Selenium content of a core group of foods based on a critical evaluation of published analytical data.

References published since 1960 that report analyses of selenium in foods were collected and evaluated according to criteria in five categories: number of samples, analytical method, sample handling, sampling plan, and analytical quality control. Data were grouped by food item and rated according to the criteria that had been developed specifically for evaluating the quality of selenium data. Ratings assigned to the data from each study yielded a Quality Index, indicating which data would be included in the calculation of the mean selenium value for each food item. The Quality Indexes for acceptable studies were summed to determine a Confidence Code, intended to indicate the relative degree of confidence the user can have in each mean selenium value. The selection of selenium core foods was based on their selenium concentration and frequency of consumption. Foods were ranked by multiplying selenium concentration by the amount consumed by the 36,255 individuals who provided 3-day dietary intake data in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 1977-78 Nationwide Food Consumption Survey. Mean, minimum, and maximum selenium values, Confidence Codes, ranks, and references have been compiled for 114 food items. The five most highly ranked food aggregates (beef, white bread, pork, chicken, and eggs) provided half of the selenium accounted for in the diets of the survey respondents.