Before joining to EU food fortification in Finland was strictly controlled. In the EU era there are larger possibilities for food fortification, because of the free trade in EU. Foods can be marketed and sold freely between countries, if there is no risk of a health hazard. Consequently, there have been more fortified foods in Finnish food markets than previously. However, increased consumption of fortified foods - especially in conjunction with supplement use - can cause risk of excessive intake of certain nutrients in certain population groups. The fact that supplement users’ intake of some nutrients is higher than non-users’ increases the potential risks involved to food fortification (Kaartinen et al.1997). Furthermore, one study suggests that those who consume fortified foods, take also supplements more often than others (Raulio 2003). Therefore, it is possible that food fortification is not targeted reasonably and can cause a health hazard.
The aim of the nutritional risk assessment project is to investigate the magnitude of the risk of too low or too high nutrient intakes. The emphasis is on fortified foods. The other aim is to study how well food fortification is targeted, i.e. is it possible to diminish the proportion of those with low nutrient intakes by fortification and if there are special risk groups of low or high intakes (e.g. children, elderly people, sportsmen, socioeconomic groups). The data from dietary surveys collected in the recent years among adults and children will be used as a basis for intake calculations and Monte Carlo simulations. The results of the risk assessment will be used in the decision-making concerning food fortification.
Kaartinen P, Ovaskainen M, Pietinen P: The use of dietary supplements among Finnish adults. Scandinavian Journal of Nutrition 1997;41:13-17.
Raulio S. Consumption of fortified foods and its determinants in Finnish adult population [in Finnish]. Suomen Lääkärilehti 2003;58:1685-8.