Objective: To explore appropriate method for determining maximum levels of micronutrient fortification, and use calcium as an example, maximum levels were suggested for the revise of the standards of food fortification in China.
Methods: Based on the principle of risk assessment, the data of China National Nutrition and Health Survey in 2002 were used to explore the model for calculating the maximum levels of micronutrient fortification. The data were stratified by economical development level, age, as well as gender, and the maximum levels of calcium fortification were determined accordingly, among which the lowest value was suggested as maximum level of calcium fortification.
Results: MSFLs for all the age groups of big cities, M&S cities and rural I were lower than those of the whole population. MSFL for 18- age group of rural I was the lowest one in the corresponding age groups. And the lowest MSFLs for 2 - 7 and 11 - 18 age group lies in big cities. The lowest MSFL for all of age groups was set as 262 mg/1000 kJ.
Conclusion: This model could be applied to derive MSFL for nutrient fortificants with UL.