[Maximum levels of vitamins and minerals in fortified food and food supplements in the European Union].

Abstract

Introduction: Introduction: the European Commission and a Task Force of 7 EU member States, led by Germany and involving Belgium, Spain, France, Greece, Ireland and the Netherlands, have been trying to set maximum levels for vitamin and mineral supplementation in fortified foods and food supplements. After submitting it to all member States for consideration, the Commission will consult the stakeholders. Objectives: to analyze the evolution and current situation on various issues related to this purpose. Methods: evaluation and comments on the applicable EU legislation, evolution of the nutrient reference values in the EU and suggestions for their possible update, compilation on the tolerable upper intake levels in the EU and their recent updates, possible alternatives when there are no tolerable upper intake levels in the EU, and dietary intake surveys carried out in some countries of the EU. Results: analysis of two different models for establishing maximum levels on supplementation in the EU and comparison between both models. Conclusions: are formulated on the two objectives to be achieved in setting the maximum amounts for this supplementation, that is to say, to avoid that the tolerable upper intake levels of some nutrients are exceeded and, at the same time, to correct intake deficits in other nutrients, in order to prevent health risks on population groups; in addition, the updating of the nutrient reference values and their expansion with specific values for children under 3 years old are suggested.