Food Sample Collection
and Storage
Data collection on fortified food
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Sample interview questions
• “How many types of white wheat flour do you have in
your house right now?” (Write down brand names of
all types and what mill the flour was purchased from)
• “When you buy salt, what amount of salt does your
household normally buy?” (Write down the brand
name if there is a label and if the packaging says
iodized)
• “How often does your household normally buy salt?”
(Choices such as every day, once a week, or every two
weeks are provided)
More data collection on fortified food
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More sample interview questions
• “Of the types of white wheat flour in your
household, which type does your household buy
most often?” (Write down brand name and from
where the flour was purchased)
• “Do you know if the flour you buy is fortified with
iron or not?” (yes/no)
• “Do you know if the salt you buy is iodized or
not?” (yes/no)
The following information
was taken directly from guidelines
provided by the Instituto de Nutrición
de Centro América y Panamá
(INCAP) in Guatemala
Materials for Salt or Flour
Collection

Propylene plastic bags (2 lb) or plastic bottles (50 g capacity)
 Black plastic bags (25 lb capacity)
 Permanent markers
 1 Spoon
 Scissors
 Data collection forms
 Masking-tape
 Paper napkins
 Rubbish bags
Salt/flour Sampling Procedure
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Label the plastic bag or bottle for salt/flour collection with the
household code. You can use labels or a strip of masking-tape.
The labels should be written using the permanent markers.
Explain to the study participant in simple words the procedure
for taking the sample. The procedure is to request salt/flour
that is used in the household for cooking.
Mix the salt/flour very well and take around 5 spoonfuls.
Deposit them in the bag or bottle.
Seal the sample container and clean the spoon using the paper
napkin.
Put the napkin in the rubbish bag.
Salt/flour Sample Transport and Storage
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Place the samples in the black plastic bag for transport.
It is important to protect the samples from light and humidity
during transport.
On arrival at the laboratory, order the samples sequentially.
Each laboratory should follow their own procedures for sample
reception.
Store the samples in a cool place and free from light and
humidity, until the samples are analyzed or shipped to another
laboratory.
Materials for Bread Collection

Paper bags (5 lb capacity)
 Black plastic bags (25 lb capacity)
 Permanent markers
 Scissors
 Data collection forms
 Masking-tape
 Paper napkins
 Rubbish bags
 Digital scales
Bread Sampling Procedure
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Take the bread samples approximately at the time it is
produced.
Buy or request 5 loaves of bread. If the bread is hot, leave it to
cool down.
Take 5 measurement units of each type of bread and weigh it on
the scales.
Record the weight.
Keep the samples in the paper bags.
Make sure that the bread in the bags does not sweat.
Bread sampling procedure
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Label the bag with masking-tape and write down the following
data:
• Code
• Date of sample collection
• Weight in grams
Record the brand or type of flour used in the bakery or
household on the corresponding forms.
Seal the bags with the masking-tape.
Avoid the bread sweating until they arrive at the laboratory.
Bread Sample Transport and Storage
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Transport the samples in cool boxes, protected from light and
humidity.
On arrival at the laboratory, order the samples sequentially.
Each laboratory should follow their own procedures for sample
reception.
If analyses are not carried out immediately, dry the bread and
store the samples in the freezer, avoiding condensation until
analysis.
Shipment of Food Samples
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If the samples will be sent to a laboratory out of the country or
to one far away in the same country, you should use the
following steps for guidance:
• Buy an adequate sized box for the number of samples that
need to be sent.
• Carefully introduce, close, and seal the samples in the box.
• Close and seal the box very well. Use a good tape to seal it.
• Label the box with the necessary information.
Label for the Food Samples Shipment
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The following information must be included on the sample
shipment box:
• Sender contact information
• Destination: Country, address, and details of the recipient
• Write “FRAGILE” on the labels.
• Specify the need of storage in cool places and free of
humidity.
• State clearly the correct position for transporting the
container, indicating the upper side.
Required transport information for
the food samples shipment
To:
From:
Keep in a cool place free
of moisture
FRAGILE
Keep the box
upright
Shipment of food samples
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Before sending the samples, contact the recipient to agree on a
shipping day. This day preferably would not be during the
weekend, as shipments are likely to suffer delays. If the
weekend is Saturday and Sunday, Monday or Tuesday are
ideal days for shipping.
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Upon confirmation of the flight schedule for the shipment,
send the following information to the recipient: flight number,
airline, courier used, shipping and arrival times, quantity and
the list of samples, and any other useful information.
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Attach the shipping guidelines and authorization forms for the
samples transport. The guidelines should indicate the required
storage temperature for the samples transport.