Despite Mandatory Fortification of Staple Foods, Vitamin D Intakes of Canadian Children and Adults are Inadequate

Introduction: Sub-optimal vitamin D status is an emerging health concern. We evaluated vitamin D intakes of Canadians and compared it to American counterparts. Methodology: We used data from Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 2.2 (n=35107) to determine usual intake of vitamin D from food sources, and food and supplement. Canadians' vitamin D intakes were compared with vitamin D intakes of Americans in corresponding age/gender groups, the latter from NHANES 1999-2000. Results: The mean ± SD intake of vitamin D from food of Canadians was 5.8 ± 0.1 µg/d, with males 14-18 y having the highest intakes (7.5 ± 0.2 µg/d) and females 19-30 y having the lowest intakes (4.7 ± 0.2 µg/d). Main food sources were milk products and meat and alternatives contributing to 49 % and 31.1% of dietary vitamin D. Food insecurity influenced vitamin D intake from food. Canadians' vitamin D intakes from food were higher than their American counterparts for males 9-18 y, 51 and over, and females 9-50 y (p<0.05). Discussion: Although most Canadians didn't meet the recommendations for vitamin D intake, they had higher intakes of vitamin D than Americans which may reflect the efficacy of national fortification policies or database differences. In both countries fluid milk is fortified but only in Canada is margarine fortification mandatory. Both countries would benefit by increasing both the amount of vitamin D added to foods and range of foods eligible for fortification.