Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-8bljj Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-17T05:15:44.395Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The contribution of fortified foods to micronutrient intake in Irish adults aged 18–64 years

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 August 2011

A. Hennessy
Affiliation:
School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Republic of Ireland
E. Walsh
Affiliation:
School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Republic of Ireland
J. Walton
Affiliation:
School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Republic of Ireland
A. Flynn
Affiliation:
School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Republic of Ireland
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Type
Abstract
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2011

The objective of the study was to investigate the contribution of fortified foods to micronutrient intake in Irish adults. Analysis was based on the National Adult Nutrition Survey (NANS), which was carried out between 2008 and 2010 to establish a database of habitual food and drink consumption. A 4-d semi-weighed food record was used to collect food intake data. Analysis of dietary intake data was carried out using WISP© (Tinuviel Software, Anglesey, UK) that is based on McCance and Widdowson's The Composition of Foods, Sixth edition(1). The database was updated to identify all fortified foods recorded (6.2% of the 2552 foods consumed) by participants in the food diary. Fortified foods were identified as having one or more micronutrients listed in the ingredients. The mean daily intake (MDI) of micronutrients in consumers of fortified foods and the % contribution of fortified foods to the MDI are reported below.

Among the 18–64-year-old participants (n 1274), 86% reported consumption of a fortified food at least once during the recording period. For consumers of fortified foods, relative to the contribution to mean daily energy intake (9%), fortified foods contributed significantly to MDI of a range of micronutrients.

The project was funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under the Food for Health Research Initiative.

References

1.Food Standards Agency (2002) McCance and Widdowson's The Composition of Foods 6th ed. Cambridge: Royal Society of Chemistry.Google Scholar