fortification and supplementation Flashcards
what is fortification
The practice of deliberately increasing the content of essential micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) in a food to improve the nutritional quality of the food supply and to provide health benefit with minimal risk to health.
The addition of nutrients to foods irrespective of whether or not the nutrients were originally present in the food.
what is enrichment
The addition of nutrients to a food to replace nutrients lost during processing.
what is restoration
Nutrients unavoidably lost during processing, storage or handling are replaced
what is substitution
Nutrients added to produce a substitute product with similar nutritive value, e.g. voluntary addition of Ca to soya based drinks.
what does fortification help us with
achieve recommended intakes.
why do manufacturer add nutrients to foods
To differentiate them from other products and provide a competitive advantage.
the choice of foods that can be fortified depend on what
The dietary habits of the population.
Technological limitations (e.g. vitamin B12 is unstable in acid conditions).
what staple foods have been fortified
Cereal products (e.g. flour & breakfast cereals)
Milk products (e.g. low fat milk powders are sometimes fortified with vitamins A & D).
Sugar, oil and salt are also fortified in some countries.
what safety and technical considerations have to be taken into consideration when fortifying foods
Intakes of the nutrients from unfortified foods.
Anticipated consumption of the food to be fortified.
Bioavailability of the added nutrients.
Likely impact of fortification on overall intake of the nutrient(s).
Risk of excessive intakes of the added nutrients by ‘extreme’ consumers of a food.
Sensory qualities.
how are fats and spreads currently fortified
voluntary fortification of vits A & D.
how are cereal and wheat products currently fortified
mandatory fortification of wheat flour (except wholemeal) with Fe, B1 & niacin, and all flours (except wholemeal & some self-raising varieties) with Ca.
how are breakfast cereals currently fortified
many fortified on voluntary basis.
how are food products for vegans and vegetarians currently fortified
fortified voluntarily with vitamin B12.
how are infant foods currently fortified
fortified with Fe & vitamin D.
what are the 5 types of fortification
Mass fortification
Targeted fortification
Market-driven fortification
Household & community fortification
Biofortification of staple foods
what is mass fortification
The addition of 1 or more micronutrients to foods commonly consumed by the public.
Usually instigated, mandated and regulated by Government.
what is target fortification
Foods aimed at specific subgroups are fortified to increase intakes in particular groups
what is market driven fortification
Voluntary fortification of processed foods.
More widespread in industrialised countries.
what is household and community fortification
Combination of supplementation & fortification, with a focus on complementary foods for young children.
Approaches include micronutrient powder (“sprinkles”), crushable tablets, soluble tablets and fat-based spreads.
what is Biofortification of staple foods
Breeding and genetic modification of plants to improve nutrient content and/or absorption.
Efficacy and effectiveness needs to be proven, whilst considering safety, cost and impact on the environment.
what the definition of supplements
Concentrated sources of nutrients or other substances with a nutritional or physiological effect that are marketed in “dose” form (e.g. pills, tablets, capsules, liquids in measured doses).
the EU, legislation regulates what about supplements
the vitamins, minerals and substances used as their sources, which can be used in their manufacturing.
For other ingredients, the European Commission protects consumers against potential health risks and maintains a list of substances known/suspected to have adverse effects on health and controls their use.
what does the eat well guide say about supplements
“Most people can get all the nutrients their body needs by eating healthily. However, some people do need certain supplements.”
If you are planning a pregnancy, you should take a daily 400 μg folic acid supplement from the time you stop using contraception until the 12th week of pregnancy.
Everyone should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 μg vitamin D during autumn and winter
what are the recommendations for cancer prevention through supplements
high dose dietary supplements are not recommended for cancer prevention
you should aim to meet nutritional needs through diet alone
Trials of high dose supplements have not consistently demonstrated what
the protective effects of micronutrients suggested by observational studies.
Some trials have shown unexpected adverse effects.
For most people, it is possible to obtain adequate nutrition from a healthy diet.
what are the risks of supplementation
Most are safe if taken in the correct dose.
Internet products may not meet UK standards.
Water-soluble versus fat-soluble vitamins.
Wasting money!
Interactions with medications.
Cod liver oil dangerous for pregnant women.
Avoid vitamin E supplements for people with CVD.
Effervescent vitamin supplements may contain ~1g salt per tablet.
who needs vit D supplements
10 micrograms per day (everyone).
who needs folic acid supplements
400 micrograms per day (women trying to conceive and in first 12 weeks of pregnancy).
who needs vit B12 supplements
vegans if not consuming fortified foods.
