Folic acid food fortification prevents inadequate folate intake among preschoolers from Ontario.
OBJECTIVE
Folic acid food fortification has successfully reduced neural tube defect-affected pregnancies across Canada. The effect of this uncontrolled public health intervention on folate intake among Canadian children is, however, unknown. Our objectives were to determine folic acid intake from food fortification and whether fortification promoted adequate folate intakes, and to describe folic acid-fortified food usage among Ontario preschoolers.


METHODS
Cross-sectional data were used from the NutriSTEP validation project with preschoolers recruited using convenience sampling. Mean daily total folate and folic acid intakes were estimated from 3 d food records, which included multivitamin supplement use. Comparisons were made to Dietary Reference Intakes, accounting for and excluding fortificant folic acid, to determine the prevalence of inadequate and excessive intakes.


METHODS
Canada.


METHODS
Two hundred and fifty-four preschoolers (aged 3-5 years).


RESULTS
All participants (130 girls, 124 boys) ate folic acid-fortified foods and 30% (n 76) used folic acid-containing supplements. Mean (SE) fortificant folic acid intake was 83 (2) microg/d, which contributed 30% and 50% to total folate intake for supplement users and non-users, respectively. The prevalence of total folate intakes below the Estimated Average Requirement was <1%; however, excluding fortificant folic acid, the prevalence was 32%, 54% and 47% for 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds, respectively. The overall prevalence of folic acid (fortificant and supplemental) intakes above the Tolerable Upper Intake Level was 2% (7% among supplement users).


CONCLUSIONS
Folic acid food fortification promotes dietary folate adequacy and did not appear to result in excessive folic acid intake unless folic acid-containing supplements were consumed.
Hennessy-Priest
Kathleen
K
Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph, MACS Room 324, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Mustard
Jill
J
Keller
Heather
H
Rysdale
Lee
L
Beyers
Joanne
J
Goy
Richard
R
Randall Simpson
Janis
J
D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence
D005492:Folic Acid