| Denmark |
Mandatory fortification of household salt and salt used in bread – practised since 2000 Permission needed for voluntary fortification Optional fortification permitted for vitamin A and β-carotene to margarine and fat spreads; calcium, phosphorous, iron, vitamin B1, B2 and niacin to certain flours and breakfast cereals and vitamin C to juices |
| Finland |
No mandatory fortification Common practice (consensus between authorities and food industry) fortification: iodine in salt, vitamin D in milk and margarines, vitamin A in margarines Large voluntary fortification (permission needed): e.g. vitamins A, E and C and calcium in fruit juices, calcium in milk and margarine, group B vitamins in energy drinks, juices and ready-to-eat breakfast cereals Permission granted on safety aspects only |
| Germany |
No mandatory fortification Voluntary fortification permitted for water-soluble vitamins and vitamin E. Vitamin A and vitamin D are allowed in certain foods (milk products and margarine) For minerals and fat soluble vitamins (in other products) permission is needed for fortification: relatively difficult to obtain, especially for products that are not already sold in EU Iodisation of salt is encouraged |
| Ireland |
Mandatory food fortification: vitamins A and D to margarine; Common practice to add vitamins A and D to fat spreads Voluntary fortification: no statutory controls on the levels of nutrients added to food. Voluntary fortification practised mainly for ready-to-eat breakfast cereals and drinks |
| Italy |
No mandatory fortification Permission needed for voluntary fortification A list of factories authorised to produce special dietary foods, fortified food and food supplements was published in May 2007 Iodisation of salt is encouraged. Outlets selling salt must have also iodised salt (50%) |
| The Netherlands |
No mandatory fortification Iodine in salt, iodised salt in bread, vitamins A and D in margarine common Fortification with vitamin A (as retinoid), vitamin D, folic acid, selenium, copper and zinc is prohibited, since 2004 exemption is possible Since 2004: only on the basis of harm to public health fortification can be prohibited Voluntary fortification of other micronutrients in particular in beverages, dairy products and breakfast cereals |
| Poland |
Mandatory fortification: vitamins A and D in margarine, iodine in salt Voluntary fortification encouraged: minimum portion or 100 g contains 15% of recommended daily intake (RDI), maximum portion or 100 g contains 50% of RDI (vitamin C and folate: 100% RDI) |
| Spain |
No mandatory food fortification Voluntary fortification encouraged with respect to iodisation of salt. Fortification level: minimum 15% and maximum 100% of RDI Voluntary fortification of dairy products, especially liquid ones |
| United Kingdom |
Mandatory fortification of white and brown flour (calcium, iron, thiamin and niacin), margarine (vitamins A and D), infant formulas and foods intended for use in energy restricted diets Voluntary fortification: no statutory controls on the levels of nutrients added to food |
