RESUMEN
Sodium, potassium, arsenic, selenium and tin have been determined in 38 different types of domestic and imported fresh fruits. All samples (n = 242) were analysed for Na und K whereas a limited number of samples (n = 85) of each fruit type was selected for the determination of As, Se and Sn. The median contents, in mass fractions of the edible portion, found for fresh fruits are: Na less than 0.001%; K 0.17%; As 4 micrograms/kg; Se 2 micrograms/kg and Sn less than 0.05 mg/kg. The corresponding 90th percentile values are: Na 0.002%, K 0.34%; As 12 micrograms/kg; Se 10 micrograms/kg and Sn 0.10 mg/kg. Results for selenium reported here differ substantially from those given for a number of fresh fruits in the German Food Composition Tables 1986/1987. The average consumption of 129 g fresh fruit by Dutch citizens in the age category of 22-75 years contributes, in general, marginally to the total daily dietary intake of sodium, arsenic, selenium and tin. Fresh fruit can contribute substantially, up to 23%, to the average oral daily intake of potassium.