A high proportion of nutrient-enriched food in the vitamin supply of Austrian adults

Heinz Freisling, Ibrahim Elmadfa, Isabel Tina Schmid, Wien

An inquiry conducted from January to December of 2001 in which 1700 Austrian adults answered questions relating to their vitamin supply has shown a high acceptance of nutrientenriched food which is bought by about 62 % of those questioned. The average consumer of nutrient-enriched food has been found to be female, under 55 years of age, single, of a higher socioeconomic status and to do sports regularly.

Consumption of enriched products increased the supply of some vitamins: compared to the D-A-CH reference values for nutrient intake, 48 % (men) and 35 % (women) of the recommended vitamin C supply came from enriched food. Regarding enriched minerals and trace elements, the calculated contribution to the recommended supply of iron was 14 % in men and 9% in women, of calcium 9% in men and 7% in women.

The average energy supply from enriched food was about 5 %. The tolerable upper intake level of retinol equivalents was at the 95th percentile of the nutrient supply; for all other nutrients it was lower. Risk groups with inadequate nutrient supply do probably not benefit from a voluntary nutrient enrichment as enriched products are less frequently consumed by these groups.

Keywords: nutrient enrichment, vitamin and mineral supply of different population groups, nutrient supplementation.

Sie finden den Artikel in deutscher Sprache in Ernährungs Umschau 03/08 ab Seite 158.