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Food fortification in the United States
1U.S. Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center at Beltsville, MD, USA.
Nutrition Reviews
|February 1, 1997
Summary
Nutrient fortification policies in the U.S. need updating. Current formulas, unchanged for 50 years, fail to meet modern nutritional needs and address emerging concerns about micronutrient intake.
Area of Science:
- Food Science
- Nutrition Policy
- Public Health
Background:
- U.S. nutrient fortification policies have remained static for 50 years.
- While classical deficiencies have decreased, the food supply has changed, raising new micronutrient concerns.
- A 1974 policy for cereal grain products outlined six endorsement conditions for fortification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the continued relevance of existing nutrient fortification policies.
- To identify deficiencies in current fortification endorsement criteria.
- To propose new approaches for updating U.S. food fortification strategies.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of historical U.S. government fortification policies.
- Review of the 1974 Food and Nutrition Board's proposed fortification policy for cereal grain products.
- Assessment of current food supply changes and emerging micronutrient intake concerns.
Main Results:
- Nutrient fortification formulas have not been updated in 50 years.
- Three of the six fortification endorsement conditions from the 1974 policy are no longer adequate.
- Existing policies do not fully address contemporary nutritional needs or concerns.
Conclusions:
- Current nutrient fortification policies require significant revision.
- Outdated criteria hinder effective public health nutrition strategies.
- New approaches are necessary to ensure adequate micronutrient intake in the U.S. population.