National nutritional recommendations 'confusing for consumers'
National recommendations for folic acid and other micronutrients vary widely across Europe, leaving consumers and health professionals confused, according to a Europe-wide survey. The study was carried out by the newly-launched EURRECA Network of Excellence. Over the coming years, this EU project will work with scientists, policy makers and other stakeholders to produce nutrient guidelines which are based on the latest scientific research and which can be translated rapidly into national policies. The term micronutrients refers to the vitamins, minerals and trace elements our body needs in tiny amounts to work properly. Currently, different countries draw up their recommendations on how much of these micronutrients we need at different times. This means that they do not always reflect the latest scientific information. Furthermore, some countries provide guidelines for all adults, while others provide different guidelines for men and women. Age groupings for babies and children also vary. 'No wonder consumers across Europe are confused,' commented Professor Lisette de Groot of the University of Wageningen, one of the authors of the survey. Folic acid offers a good example of the kinds of variation found in national recommendations, and where there are often major discrepancies between the latest scientific advice and national guidelines. 'Scientists now universally agree that women of child-bearing age wishing to become pregnant should aim at an extra 400 micrograms of folic acid a day to combat neural tube defects in their babies,' explained Professor Helene McNulty of the University of Ulster. However, many national guidelines fail to provide information for the specific category of 'women planning on becoming pregnant'. In addition to this, guidelines for women who are already pregnant vary widely across Europe, ranging from 300mcg a day in the UK to 600mcg a day in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The daily intake of 600mcg is also the WHO (World Health Organisation) recommendation. 'Similarly, the standard adult recommendation for folic acid (for men as well as women) does not yet take into account the exciting new role this vitamin plays in reducing homocysteine, an important risk factor in heart disease and particularly in stroke,' added Professor McNulty. The goal of the EURRECA project, whose full title is 'Aligning nutrient recommendations across Europe with special focus on vulnerable groups and consumer understanding', is to address this problem by developing a framework for harmonised advice on micronutrients. It will focus in particular on priority micronutrients such as vitamin D and iron, as well as on people who are most vulnerable to nutrient deficiencies, such as pregnant and lactating women, children and the elderly. The project brings together 34 organisations in 17 countries and is funded by the EU's Sixth Framework Programme under the 'Food quality and safety' priority. 'This is a large task and the EURRECA Network does not under-estimate the challenges ahead,' said project coordinator Dr Loek Pijls of the International Life Sciences Institute. 'Through dialogue and cooperation between nutritionists, food standards authorities and national professional organisations, we will provide a framework that will bring the best science to the fore and enable its rapid translation by agencies into recommendations. 'Consumers across Europe have a right of access to the best nutritional information available, so they can make more informed choices about what they eat, wherever they live and at whatever stage of life.'