The Al, Ca and Mg content of 147 kinds of foods and beverages, representing a large proportion of the Hungarian diet, has been determined using replicate samples. Dietary intakes of these minerals by 67 kindergarten children and 139 schoolchildren have been assessed. The richest sources of Al were: parsley, celery, gherkins, barley-malt; of Ca: dairy products, celery, parsley, savoy; of Mg: dried beans and peas, parsley, dill, maize-flour, rice, gherkins, chocolate. Flavouring agents (e.g. salt, pepper, paprika, caraway-seed) had very high concentrations of all three minerals and poppy-seeds that of Ca and Mg. The presence of bone-dust or fragments elevated the Ca content of some meats and cooked dishes. The main source of dietary intake of all three minerals was food; as opposed to F, the contribution of water-borne Al, Ca and Mg was negligible. Based on average values, the daily intake of all three minerals was satisfactory in both age groups. Mg intake was marginally below the recommended limit for a few children, but no signs of Mg deficiency were seen.