More vitamin D in UK foods than previously: Study

By Shane STARLING

- Last updated on GMT

“Our analysis suggests that nutrient databases require regular updating, especially for nutrients that are added to foods by manufacturers..."
“Our analysis suggests that nutrient databases require regular updating, especially for nutrients that are added to foods by manufacturers..."

Related tags Nutrition Vitamin d Vitamin

The UK should update vitamin D food and supplement content estimations that have the knock-on effect of distorting population intake levels of the sunshine vitamin by about 3%, a study has concluded.

The researchers looked at 289 vitamin D-fortified foods catalogued in 2008 and 2010 in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) Nutrient Databank and compared levels with industry websites, trade associations and manufacturers, and nutrition labelling on pack.  

When they came to look at the data they found only 257 of the fortified foods remained on-market, with 31 having their vitamin D content altered, especially breakfast cereals, fat spreads and powdered malt drinks. 8 other foods were newly vitamin D-fortified.

When typical vitamin D overages were applied – the amount manufacturers typically overdose to account for shelf life degradation – the researchers said intake underestimation increased to 6%.

“Our analysis suggests that nutrient databases require regular updating, especially for nutrients that are added to foods by manufacturers,”​ the researchers concluded.

“Moving forward, we recommend that these new estimates of the vitamin D content of fortified foods and supplements should be used for future estimates of vitamin D intake in the UK until a further periodic update is conducted.”

The researchers noted vitamin D-fortified foods introduced after 2011 were not included and the food supplement picture was not complete due to the nature of international online sales.

NDNSvitD2

In the study vitamin D included both ergocalciferol (D2​) and cholecalciferol (D3​).

Source:

Nutrition Bulletin

September 2014, Volume 39, Issue 3, ​pages 247–252 (Article first published online: 14/08/2014, DOI: 10.1111/nbu.12099)

‘Update of the vitamin D content of fortified foods and supplements in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey Nutrient Databank’

Authors:R. E. Allen, ​A. D. Dangour, ​A. E. Tedstone

Related news

Show more

Related products

show more

LocVita® D3: Tailored Formulas & Beadlet Solutions

LocVita® D3: Tailored Formulas & Beadlet Solutions

Content provided by INNOBIO Corporation Limited | 11-Mar-2024 | White Paper

LocVita® Vegan Vitamin D3 delivers specially formulated options that are sugar-free and organic, designed to accommodate various dietary preferences and...

Stay one step ahead in the collagen market

Stay one step ahead in the collagen market

Content provided by Bioiberica | 26-Feb-2024 | White Paper

It's no secret that interest in collagen is at an all-time high – especially for joint health. This presents a real opportunity for manufacturers...

Krill oil supports six key areas of healthy aging

Krill oil supports six key areas of healthy aging

Content provided by Aker BioMarine | 14-Feb-2024 | White Paper

The global population is getting older—according to WHO by 2050 the world’s population over 60 years will double and the population above 80 years will...

Related suppliers

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars