Nutritional content of vitamin and mineral supplements aimed at children in the peruvian market: analysis of compliance with recommendations.

Abstract

We described the nutritional content of vitamin and mineral dietary supplements for children on the Peruvian market and their compliance to the recommended dietary intake. A cross-sectional study was carried out with the information declared on the packaging of 34 products sold in pharmacies during 2022. The daily doses of each micronutrient were calculated according to the manufacturer's instructions; we also estimated the compliance with the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) and the tolerable upper intake level (UL) by age group. The most common micronutrients were vitamins C (n=23), D (n=22), A (n=16), zinc (n=15) and B6 (n=14). In all groups, vitamin D, thiamine, riboflavin, folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin C exceeded the RDA. Zinc and copper also exceeded the recommendations in some groups. Vitamin A and folate most frequently exceeded the UL. Our findings highlight the need for greater health surveillance.