The Fortification Committee works to understand the impact of various nutrient sources on population nutrient intakes and status.
Why is this research valuable?
There is considerable debate regarding the balance of processed versus whole foods in a healthful diet. To inform this debate, ILSI North America has developed a comprehensive evaluation of the contributions of natural, fortified, enriched, and dietary supplement food sources to total nutrient intakes. These data will be an important scientific resource as future food fortification policy is deliberated and the benefits of processed and whole foods continue to be debated in the scientific, media, and consumer arenas.
Fortification Database Available
The ILSI North America Fortification committee recently sponsored development of a database with estimates of intrinsic, fortification, and enrichment nutrients for foods reported consumed in 2009-2010 and 2011-2012 releases of the NHANES and What We Eat In America (WWEIA). Fortification nutrients of interest for the database are vitamins A, C, D, E, B6 and B12, and folate, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium and potassium. Foods assumed to be fortified and/or enriched were identified in the FNDDS‐SR Links files used to process WWEIA 2009‐2010 and 2011‐2012. For each food identified as a fortified or enriched item, values for the applicable intrinsic, fortification and enrichment nutrient components per 100g food were estimated. Further details of the database can be found below.
This database is available for use by researchers skilled in NHANES analysis. Please provide the following information:
- Demonstrated expertise in NHANES analysis
- Topic of interest and research questions to be addressed
We ask that any resulting publications acknowledge that the database was developed with support from the ILSI North America Fortification Committee.
Should others approach users for access to the database, we ask that they be referred to ILSI North America so that we can understand breadth and scope of use.
Please contact us for more information at ilsina@ilsi.org
Background Information
The current database can be used to estimate updated intakes of nutrients added for fortification or enrichment purposes. Ultimately, information on nutrient intakes from added sources could be used to better align intakes with nutrient needs.
EB 2014 - The Impact of Fortification in the U.S. Diet: A Case Study in Children
This committee is no longer active.
December 2016: Read ILSI North America's comments to the FDA regarding Use of the Term ‘‘Healthy’’ in the Labeling of Human Food Products on our Public Comments page.
Publications
Nutrients in the US Diet: Naturally Occurring or Enriched/Fortified Food and Beverage Sources, Plus Dietary Supplements: NHANES 2009–2012
The Journal of Nutrition, 2019
Race/Ethnicity, Enrichment/Fortification, and Dietary Supplementation in the U.S. Population, NHANES 2009–2012
Nutrients, 2019
This study examined race/ethnicity and income differences in meeting the Dietary Reference Intakes based on estimated dietary intakes among the U.S. population age ≥2 years.
Fortification and Health: Opportunities and Challenges
Advances in Nutrition, 2015
This article is a summary of a symposium presented at the ASN Scientific Sessions and Annual Meeting at Experimental Biology 2014 on current issues involving fortification focusing primarily on the United States and Canada and recommendations for the development of responsible fortification practices to ensure their safety and effectiveness.
Fortified Foods Are Major Contributors to Nutrient Intakes in Diets of US Children and Adolescents
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2014
This paper examines the impact of fortification on nutrient adequacy and excess among US children and adolescents.
Fortification: New Findings and Implications
Nutrition Reviews, 2014
This article discusses and evaluates the value of fortification, the success of current fortification efforts, and the future role of fortification in preventing or reversing nutrient inadequacies.
Past Events
Experimental Biology 2017
April 21, 2017 – April 25, 2017
Chicago, Illinois, USA
ILSI North America is supporting various sessions at the 2017 Experimental Biology Conference.
Experimental Biology Saturday Morning Session — “Fortification and Health: Opportunities and Challenges”
April 26, 2014
San Diego, California, USA
Experimental Biology 2014 – Saturday Morning Session.
ILSI North America at Experimental Biology 2013
April 20, 2013 – April 24, 2013
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
ILSI North America supported several events at Experimental Biology 2013.
ILSI North America at the 37th National Nutrient Databank Conference
April 19, 2013
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
ILSI North America work was presented at this event.
Fortification Workshop: New Findings and Implications for Vitamins and Minerals
June 21, 2012
Washington, DC, USA
In an environment of over-consumption, it is of great interest that Americans simultaneously fail to meet the Dietary References Intakes (DRIs) for many nutrients. Fortification is a way to supplement intakes of the population at large without having to rely on consumer choice. The Forticiation Committee’s workshop will provide attendees with an improved understanding of the value of fortification and the success of current fortification efforts and practices. Additionally the workshop will address the potential future role of fortification in nutrient adequacy, which includes benefits and risks.
