Current Status of Nutrient Fortification in Processed Foods and Food Fortification Policies in Other Countries

ABSTRACT

Nutrition fortification of processed foods with microelements is a popular practice in many countries to improve nutritional status of target population. In this study the current food fortification in Korea was evaluated and the regulations and guidelines for food fortification in other countries were presented. Most commonly added nutrients were calcium, vit.C, fiber, vit.Bs and iron. The level of fortified nutrients and the vehicle foods were variable. vit.C and fiber appeared to be overfortified in some foods and the necessity of fortification of these nutrients needs to be examined since the intakes of these elements appears to meet the RDA. Most of other nutrients such as vit.A, vit.B1, vit.B2, and iron were added at the level of 10~25% RDA per serving size. The vehicle foods for fortification were snacks, milk, ramyun, breakfast cereal, juices, candies and ready-to-eat retort pouch foods but not rice which is a staple food in Korea. The guideline and regulation for food fortification is required to ensure safe and proper supplementation of needed nutrients in processed foods.