Comparison of measured and declared vitamin D concentrations in Australian fortified foods

Abstract

Fortified foods are an important source of dietary vitamin D, since this nutrient occurs naturally in relatively low concentrations in a limited number of foods. Hence, we aimed to investigate the accuracy of the declared vitamin D content of Australian fortified foods. Vitamin D3, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3), vitamin D2 and 25(OH)D2 were measured in 30 fortified food samples (edible oil spreads, malted chocolate drink powders, soy milks and breakfast cereals) using liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. The measured vitamin D content ranged from − 54 % to + 190 % of declared values. One product had measured vitamin D content close to the declared value, while 10 of 14 products had vitamin D in excess of that declared. Label information proved an unreliable indicator of measured vitamin D content across all product categories, which may be problematic for those relying on fortified foods as their main source of vitamin D.