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Alimentation & régimes

Fortified Food

A food to which nutrients are added to increase its nutritional value.

Definition

A food to which essential nutrients (vitamins and minerals) have been added that were not naturally present or were present in insufficient quantities, usually to compensate for nutritional losses due to processing.

How it works

Food fortification is a public health strategy that adds vitamins and minerals to processed products to prevent nutritional deficiencies.

Role

Prevents nutritional deficiencies and improves public health by adding essential nutrients.

Examples

  • Vitamin D Fortified Milk
  • Iodized Salt
  • Iron-Enriched Cereals
  • Calcium-Fortified Juice
  • Folic Acid-Enriched Bread

Recommendations

Check labels to identify added nutrients and verify compliance with recommended dietary allowance. Do not substitute fortified foods for natural sources of essential nutrients.

Key takeaway

Fortified foods support the prevention of nutritional deficiencies on a public level.

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