Assessment: Intake of Vitamins and Minerals in Norway and the EU

This assessment was commissioned by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet).

The background for the request is that the EU has resumed work on establishing common regulations and maximum limits for vitamins and minerals in foods (fortification) and food supplements in the EU/EEA. The EU will set harmonised maximum limits based on European intake data and the upper tolerable intake levels (UL) for vitamins and minerals.

The intake calculations underlying EFSA’s assessments largely do not include Norwegian data. Mattilsynet therefore sought insight into whether vitamin and mineral intakes in Norway differ substantially from EFSA’s intake calculations for any of the nutrients. VKM’s assessment will form part of the basis for Mattilsynet’s work on developing regulations for fortification and food supplements.

We conclude that Norwegian intake data differ from European data for several vitamins and minerals. We have assessed whether these differences are substantial, and how important it will be to consider Norwegian intake data when setting new maximum limits for the various vitamins and minerals, says Lene Frost Andersen, who led the Sscientific lead for the workproject team at VKM.

The assessment covers preformed vitamin A (retinol), vitamin D, vitamin E, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, selenium and copper, for population groups aged 1 year and older.

Mattilsynet also requested an overview of the main dietary sources of retinol, calcium, and zinc for children and adolescents.

Expert Assessments of Intake

There is no established method for determining whether differences in intake data between countries are “substantial”. VKM’s assessments are therefore based on expert judgement, considering:

• differences between Norwegian and European intake data at the 95th percentile*

• the number of age groups showing differences

• whether intake exceeds the UL (upper tolerable intake level) in one or more groups

• whether fortified foods are included in the dataset

The concept of “substantial” is therefore linked to the risk of exceeding the UL, in addition to the magnitude of the differences.

Key Findings

VKM has grouped the results into different categories:

Substantial differences and/or exceedance of UL

Norwegian 95th percentiles are higher than EFSA’s and/or intake exceeds the UL in one or more population groups.
It is considered very important to take Norwegian data into account when setting new maximum limits. This applies to retinol, phosphorus, iron, zinc, selenium, and copper.

Differences, but no exceedance of UL

Norwegian 95th percentiles are not higher than EFSA’s, but the UL is exceeded in one or more groups.
It is considered very important or important to take Norwegian data into account to reduce the risk of UL exceedance in future regulation.

This is very important for vitamin D, vitamin E, calcium and phosphorus (when accounting for combining both sexes), and important for vitamin C.

More Information

All results are presented for each nutrient in detailed tables showing differences between Norwegian and European intake data. The main findings are summarised in Table 4.1.1-1 and in the report’s conclusions.

The report has been evaluated and approved by VKM’s Panel on Nutrition, Dietetic Products, Novel Food and Allergy.

* The 95th percentile means that 95 out of 100 people consume less of a nutrient than this amount. Only 5 percent of participants in dietary surveys have an intake higher than the 95th percentile.

VKM delivers independent scientific assessments on issues related to environmental and food safety. VKM does not provide advice or take positions on how risks should be managed. We may assess the consequences of different courses of action, but risk management decisions are made by the commissioning authority.