Modelling vitamin D food fortification among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia

Belinda Neo; Noel Nannup; Dale Tilbrook; Eleanor Dunlop; John Jacky; Carol Michie; Cindy Prior; Brad Farrant; Carrington C J Shepherd; Lucinda J Black

doi:10.1038/s41430-026-01737-y

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Modelling vitamin D food fortification among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Modelling vitamin D food fortification among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia

Belinda Neo, Noel Nannup, Dale Tilbrook, Eleanor Dunlop, John Jacky, Carol Michie, Cindy Prior, Brad Farrant, Carrington C J Shepherd and Lucinda J Black

European journal of clinical nutrition

2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-026-01737-y

PMID: 41957198

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Abstract

Low vitamin D intake and prevalence of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration <50 nmol/L among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples highlight a need for public health strategies to improve vitamin D status. Since few foods contain naturally occurring vitamin D, food fortification could be a suitable strategy. We aimed to model vitamin D food fortification scenarios among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We used nationally representative food consumption data (n = 4109, aged ≥2 years) and vitamin D food composition data to model four scenarios. Scenario 1 included the maximum vitamin D concentrations permitted for fortification in Australia: i) dairy products and alternatives, ii) butter/margarine/edible oil spreads, iii) formulated beverages, and iv) selected ready-to-eat breakfast cereals. Scenarios 2a-c included some vitamin D concentrations higher than permitted in Australia. Scenario 2a: i) dairy products and alternatives, ii) butter/margarine/edible oil spreads, iii) formulated beverages. Scenario 2b: as per Scenario 2a plus selected ready-to-eat breakfast cereals. Scenario 2c: as per Scenario 2b plus bread (not permitted for vitamin D fortification in Australia). Vitamin D fortification could potentially increase median vitamin D intake by ~3-6 µg/day. Scenario 2c had the highest potential increase in median vitamin D intake at ~8 μg/day. Across all modelled scenarios, none of the participants had vitamin D intake above the Australian upper level of intake of 80 μg/day. Vitamin D fortification could increase vitamin D intake among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, even considering the restrictions on the foods permitted for fortification in Australia.

Details

Title: Modelling vitamin D food fortification among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia
Authors/Creators: Belinda Neo - Curtin University
Noel Nannup - The University of Western Australia
Dale Tilbrook - Tharawal Aboriginal
Eleanor Dunlop - Curtin University
John Jacky - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Carol Michie - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Cindy Prior - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Brad Farrant - Murdoch University, Ngangk Yira Institute for Change
Carrington C J Shepherd - Curtin University
Lucinda J Black - Deakin University
Publication Details: European journal of clinical nutrition
Publisher: Springer Nature
Number of pages: 8
Grant note: GNT1184788 / Department of Health | National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Curtin Strategic Scholarship / Curtin University of Technology (Curtin University)
Identifiers: 991005877054707891
Murdoch Affiliation: Ngangk Yira Institute for Change
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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