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New Study Finds Fortified Foods Are Significant Contributors of Vitamins And Minerals to U.S. Children's DietsReady-to-Eat Cereal Scores High Marks with Folate, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Iron and Zinc |
SourceForumsHealth, Safety, Nutrition and KidsRelated ArticleBreakfast: Waking Up to a Healthy StartInformation and news releases furnished by the members of PR Newswire, who are responsible for their fact and content. |
BATTLE CREEK, Mich., Oct. 6, 1998 -- According to a new National Cancer Institute (NCI) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) study published in the October issue of Pediatrics, fortified foods contribute significant amounts of vitamins and minerals to US children's diets. Based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII, 1989-1991), researchers found that ready-to-eat cereal is among the top sources of folate, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron and zinc among children 2-18 years old. This is the first study of a nationally representative sample of children in which researchers analyzed overall food consumption and its contribution to the intake of 16 dietary constituents including energy, fat, protein, carbohydrates as well as vitamins, minerals and fiber. These findings further support our research that shows children are getting a significant amount of essential nutrients from fortified foods, specifically ready-to-eat cereals, according to Wong O. Song, Ph.D., R.D., Professor, Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University Food and Nutrition Database Research Center. "This is because they are generally fortified with nutrients and frequently consumed by children." Health and nutrition professionals recommend that children eat a variety of foods with emphasis on grains, fruits and vegetables as illustrated by the USDA Food Guide Pyramid. "Cereals are a wonderful way for children to get many of the vitamins and minerals they need. And, because children like cereal, it offers an opportunity to introduce other nutrient-rich foods, such as fruit and milk, to their diets," said Karen Kafer, R.D., Director of Communications, the Kellogg Company. Kellogg Company is the world's leading producer of ready-to-eat cereal and a leading producer of other convenience foods, including toaster pastries, frozen waffles, bagels and cereal bars. For more information visit the Kellogg Web site at http://www.kelloggs.com. CONTACT: Stacey Antine of Porter Novelli, 212-601-8153, or Karen Kafer of Kellogg Company, 616-961-3989 |
