A new study has shown that savoury snacks contribute less fat to the diet of Irish young people than they did just three years ago.

The snack food products include potato crisps, popcorn and nuts and the Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance National Teen's Food Survey 2008 showed that they now contribute less fat and saturated fat to the diet of those under 18 years.

These foods now contribute 5% of fat and just 2% of saturated fat to the diet of Irish teens. The analysis—commissioned by the Snack Food Council of Ireland—showed a reduction of 3% in the dietary intake of saturated fat from savoury snacks compared to the National Children's Food Survey of 2005 when savoury snacks

contributed 6% of fat and 5% of saturated fat to the diet of under 18's.

Chairperson of the Snack Food Council, Nicola Wells, welcomed the findings and said that they are evidence of the positive initiatives taken by industry in recent years.

"The IUNA results are evidence that our member companies have been working hard to reformulate our products to reduce the amount of salt, fat and saturated fat whilst maintaining the great taste that consumers demand," she said.

"This has included initiatives such as changing our cooking methods and ingredients. The results of the IUNA National Teen's Food Survey show that industry, working in cooperation with public health bodies, can have a positive impact."

Three out of four Irish Teens consume savoury products with corn, and maize snacks the most popular, followed by potato crisps, popcorn and nuts.

During the seven-day sample period, Irish teens, on average, consumed 13 grams of savoury snack products or less than one packet per day.

The survey also found that snack foods contributed fibre (7%), Vitamin E (11%), sodium (4%) and Vitamin C (3%) to the diet of Irish teens.

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