Critical vulnerabilities of food selections based on nutrient content claims and reference amounts of food and creating a reliable procedure

Abstract Computing the food component (nutrient) amount in 100 kilocalories, 100 grams or 100 milliliters, the reference amount customarily consumed (RACC), or 50 grams of food demonstrates the food component amount of some foods unsuitably. So, selecting some foods based on them may elevate the hazards of some chronic diseases. Computing the food component amount and assessing suitable levels of food components and the nutritional quality according to the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the suggested procedure were implemented on 8,596 food cases, 29 food components, and 25 food categories. Selecting some foods under the FDA and CAC to reach sufficient intakes of positive food components surpassed energy demands. Selecting some foods under the CAC did not satisfy the demands of positive food components. Some foods that satisfied the demands of positive food components were not suitable food selections under the CAC. Selecting some foods under the FDA or CAC surpassed the demands of negative food components (including cholesterol, energy, fat, saturated fat, and sodium). Some foods that did not surpass the demands of negative food components were not suitable food selections under the CAC or FDA. Due to the vulnerabilities of selecting foods on the basis of the reference amounts of food, fast foods under the CAC and FDA in serving size (the serving size or serving is obtained from the RACC), spices and herbs under the CAC in 100 grams or 100 milliliters, and vegetables and vegetable products under the CAC in 100 kilocalories obtained the highest average scores for nutritional quality based on positive food components (including vitamins, protein, dietary fiber, and minerals, excluding sodium) among food categories for children aged four years and older and adults. Graphical Abstract