Vitamin D concentrations in fortified foods and dietary supplements intended for infants: Implications for vitamin D intake

• Published in: Food chemistry 2017-04, Vol.221, p.629-635
• Main Authors: Verkaik-Kloosterman, Janneke, Seves, S. Marije, Ocké, Marga C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analytical measurement; Dietary supplements; Dietary Supplements - analysis; Female; Food, Fortified - analysis; Fortified foods; Humans; Infant; Male; Pilot Projects; Vitamin D; Vitamin D - chemistry
• ISSN: 0308-8146; 1873-7072
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.11.128

•Foods with added vitamin D contained 50–153% of the labelled vitamin D content.•Dietary supplements contained 8–177% of the labelled vitamin D content.•Vitamin D content of 3 of 44 products deviated significantly from EU tolerances.•Trusting label information only may result in invalid estimates of intake. Due to potential overages to cover losses during shelf life, the actual vitamin D concentration of fortified foods and dietary supplements may deviate from the label. In this pilot study the vitamin D concentrations of fortified foods (n=29; follow-on formula, baby porridge, curd cheese dessert) and dietary supplements (n=15), both specifically intended for infants, were analytically determined. Compared to the declared values, the vitamin D content ranged from 50% to 153% for fortified foods and from 8% to 177% for supplements. In general, both instant follow-on formula and oil-based supplements had a measured vitamin D content similar to or higher than the labelled value. Ready-to-eat baby porridge was the only category in which all measured vitamin D concentrations were below the declared value (74–81%). The use of label information for fortified foods and dietary supplements may result in invalid estimations of vitamin D intake distributions of infants; both under- and overestimation may occur.