Last updated on 8-8-2025 by Laïla Boulbayem
Why do we study dietary patterns of the population?
- What we eat and drink has a direct impact on our health and well-being. By studying dietary patterns in the population (What foods are eaten? At what frequency? By whom?), we can identify areas for improvement and make informed decisions to promote better diets. This knowledge helps address the risk of diet-related diseases and supports the development of healthy, sustainable food systems.
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The current page is focused on general consumption of sauces, condiments and spices.
How do we study the consumption of sauces, condiments, and spices?
- The consumption of sauces, condiments, and spices was assessed, overall and for different population groups, using data from two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls. Trained interviewers recorded twice, on two non-consecutive days, all the foods and drinks that participants had consumed on the previous day using a specialised computer program (GloboDiet®).
- The mean sauce, condiment, and spice consumption was calculated using the average consumption, overall and by subcategories of products, over the two recall days of each participant. Since mean distributions are skewed, comparison between population subgroups should be interpreted with caution.
- The detailed methodology can be found here.
What is included in the group of “sauces, condiments, and spices”?
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This group includes the following subcategories:
- Tomato sauces such as ketchup, tomato salsa, tomato puree, pasta sauce, etc.;
- Other sauces such as curry sauce, béchamel sauce, chutney, mushroom sauce, cheese sauce, etc.;
- Dressings and mayonnaises such as tartare sauce, andalouse sauce, bearnaise sauce, dressings, etc.;
- Mayonnaise-based spreads such as egg salad, tuna salad, chicken salad, etc.;
- Spices, herbs and condiments such as basil, parsley, dry herbs, mustard, sambal, etc.
KEY RESULTS
The mean consumption of sauces, spices, and condiments is 31 g per day
Men consume 37 g per day of sauces, condiments and spices, compared to 26 g per day in women
Consumption of sauces, condiments, and spices is similar among the 10-17 (31 g per day), 40-64 (30 g per day), and 65+ (28 g per day) age groups. Adults 18-39 have the highest consumption (40 g per day), while children 3-9 have the lowest (19 g per day)
By sex
Mean consumption of sauces, condiments, and spices (g/day) in the population aged 3 years and older, by sex, Belgium: 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Mean consumption refers to the population mean consumption, calculated from the individual mean consumption over two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls.
- Overall, the mean consumption of sauces, spices, and condiments is 31 g/day. Tomato-based sauces, dressings, mayonnaises sauces, and other sauces are consumed to a similar extent.
- Men report higher overall consumption of sauces, condiments, and spices (37 g/day) compared to women (26 g/day).
- The mean consumption of the different type of sauces, condiments, and spices remains stable across men and women, with condiments, spices, and herbs least consumed.
By age
Mean consumption of sauces, condiments, and spices (g/day) in the population aged 3 years and older, by age, Belgium: 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Mean consumption refers to population mean consumption, calculated from the individual consumption over two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls.
- Older adults (65 years and above) do not include those residing in care facilities, hospitalised individuals, or those who would have required significant assistance during interviews (e.g., people with cognitive impairments).
- The consumption of sauces, condiments, and spices varied across different age groups. Reports of sauce, condiment, and spice consumption were comparable across the 10-17 age group (31 g/day), the 40-64 age group (30 g/day), and the 65+ age group (28 g/day). Adults aged 18-39 reported the highest consumption levels (40 g/day), while children aged 3-9 years showed the lowest (19 g/day).
By educational level
Mean consumption of sauces, condiments, and spices (g/day) in the population aged 3 years and older, by educational level, Belgium: 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Mean consumption refers to population mean consumption, calculated from the individual consumption over two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls.
- The educational level is calculated at the household level by considering the highest diploma obtained by: (i) the respondents or their partner for adults (aged 18 years and above), or (ii) the father and mother (or carer, if applicable) for children and adolescents (aged 3 to 17 years). However, for simplicity, we refer to the educational level of individuals rather than the educational level of their households.
- Individuals with low, medium, and high levels of educational attainment showed similar mean consumption levels of sauces, condiments and spices (31 g/day, 31 g/day, and 30 g/day, respectively).
- The distribution of the different sauces, spices, and condiments is similar across all educational groups.
By region
Mean consumption of sauces, condiments, and spices (g/day) in the population aged 3 years and older, by region, Belgium: 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Mean consumption refers to the population mean consumption, calculated from the individual mean consumption over two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls.
- Due to an insufficient number of participants, Brussels is excluded from the regional comparison but is included in the national data for Belgium.
- On average, individuals living in Flanders (33 g/day) and Wallonia (29 g/day) show similar daily consumption of sauces, condiments, and spices.
- Mayonnaise-based spreads and other sauces are more commonly consumed in Flanders, while tomato sauces are more common in Wallonia.
Please cite this page as: Sciensano. Food Consumption: Sauces, condiments and spices, Food Consumption Survey 2022-2023, June 2025, Brussels, Belgium, https://www.sciensano.be/en/results-national-food-consumption-survey-2022-2023/food-consumption/sauces-condiments-and-spices