Addition of Nutrients to Food Task Force

Background

This task force has evolved within the context of the EC regulations on fortification of foods and the need to measure the impact of adding nutrients to food on the population. Currently, in Europe, there is considerable focus on micronutrients. The task force has responded to this by looking at both high and low intakes of specific micronutrients, and the impact these could have on certain European populations.

Objectives

Dietary surveys across Europe indicate a wide range of intakes from micronutrients across countries and within several subgroups of the population. Clarity on these intakes from a European perspective is needed

As a consequence, this task force has commissioned different expert groups that aim to:

Map low and high micronutrient intake across Europe;
Review the diverse methodologies for dietary intakes;
Consider the importance for micronutrient status of factors such as bioavailability, fortification (voluntary/mandatory);
Identify biomarkers for micronutrient status;
Undertake horizon scanning for micronutrients of emerging interest, for example, vitamins D and K;
Collaborate with all relevant partners.

Impact

The task force developed a new and innovative method to facilitate setting mandatory maximum levels in food fortification and supplements, now under serious consideration by the EC. As a follow-up to this, a new activity has been initiated to map the extent of micronutrient deficiencies across Europe in different population subgroups and countries. Subsequently, it will review and recommend methodologies for estimating micronutrient intakes, with particular regard to base diet, fortified foods and dietary supplements.

Various stakeholders, including the European Commission and its Member States, showed a particular interest in the outcome of these activities for establishing a general methodology to collect micronutrient intakes across Europe. The paper ‘Intake of selected nutrients from foods, from fortification and from supplements in various European countries’ with a focus on high intakes was published as supplement in Food and Nutrition Research, in 2009.

Activities

Is there a Need for Specific Reference Values for Vitamin K2?

Vitamin K is essential for the functioning of several proteins involved in blood clotting, because it is needed for the posttranslational modification of those proteins.

For decades, it was believed that this is the sole function of vitamin K, but more recently a number of other vitamin K-dependent proteins (VKDPs) have been discovered. In addition to blood, they occur in a wide variety of tissues (e.g.: bone, dentin, vessel wall, neural tissue), body fluids (e.g. urine, semen, lung surfactant) and pathological structures (e.g.: renal stones, atherosclerothic plaques), and the regulation of the biological activity of these proteins depends on vitamin K intake.

Based on new biomarkers of vitamin K status, the majority of both children and adults are probably vitamin K insufficient. This may have a negative impact on bone and vascular health.

Although the Dietary Reference Value (DRV) of vitamin K is adequate to maintain normal blood clotting and thus avoid classical vitamin K deficiency symptoms, this may not be the case to reduce the risk for osteoporosis and atherocalcification.

To reduce these risks, a separate DRV for vitamin K2 would be recommended.

When the Dietary Reference Value (DRV) is increased, the minimum enrichment levels in food products to claim ‘source of’ or ‘rich in’ vitamin K are increased. Higher levels of vitamin K in food products will contribute to the prevention of sub-clinical vitamin K deficiency.

The main objectives of this new activity are to:

To identify whether it is possible to identify a DRV [Estimated Average Requirements (EAR), adequate Intakes (AI) and tolerable upper intake level (UL)] for vitamin K2;
Identify gaps in current knowledge to identify future directions of research (general and specific) that contribute to insight on intakes and issues related to vitamin K2 intake in vulnerable population groups.

The outcome of this project will be presented as a paper in a peer-reviewed journal.

This Expert Group is a joint effort with the Nutrient Requirements Task Force that will also contribute to the transversal activity on marker validation.

Mapping Low Micronutrient Intake across Europe

An expert group is currently analysing low intake of micronutrient across Europe. The objectives are to:

Compile data on the extent of low micronutrient intakes in Europe, and the associated risk to health in population subgroups to map low intake of micronutrient across Europe;
Review the limitations of the collected data and provide recommendations;
Summarise the strength and weaknesses of current methodologies to collect micronutrient intake data;
Collaborate and identify synergies with related activities, in particular with the EURRECA Network of Excellence.

The outcome of this activity will assist researchers to critically evaluate intake data. It will be published in a scientific journal.

