2 y and 9–18 y no prevalence of intakes over the UL exceeded 10%. Fortification/enrichment constitutes a meaningful contribution to reducing the percentage of individuals with less than the EAR for their demographic. These data underscore the need to encourage better dietary patterns to improve the intake of nutrients at risk of low intake.

In the United States (U.S.), food fortification and/or enrichment and dietary supplement (DS) use impacts nutrient intakes. Our aim was to examine race/ethnicity and income (Poverty Income Ratio, PIR) differences in meeting the Dietary Reference Intakes based on estimated dietary intakes among the U.S. population age ≥2 years (n = 16,975). Two 24-hour recalls from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles 2009–2012 were used to estimate the intake of 15 nutrients as naturally occurring, enriched/fortified, and plus DSs. Across racial/ethnic groups and within PIR categories, significant differences were observed in the %< Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for vitamin A following enrichment/fortification (E/F) and for vitamin B₁₂ and riboflavin following both E/F and DS use when comparing non-Hispanic blacks, Hispanics, and the other race/ethnicity group to non-Hispanic whites. The %<EAR for iron and calcium also differed depending on race/ethnicity within PIR category (p < 0.05). The %<EAR was significantly lower for vitamin D after E/F for Hispanics, and after E/F combined with DS use for vitamins C and B₆ for Hispanics and the other race/ethnicity group than non-Hispanic whites. Non-Hispanic blacks were inadequate in all nutrients examined except vitamin C based on the %<EAR than individuals of other races/ethnicities. Differences in the tolerable upper intake level (UL) of nutrients, especially folate and zinc, also varied by race/ethnicity and PIR category.