title: Framework for intake simulation of functional ingredients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To create a general framework for the simulation of intakes from mandatory or voluntary fortification, which will make outcomes of simulation studies more comparable and give insight on uncertainties.
  
  
  METHODS
  A general framework was developed based on methods used in already published case studies of mandatory fortification. The framework was extended to be suitable for the simulation of voluntary fortification. Case studies of folic acid fortification were used to illustrate the general framework.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The developed framework consists of six steps. First, the definition of the fortification strategy (step 1), followed by the identification of potential carrier products (step 2), and the definition of fortification levels or ranges (step 3). Thereafter, virtual food/supplement composition data are created (step 4) and food/supplement consumption data are required (step 5). Finally, the intake of the functional ingredient from functional foods, other foods and dietary supplements is calculated during the simulation resulting in total habitual intake distributions (step 6).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Simulation of both mandatory and voluntary folic acid fortification in The Netherlands showed that the general framework is applicable. Also with incomplete data or data from different sources, the (habitual) intake distributions can be estimated using assumptions, statistical procedures or probabilistic modelling approaches. It is important that the simulation procedure is described well, so that an insight on uncertainties and knowledge gaps to be filled is given.
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, PO Box 1, 3720, BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands. Janneke.Kloosterman@RIVM.nl
authors.forename: Janneke
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kloosterman
authors.forename: Martine I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Bakker
authors.forename: Nynke
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: de Jong
authors.forename: Marga C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ocké
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D004032:Diet; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000517:prevention & control; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009752:Nutritional Status
chemical_list: D005492:Folic Acid