title: A survey of foodstuffs fortified with vitamins available on the market in Warsaw.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Foodstuffs fortified with vitamins and/or minerals are nowadays continually being developed, leading to an increasing diversity of these products being available on the market. This contributes to increased consumption of added nutrients, which can be an effective tool for improving public health.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify and characterise products fortified with vitamins, available on the Warsaw foodstuff market, which can thereby be used as a source of information for the assessment of dietary micronutrient intake.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were gathered using the information provided on labels from foodstuff products found in 14 Warsaw supermarkets during March to October 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 588 products found to be fortified with vitamins. The number of vitamins added ranged from one in 193 products to twelve in 14 products. The group of vitamins used for enrichment consisted of: A, D, E, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, niacin, pantothenic acid, folic acid and biotin. Juices, non-alcoholic beverages (29.4%) and cereal products (18.9%) constituted the largest product groups. In addition, fortified vitamins were also significantly present in sweets (15.8%), instant beverages and desserts (13.6%), milk products, fat spreads and soy products. The most frequently added vitamins were: vitamin C (58% products), vitamin B6 (46%) and B12 (45%), whilst the least frequently added was biotin (16%). The highest content of vitamins A and D were seen in fat spreads, whereas the highest levels of B vitamins, vitamin C and E were observed in certain sweets.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The wide range of fortified products available can serve to increase vitamin intake in many population groups, especially in children and teenagers. In order that consumers can make informed choices in buying these product types, appropriate education is necessary to raise public awareness of the health issues involved.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sicińska
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jeruszka-Bielak
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Masalska
authors.forename: Sylwester
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wronowski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005504:Food Analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005523:Food Supply / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005527:Food, Fortified / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009753:Nutritive Value; D011044:Poland; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014815:Vitamins