EWG: Kids get too many fortified foods
June 24, 2014 | 08:11 PM
Food companies are putting excessive amounts of vitamin A, zinc and niacin in breakfast cereals in order to market them as healthy, the Environmental Working Group said in a study released today. The study, “How Much is Too Much,” was featured on NBC's Today show this morning.
Renée Sharp
“Heavily fortified foods may sound like a good thing, but when it comes to children and pregnant women, excessive exposure to high nutrient levels could actually cause short or long-term health problems,” said Renée Sharp, EWG’s research director and co-author of the report.
“Manufacturers use vitamin and mineral fortification to sell their products, adding amounts in excess of what people need and more than might be prudent for young children to consume.”
EWG added in a news release, “High doses of vitamin A can cause toxic symptoms and lead to liver damage, skeletal abnormalities and hair loss. Excessive levels of zinc can impair copper absorption, negatively affect red and white blood cells and impair immune function. During pregnancy, taking too much vitamin A can result in developmental abnormalities in the fetus. Older adults with high vitamin A intake have been known to suffer from osteoporosis and hip fractures.”
▪ Environmental Working Group — How Much is Too Much?
“Heavily fortified foods may sound like a good thing, but when it comes to children and pregnant women, excessive exposure to high nutrient levels could actually cause short or long-term health problems,” said Renée Sharp, EWG’s research director and co-author of the report.
“Manufacturers use vitamin and mineral fortification to sell their products, adding amounts in excess of what people need and more than might be prudent for young children to consume.”
EWG added in a news release, “High doses of vitamin A can cause toxic symptoms and lead to liver damage, skeletal abnormalities and hair loss. Excessive levels of zinc can impair copper absorption, negatively affect red and white blood cells and impair immune function. During pregnancy, taking too much vitamin A can result in developmental abnormalities in the fetus. Older adults with high vitamin A intake have been known to suffer from osteoporosis and hip fractures.”
▪ Environmental Working Group — How Much is Too Much?
