Vitamin D Fortification of Fluid Milk Products and Their Contribution to Vitamin D Intake and Vitamin D Status in Observational Studies-A Review

Nutrients. 2018 Aug 9;10(8):1054. doi: 10.3390/nu10081054.

Abstract

Fluid milk products are systematically, either mandatorily or voluntarily, fortified with vitamin D in some countries but their overall contribution to vitamin D intake and status worldwide is not fully understood. We searched the PubMed database to evaluate the contribution of vitamin D-fortified fluid milk products (regular milk and fermented products) to vitamin D intake and serum or plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) status in observational studies during 1993⁻2017. Twenty studies provided data on 25(OH)D status (n = 19,744), and 22 provided data on vitamin D intake (n = 99,023). Studies showed positive associations between the consumption of vitamin D-fortified milk and 25(OH)D status in different population groups. In countries with a national vitamin D fortification policy covering various fluid milk products (Finland, Canada, United States), milk products contributed 28⁻63% to vitamin D intake, while in countries without a fortification policy, or when the fortification covered only some dairy products (Sweden, Norway), the contribution was much lower or negligible. To conclude, based on the reviewed observational studies, vitamin D-fortified fluid milk products contribute to vitamin D intake and 25(OH)D status. However, their impact on vitamin D intake at the population level depends on whether vitamin D fortification is systematic and policy-based.

Keywords: 25-hydroxyvitamin D; dairy; vitamin D; vitamin D fortification; vitamin D intake; vitamin D-fortified milk.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cultured Milk Products*
  • Female
  • Food, Fortified*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Milk*
  • Nutritional Status*
  • Nutritive Value
  • Observational Studies as Topic
  • Recommended Dietary Allowances
  • Vitamin D / administration & dosage*
  • Vitamin D / analogs & derivatives
  • Vitamin D / blood
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / blood
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / epidemiology
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / physiopathology
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / prevention & control*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Vitamin D
  • 25-hydroxyvitamin D