The FDA recently announced increases to the fortification levels of vitamin D allowed in cereals and now allows vitamin fortification in grain-based bars following a petition by Kellogg Co., according to the food manufacturer.
Research from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025 found that over 90 percent of Americans consume less than the recommended quantity of vitamin D. The brand initiated the petition to address micronutrient deficiencies as part of its Better Days Promise environmental, social, and governance strategy.
"Kellogg fortified cereals and milk have long been a delicious and affordable way to get vitamin D," says Nigel Hughes, Kellogg Company's SVP of global R&D and innovation, in a statement. "Now, everyday foods, like cereal and grain-based bars, can go even further toward helping people access and consume vitamin D, creating better days for 3 billion people by the end of 2030."
In addition to fortifying foods with vitamin D, the company is also working on new foods to leverage natural nutrient sources. Pure Organic Crackers (pictured above) made with cheese and vegetables will be the first better-for-you cracker to have a 10 percent daily value of vitamin D from mushroom powder. The offerings will appear on supermarket shelves in January.
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