Happy Little Vegemites™! An analysis of the contribution of yeast extract spreads and tomato‐based sauces to nutrient intake adequacy in Australia

Background: Yeast extract spreads and tomato‐based sauces (i.e., ketchup) are consumed regularly by the Australian population. Therefore, there is a need to explore the contribution of these condiments to nutrient intakes among Australians.
Methods: The present study comprises a secondary analysis of data from the 2011–2012 Australian National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. Dietary intake data were undertaken for 12,153 Australians aged ≥ 2 years, using 24‐h recalls. Yeast extract spreads and tomato‐based sauces were categorised based on how they were defined in the Australian Food and Nutrient (AUSNUT) 2011–2013 database. Kruskal–Wallis H tests and the post‐hoc Dunn's test with Bonferroni correction were applied to test whether a significant difference existed in the percentage contribution of yeast extract spreads and tomato‐based sauces to intakes of select nutrients.
Results: In total, 19.6% (n = 2384) of the population sample consumed yeast extract spreads and/or tomato‐based sauces during the 24‐h recall. The percentage contribution of yeast extract spreads to daily intakes of sodium, potassium, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, magnesium, iron, zinc and iodine were significantly higher in line with a greater quantity of yeast extract spread consumed (p < 0.05). The percentage contribution of tomato‐based sauces to daily intakes of sodium, potassium, riboflavin, niacin, folate, beta‐carotene, magnesium, iron, zinc and iodine was increased significantly with a greater quantity of tomato‐based sauces consumed (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Consumption of yeast extracts and tomato‐based sauces contribute to greater intake of key nutrients, such as B‐vitamins and beta‐ carotene, and may assist in meeting key nutrient reference values. However, consumption of these sauces and condiments also resulted in greater intakes of sodium, contributing to population intakes exceeding recommendations. Reducing sodium content of frequently consumed condiments may potentially assist in lowering population intakes, at the same time as preserving intakes of other important nutrients.