Limitations of current analytical reference methods to determine vitamins in foods: Challenges to support regulatory compliance and nutritional composition data

Foods are analysed for their vitamin content to support the verification of regulatory compliance or to generate food composition data. Many international reference methods for the analysis of vitamins in foods originate from the 1990s. Advances in nutrition science and analytical technology and the...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Food chemistry 2024-09, Vol.451, p.139383-139383, Article 139383
Main Authors: Konings, Erik, Gill, Brendon David, Jakobsen, Jette, Joseph, George, Campos-Giménez, Esther, Deborde, Jean-Luc, Wang, Wei, Buis, Ruben, Indyk, Harvey
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Dietary Supplements - analysis
Dietary Supplements - standards
Food
Food Analysis - methods
Harmonisation
Humans
Methods
Nutritive Value
Reference Standards
Vitamers
Vitamins - analysis
Citations: Items that this one cites
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Foods are analysed for their vitamin content to support the verification of regulatory compliance or to generate food composition data. Many international reference methods for the analysis of vitamins in foods originate from the 1990s. Advances in nutrition science and analytical technology and the continuing evolution of statutory regulations necessitate the need of new or supplementary regulatory standards. We have evaluated recent developments in these areas and conclude that most current international reference methods are no longer fit-for-purpose to accurately determine vitamin content in foods and food supplements. We have made recommendations to consider new and/or updated reference methods and regulatory standards for the analysis of vitamins A, D, E, K, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12, C and carotenoids in foods and food supplements. This area of nutrients may benefit from globally harmonised definitions specifying what compounds to include or exclude for analysis, and applicable bioactivity factors. •Expression of multiple vitamin forms in foods requires updated reference methods.•Current methods may not include recently authorised vitamers for fortification.•Globally harmonised definitions for vitamin forms to include or exclude are needed.•Advanced analytical techniques are required to demonstrate regulatory compliance.
ISSN:0308-8146
1873-7072
DOI:10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.139383