- Neurogensis and brain plasticity in the adult brain - Henriette van Praag, National Institute on Aging;
- The Relation of Exercise, fitness, & Adiposity to Cognitive and Brain Health - Charles Hillman, University of Illinois - Video
- Neuroinflammatory Processes in Cognitive Disorders - Sophie Laye, Universite Bordeaux - Video
- Exercise, Nutrition and Brain Funciton: What are the steps toward dietary and physical activity Recommendations? - Mary Ann Johnson, University of Georgia - Video
- Panel Discussion - Video
With Programmatic input from ILSI North America
Utility of Predictive Modeling for Nutrition Research, Clinical Interventions and Public Health
Sunday, 23 April 2017
8:30AM– 10:30AM
S105BCD
Speakers:
- Intro to Predictive Modeling: From Linear Regression Models to Mechanistic Mathematical Modeling - David Allison, University of Alabama at Birmingham - Video;
- Use of Predictive Modeling in the Design of Clinical Studies Kevin Hall, NIDDK - Video;
- Application of Predictive Modeling in Weight Loss Counseling - Corby Martin, Pennington Biomedical Research Center - Video;
- Application of Predictive Modeling in Personalized Nutrition - Ben van Ommen, TNO - Video;
- Utility of PRedictive Modeling for Public Health Obesity Policies - Emily Dhurandhar, Texas Tech University - Video;
- Summary and Wrap-Up - Diana Thomas, West Point - Video
Supported by the ILSI North America Protein Committee - Full session playlist
Learning Lab: How to Access and Use a Fiber and Health Outcomes Database for Researchers and Policymakers
Tuesday, 25 April 2017
11:00AM – 12:30PM
S105AB
Speakers: Kara Livingston, Tufts University; Caleigh Sawicki, Tufts University
Supported by the ILSI North America Carbohydrate Committee
Posters
Sources of dietary folate/folic acid in women of different races in the United States between 2009 and 2012: What is the role of fortified and enriched products?
PDF
Abstract Number: 6707
Poster Board Number C88
Presenter: Ray DeVirgiliis, George Washington University
Monday, 24 April
1:45PM-2:45PM





The events below were organized by ILSI North America. To access the entire conference program, visit the Experimental Biology website.
Conducting a Systematic Review for a Global Audience: Challenges in Merging Nutrition and Toxicological Evidence for a Safety Assessment of Caffeine
Saturday, 22 April 2017
8:30AM – 12:30PM
Ballroom S100BC
Speakers: Dennis Keefe, FDA; Harris Lieberman, USARIEM; Esther Myers, EF Myers Consulting; Charles O’Brien, University of Pennsylvania; Jennifer Peck, University of Oklahoma; Milton Tenenbein, University of Manitoba; Connie Weaver, Purdue University; Daniele Wikoff, ToxStrategies
Supported by the ILSI North America Caffeine Working Group
Session Info & Videos
The Changing Brain: How Brain Plasticity, Exercise and Nutrition Affect Function and Cognition
Saturday, 22 April 2017
3:00PM – 5:00PM,
Ballroom S100BC
- Neurogensis and brain plasticity in the adult brain - Henriette van Praag, National Institute on Aging;
- The Relation of Exercise, fitness, & Adiposity to Cognitive and Brain Health - Charles Hillman, University of Illinois - Video
- Neuroinflammatory Processes in Cognitive Disorders - Sophie Laye, Universite Bordeaux - Video
- Exercise, Nutrition and Brain Funciton: What are the steps toward dietary and physical activity Recommendations? - Mary Ann Johnson, University of Georgia - Video
- Panel Discussion - Video
With Programmatic input from ILSI North America
Utility of Predictive Modeling for Nutrition Research, Clinical Interventions and Public Health
Sunday, 23 April 2017
8:30AM– 10:30AM
S105BCD
Speakers:
- Intro to Predictive Modeling: From Linear Regression Models to Mechanistic Mathematical Modeling - David Allison, University of Alabama at Birmingham - Video;
- Use of Predictive Modeling in the Design of Clinical Studies Kevin Hall, NIDDK - Video;
- Application of Predictive Modeling in Weight Loss Counseling - Corby Martin, Pennington Biomedical Research Center - Video;
- Application of Predictive Modeling in Personalized Nutrition - Ben van Ommen, TNO - Video;
- Utility of PRedictive Modeling for Public Health Obesity Policies - Emily Dhurandhar, Texas Tech University - Video;
- Summary and Wrap-Up - Diana Thomas, West Point - Video
Supported by the ILSI North America Protein Committee - Full session playlist
Learning Lab: How to Access and Use a Fiber and Health Outcomes Database for Researchers and Policymakers
Tuesday, 25 April 2017
11:00AM – 12:30PM
S105AB
Speakers: Kara Livingston, Tufts University; Caleigh Sawicki, Tufts University
Supported by the ILSI North America Carbohydrate Committee
Posters
Sources of dietary folate/folic acid in women of different races in the United States between 2009 and 2012: What is the role of fortified and enriched products?
PDF
Abstract Number: 6707
Poster Board Number C88
Presenter: Ray DeVirgiliis, George Washington University
Monday, 24 April
1:45PM-2:45PM