Concurrently, in view of a follow-up activity, the expert group will provide best practice recommendations for the methodology used for monitoring micronutrients intake. The aim is to:

Review the characteristics of the different methods which can be used in food intake surveys;
Define the best methodological practices to take into consideration when designing a survey on micronutrients intake.

Members - 2012

Mr. Reg Fletcher - Chair -	Kellogg Europe	IE
Dr. Ellen van den Heuvel - Vice-Chair -	FrieslandCampina	NL

Dr. Jean-Michel Antoine	Danone	FR
Mr. Edouard Casala	Bunge Europe	BE
Ms. Yvette Azzopardi*	European Commission - DG Sanco	BE
Dr. Simon Champ	BASF SE	DE
Dr. Suzanne Kettler	Coca-Cola Europe	BE
Dr. Karlheinz Niederreiter	Red Bull	AT
Dr. Szabolcs Peter	DSM	CH
Dr. Sigrid Röchter	BASF SE	DE

Ms. Athanasia Baka	ILSI Europe	BE
Ms. Belinda Antonio	ILSI Europe	BE

*observer

Expert Group on Is there a Need for Specific Reference Values for Vitamin K2?

Dr. Cees Vermeer - Chair -	Maastricht University	NL

Dr. Joline Beulens	University of Utrecht	NL
Dr. Sarah Booth	Tufts University	US
Ms. Marjolein Bragt	Royal FrieslandCampina	BE
Dr. Elisabeth Stoecklin	DSM	CH
Dr. Ellen van den Heuvel	Royal FrieslandCampina	NL

Ms. Athanasia Baka	ILSI Europe	BE

Expert Group Mapping Low Micronutrient Intake across Europe

Mr. Reg Fletcher - Chair -	Kellogg Europe	IE

Prof. Mirjana Gurinovic	University of Belgrade	SRB
Dr. Inge Huybrechts	University of Ghent	BE
Dr. Susanne Kettler	Coca-Cola Europe	BE
Dr. Lionel Lafay	French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety - ANSES	FR
Dr. Alison Lennox	MRC Human Nutrition Research	UK
Dr. Gert Mensink	Robert Koch Institute	DE
Dr. Marga Ocké	National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM)	NL
Dr. Szabolcs Peter	DSM	CH
Prof. Lluís Serra-Majem	University of Barcelona	ES
Prof. Lucjan Szponar/ Dr. Katarzyna Stos	National Food and Nutrition Institute	PL
Dr. Inge Tetens	Technical University of Denmark, National Food Institute	DK
Dr. Ellen van den Heuvel	Royal FrieslandCampina	NL

Ms. Athanasia Baka	ILSI Europe	BE

Publications

S. J. Fairweather-Tait, L. J. Harvey, R. Hurrell and J. Boza, Guest Scientific Editors. Micronutrient Bioavailability: Priorities and Challenges for Setting Dietary Reference Values. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2010;91(Suppl.5):1413S-1491S.

A. Flynn et al. Intake of Selected Nutrients from Foods, from Fortification and from Supplement in Various European Countries. Food and Nutrition Research 2009;Suppl.1:1-51.

J. Howlett and N. Binns. Micronutrient Landscape of Europe: Comparison of Intakes and Methodologies with particular Regard to Higher Consumption. ILSI Europe Report Series 2009:1-32.

A.G. Renwick, L.O. Dragsted, R.J. Fletcher et al. Minimising the Population Risk of Micronutrient Deficiency and Over-consumption: A New Approach Using Selenium as an Example. European Journal of Nutrition 2008;47(1):17-25.

A.G. Renwick, A. Flynn, R.J. Fletcher et al. Risk-Benefit Analysis of Micronutrients. Food and Chemical Toxicology 2004;42(12):1903-1922.

A. Flynn, O. Moreiras et al.Vitamins and Minerals: A Model for Safe Addition to Foods. European Journal of Nutrition 2003;42(2):118-130.

J.J. Strain, D. Barclay and J. Lambert.Addition of Nutrients to Food: Nutritional and Safety Considerations - Moving to a Scientific Consensus. ILSI Europe Report Series 1998:1-24.

To download the poster of the task force, click here.

For more information, please contact info@ilsieurope.be.