DSM calls for regulatory standards on fortified foods to tackle nutrient deficiencies

25 Nov 2021 --- Children across the globe are dealing with nutrient deficiencies that should be addressed from a regulatory, educational and nutritional standpoint, DSM has flagged.

“Having regulatory standards or guidelines established would enable industry to market safe and nutritiously balanced foods,” senior vice president nutrition science and advocacy at DSM, Dr. Peter Van Dael, tells NutritionInsight.

These guidelines could also educate and generate trust with consumers regarding what adequate nutrition looks like, while simultaneously tackling nutrient deficiencies.

In 2020, there were 149 million children under the age of five who were considered too short for their age and 45 million children underweight in relation to their height, DSM notes. Both are strong indicators of malnutrition, the company adds.The first 1000 days of life are critical for the infant’s growth and development.

A global problem
Across the world, iron, vitamin A and zinc deficiencies are among the most common, especially in young children, according to Van Dael.

“Tackling nutrient deficiencies across the globe will benefit from regulatory standards that enable food fortification, particularly with the intention to tackle nutrient deficiencies, and to set meaningful mandatory nutrient levels to this particular purpose. “

“Additionally regulatory guidelines or standards can support nutritional policies to focus on specific population groups and their nutritional needs, for example, pregnant women and their increased needs for folic acid to reduce the risk of neural tube defects.”

Tackling nutrition deficiencies
Van Dael outlines four ways to address the issue, ranging from identifying key nutrients and the feasibility of supplementation, examining nutrient quality and bioavailability, as well as leveraging regulatory standards.

Additionally, expert guidance should be sought along with the guidance of nutritional science organizations such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Early Nutrition Academy, he notes. 

“Resolving the nutrient gap at global, regional and local level requires the availability of different nutritional solutions, namely availability to nutritional education programs that provide insights on how to have balanced diets and how to complement missing nutrients through consumption of fortified foods and dietary supplements,” Van Dael states.

Food programs implemented by governments can help to target specific vulnerable population groups meet their specific nutrient needs, he adds.There are 45 million children underweight in relation to their height, an indication of malnutrition. 

Young child formula
A key example flagged by Van Dael on how expert guidance and regulatory standards can improve nutrient intakes lies in young child formulas. These are also referred to as growing up milks, he says. 

“According to a 2013 EFSA report, dietary intakes of alpha-linoleic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid, iron, vitamin D, and iodine were low in infants and children living in Europe,” DSM notes. A study carried out in France found that the consumption of cow’s milk in children aged one to two years resulted in insufficiencies in ALA, iron, vitamin C, and vitamin D, the company adds. 

Researchers noted that “the use of specifically formulated milk formulas targeting children from one to three years of age was seen to significantly reduce the risk of these insufficiencies,” according to DSM.

“While breastfeeding is the reference and sole source of nutrition for infants during early life, it is important to ensure adequate nutrient intake of the growing infant and of the young child (aged one and above),” Van Dael highlights. 

“Indeed, not all nutrient requirements can be met exclusively by breastfeeding above one year of age (e.g., protein, iron, vitamin D) and as such adequate choices to complement the diet of the growing infant, even when breastfed, are important.”

Across the wider infant nutrition space beyond DSM, formula is becoming more specialized, with factors like allergies and anxiety driving diversified options.

Earlier this year, DSM told NutritionInsight the company was eying human milk oligosaccharide potential for personalizing infant formula. 

By Andria Kades