Vitamin D concentrations in fortified foods and dietary supplements intended for infants: Implications for vitamin D intake

- Foods with added vitamin D contained 50-153% of the labelled vitamin D content.
- Dietary supplements contained 8-177% of the labelled vitamin D content.
- Vitamin D content of 3 of 44 products deviated significantly from EU tolerances.
- Trusting label information only may result in invalid estimates of intake.

Due to potential overages to cover losses during shelf life, the actual vitamin D concentration of fortified foods and dietary supplements may deviate from the label. In this pilot study the vitamin D concentrations of fortified foods (n = 29; follow-on formula, baby porridge, curd cheese dessert) and dietary supplements (n = 15), both specifically intended for infants, were analytically determined. Compared to the declared values, the vitamin D content ranged from 50% to 153% for fortified foods and from 8% to 177% for supplements. In general, both instant follow-on formula and oil-based supplements had a measured vitamin D content similar to or higher than the labelled value. Ready-to-eat baby porridge was the only category in which all measured vitamin D concentrations were below the declared value (74-81%). The use of label information for fortified foods and dietary supplements may result in invalid estimations of vitamin D intake distributions of infants; both under- and overestimation may occur.