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Development of a simulation model to determine the most appropriate micronutrient composition of a fortified blended food
Author(s) -
Fleige Lisa,
Murphy Suzanne P,
Sahyoun Nadine
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.149.7
Subject(s) - micronutrient , fortification , nutrient , environmental health , zoology , medicine , food science , dietary reference intake , toxicology , biology , ecology , pathology
Current micronutrient fortification levels in P.L. 480 fortified blended foods (FBF) may not be appropriate for all food aid beneficiaries, particularly infants/young children and pregnant/lactating women. We developed a modeling exercise to simulate fortification levels targeted to different genders/ages, but not exceeding the upper limits (UL) of the Dietary Reference Intakes for any one group. Two models were developed: a complementary food for ages 6–36 months and a supplementary food for all other groups. For each micronutrient, the age and gender group with the highest daily Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) relative to energy intake was identified, and the effect of providing different percentages of that RNI was simulated. The modeling exercise also examined consumption of the FBF at 25% (the usual level), 50% and 100% of daily energy intake to assess whether any ULs would be exceeded. Results indicated that if the FBF were fortified at 75% of the RNI, and consumed at 50% of daily energy intake, most micronutrients would not exceed the UL for any group, although at 100% of daily energy intake, several micronutrients were undesirably high. We conclude that fortifying an FBF to 75% of the RNI would be appropriate for most micronutrients, but the potential for excess intake of some micronutrients requires further evaluation. Supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.