Fortification
June 2006
ACFM Statement on Fortified Breakfast Cereals
The Association of Cereal Food Manufacturers (ACFM) pro-actively promotes the role of fortified breakfast cereals as an important source of vitamins and minerals in the UK diet. This view is also shared by the European Breakfast Cereal Association (CEEREAL), which is currently focusing on increasing consumer awareness of the benefits of fortified breakfast cereals.
Fortification of breakfast cereals is based on the recommendation by nutritionists that breakfast should provide 20-25% of daily nutritional requirements. It is especially important in child nutrition and development, as those eating breakfast cereals are more likely to meet their daily requirements of essential vitamins and minerals.
In summary, key benefits of fortified cereals are as follows:
• Fortified breakfast cereals are an important source of iron in the UK diet, providing 20% of mean total iron intake 1
• Fortified breakfast cereals are an excellent source of folic acid, on average contributing 15% of the daily intake 2
• Fortified breakfast cereals are an important source of vitamin B12 for vegans and vegetarians
•Fortified breakfast cereals are the main dietary source of thiamin (vitamin B1), providing 14% of overall daily intake 3
• Fortified breakfast cereals contribute significant amounts of riboflavin and niacin on average providing 15% and 10% of daily intake respectively 4
• 13% of the average daily intake of vitamin B6 is obtained from fortified breakfast cereals 5
• Fortified breakfast cereals contribute 13% of the average daily vitamin D intake in men and women, 20% of the average daily vitamin D intake in girls and 24% in boys 6
• The contribution of breakfast cereals to vitamin D intake is particularly important during the winter months when vitamin D is not obtained from the sun
For further information contact the BCIS Team on:
Tel: 020 7815 3900
Email: info@breakfastcereal.org
1 NDNS 2004
2 BNF
3 NDNS, 2004
4 NDNS, 2004
5 NDNS, 2004
6 Henderson et al (2001), Gregory et al (2000), BNF
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