Vitamin food fortification today

Historically, food fortification has served as a tool to address population-wide nutrient deficiencies such as rickets by vitamin D fortified milk. This article discusses the different policy strategies to be used today. Mandatory or voluntary fortification and fortified foods, which the consumer ne...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Maria de Lourdes Samaniego-Vaesken, Elena Alonso-Aperte, Gregorio Varela-Moreiras
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Swedish Nutrition Foundation 2012-04-01
Series:Food & Nutrition Research
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.foodandnutritionresearch.net/index.php/fnr/article/view/5459/21352
Description
Summary:Historically, food fortification has served as a tool to address population-wide nutrient deficiencies such as rickets by vitamin D fortified milk. This article discusses the different policy strategies to be used today. Mandatory or voluntary fortification and fortified foods, which the consumer needs, also have to comply with nutritional, regulatory, food safety and technical issues. The ‘worldwide map of vitamin fortification’ is analysed, including differences between develop and developing countries. The vitamins, folate and vitamin D, are taken as practical examples in the review of the beneficial effect of different strategies on public health. The importance of the risk–benefit aspect, as well as how to identify the risk groups, and the food vehicles for fortification is discussed.
ISSN:1654-6628
1654-661X