Food for thought: What is fortification?
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Fortification doesn't just happen to wines - it also refers to the addition of nutrients to foods. In the UK some foods - margarine and bread, for example - are required by law to be fortified.
Fortification replaces things that are lost during processing, adding B vitamins and iron to breakfast cereals, or vitamin A to margarine. Sometimes manufacturers fortify foods to make them appeal to certain consumer groups - adding vitamin B12 and iron to vegetarian products, for example. The process also reduces the risks of deficiency - adding folic acid to foods to help reduce the chance of foetuses developing neural tube defects.
There are a number of products that now claim to offer specific health benefits, sometimes called "functional foods". These include bio yoghurts and margarine enriched with Omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish oils). Manufacturers, however, are not allowed to make any claims that their food product can prevent, treat or cure a disease.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments