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The Australian Total Diet Study (ATDS)

FSANZ monitors the food supply to ensure that existing food regulatory measures provide adequate protection of consumer health and safety. The Australian Total Diet Study (ATDS) is part of that monitoring.

The Australian Total Diet Study, formerly known as the Australian Market Basket Survey, is Australia’s most comprehensive assessment of consumers’ dietary exposure (intake) to pesticide residues, contaminants and other substances. The survey is conducted approximately every two years

The study estimates the level of dietary exposure of the Australian population to a range of pesticide residues, contaminants and other substances through the testing of food samples representative of the total diet. In order to achieve more accurate dietary exposure estimates, the foods examined in the ATDS are prepared to a ‘table ready’ state before they are analysed. As a consequence, both raw and cooked foods are examined. For example, the potatoes are cooked.

FSANZ coordinates the study while the States and Northern Territory purchase and prepare the food samples. The Australian Government Analytical Laboratories (AGAL) perform all analyses.

The study also provides valuable background data that can be used for the development of food regulatory measures. Data from previous studies were used by the Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) during the Review of the Food Standards Code and were integral to the development of standards in Volume 2 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. The study is also used by the National Registration Authority for Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals when considering registration of chemical products.

22nd Australian Total Diet Study - published September 2008