Abstract
PurposeIn the Netherlands, voluntary fortification of foods with micronutrients is allowed under strict regulations. This study investigates the impact of voluntary food fortification practices in the Netherlands on the frequency and type of fortified food consumption and on the micronutrient intakes of the Dutch population.MethodsData of the Dutch National Food Consumption Survey (2012–2016; N = 4314; 1–79 year) and the Dutch Food Composition Database (NEVO version 2016) was used. To determine if voluntary fortified foods could be classified as healthy foods, criteria of the Dutch Wheel of Five were used. Habitual intakes of users and non-users of voluntary food fortification were calculated using Statistical Program to Assess Dietary Exposure (SPADE) and compared.ResultsWithin the Dutch population, 75% could be classified as user of voluntary fortified foods. Consumed voluntary fortified foods were mostly within food groups ‘Fats and Oils’, ‘Non-alcoholic Beverages’ and ‘Dairy products and Substitutes’ and fell mostly outside the Wheel of Five. Voluntary foods contributed between 9 and 78% to total micronutrient intake of users. Users had up to 64% higher habitual micronutrient intakes, compared to non-users. These higher intakes resulted into lower risks on inadequate intakes, and did not contribute to increased risks of excessive intakes.ConclusionAlthough voluntary fortified foods increased micronutrient intakes, most of these foods cannot be classified as healthy foods. Future studies should study the association between higher micronutrient intakes and (potential) excessive intakes of e.g. saturated fat and sugar to better understand the role of voluntary fortified foods in a healthy food pattern.
Highlights
Three quarters of the Dutch population can be considered as a user of voluntary fortified foods (Table 1)
The current study showed voluntary fortified foods contributed to micronutrient intakes and habitual vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, D and E, calcium, iron and folateequivalent-intakes were higher among users, compared to non-users
The current study showed habitual vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, C, calcium and total folateequivalent intakes were higher among users, which contributed to a lower proportion below the estimated average requirement’ (EAR) for those nutrients
Summary
Micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) are essential for health [1]. Micronutrient intakes of the population are within the boundaries of inadequate and excessive intakes. In many countries, including the Netherlands, at least for some micronutrients the intakes are suboptimal [2]. A strategy to improve the micronutrient intake in a population is food fortification, in the Netherlands, the advice of dietary supplement intakes is more common to improve micronutrient intakes of specific subgroups. Micronutrients are mandatory or voluntarily added to (specific) foods.
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