The aim of this study was to characterise the variety of foods consumed across European countries based on foods selected in a total diet study (TDS) approach, where data was provided by the EFSA Comprehensive Database^{( 1 )}. This database was developed from national food consumption surveys and represents data for seven population groups across 22 European countries. TDS foods were selected if they satisfied the criteria of 90% of the weight of the total diet and a consumer rate ⩾5%. Selected TDS foods were grouped into 1 of 20 food groups. Differences in the number of selected TDS foods per food group per country are presented, with the view of defining representative food lists.

Total number of foods consumed in each country were: 1233, 19334, 975, 1681, 1055, 443 respectively.

The results indicate that the French appear to have the greatest variety in their diet with 101 TDS foods selected, while the Czech Republic shows a lesser variation with just 46 foods selected. Although differences in survey methodology may have contributed to these figures, the results may suggest that France consume a more varied diet in comparison to the other countries studied here. This may support earlier research on the French paradox⁽ Reference Ferrieres ^{2 )} but also suggests that any TDS list for France will be longer than that for any other European country.