title: Voluntary fortification of breakfast cereals with folic acid: contribution to dietary intake in Australia.
abstract: Ready-to-eat breakfast cereals have been voluntarily fortified with folic acid since 1995, with the purpose of reducing the prevalence of neural tube defects in utero. Using data from the recent Australian Health Survey, this study aimed to estimate folate intake from one serving of breakfast cereals (median amount). Various commercial brands were purchased in 2002 (n = 19) and in 2014 (n = 14); folate was determined by microbiological assay and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Total folate (μg/100 g) in 2002 and 2014 selections were 144-633 and 147-564, respectively, and mostly comparable to nutrition labels. Folic acid (2014 selection) using HPLC, ranged from 85 to 411 μg/100 g. Intake of 51 g cereals/serving by individuals ≥ 2 years could contribute 75-288 μg dietary folate equivalent. It seems that folic acid intake among children (2-3 years) exceeds the recommended dietary intake, when certain brands of breakfast cereals are consumed. Accordingly, the benefits and potential detrimental effects of the voluntary fortification need to be further explored.
authors.affiliation: a Food Science and Technology Group, School of Chemical Engineering , UNSW Australia , Sydney , NSW , Australia ;
authors.forename: Devina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Japar
authors.affiliation: b ARC Training Centre for Advanced Technologies in Food Manufacture, School of Chemical Engineering , UNSW Australia , Sydney , NSW , Australia ;
authors.forename: Maria V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Chandra-Hioe
authors.affiliation: b ARC Training Centre for Advanced Technologies in Food Manufacture, School of Chemical Engineering , UNSW Australia , Sydney , NSW , Australia ;|c Department of Nutrition and Food Science, School of Science and Health , University of Western Sydney , Hawkesbury , NSW , Australia.
authors.forename: Ashok
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shrestha
authors.affiliation: a Food Science and Technology Group, School of Chemical Engineering , UNSW Australia , Sydney , NSW , Australia ;|b ARC Training Centre for Advanced Technologies in Food Manufacture, School of Chemical Engineering , UNSW Australia , Sydney , NSW , Australia ;
authors.forename: Jayashree
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arcot
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D062408:Breakfast; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D002523:Edible Grain / Q000737:chemistry*; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000517:prevention & control; D005504:Food Analysis; D005527:Food, Fortified / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009753:Nutritive Value
chemical_list: D005492:Folic Acid
keywords: Folate; HPLC; microbiological assay; recommended dietary intake