Contribution of fortified margarines and other plant-based fats to micronutrient intake in the Netherlands

Marjolein H De Jong,Eline L Nawijn,Janneke Verkaik-Kloosterman

doi:10.1007/s00394-021-02757-z

Abstract

PurposeIn the Netherlands, margarines and other plant-based fats (fortified fats) are encouraged to be fortified with vitamin A and D, by a covenant between the Ministry of Health and food manufacturers. Frequently, these types of fats are also voluntarily fortified with other micronutrients. The current study investigated the contribution of both encouraged as well as voluntary fortification of fortified fats on the micronutrient intakes in the Netherlands.MethodsData of the Dutch National Food Consumption Survey (2012–2016; N = 4, 314; 1–79 year.) and the Dutch Food Composition Database (NEVO version 2016) were used to estimate micronutrient intakes. Statistical Program to Assess Dietary Exposure (SPADE) was used to calculate habitual intakes and compared to dietary reference values, separate for users and non-users of fortified fats.ResultsOf the Dutch population, 84% could be considered as user of fortified fats. Users consumed mostly 1 fortified fat a day, and these fats contributed especially to the total micronutrient intake of the encouraged fortified micronutrients (vitamins D and A; 44% and 29%, respectively). The voluntary fortification also contributed to total micronutrient intakes: between 7 and 32%. Vitamin D and A intakes were up to almost double among users compared to non-users. Intakes were higher among users for almost all micronutrients voluntarily added to fats. Higher habitual intakes resulted into higher risks of excessive vitamin A-intakes among boys and adult women users.ConclusionConsumption of fortified fats in the Netherlands resulted into higher vitamin A and D-intakes among users, compared to non-users of these products.

Highlights

To support health, optimal micronutrient intakes are essential [1]
A large part of the Dutch population was a user of fortified fats on at least one of the two recall days (Table 1)
With 84% of the Dutch population being a consumer of fortified fats, fortified fat consumption is very common in the Netherlands

Summary

Introduction

Optimal micronutrient (vitamins and minerals) intakes are essential [1]. Since inadequate micronutrient intakes may lead to deficiency diseases, sufficient micronutrient intake should be promoted. Excessive intakes should be avoided, since these might result into adverse health effects. In many countries, including the Netherlands, at least for some micronutrients the intakes are suboptimal [2]. Food fortification is a common strategy to improve micronutrient intakes in a whole population. In the Netherlands, low micronutrient intake is generally a problem

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