Objective
Some 12 vitamins are commonly determined in foodstuffs for nutritional purposes (dietary and epidemiological surveys) and for food labelling purposes. An intercomparison of chemical and microbiological methods for determination of commonly measured vitamins (retinol, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, D3, beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol and niacin) in milk powder, haricot verts beans and pork muscle and a vitamin mixture has been carried out. The results for retinol, alpha-tocopherol, vitamin C, beta-carotene and niacin agreed well for most of the materials analysed. Indicative values for these vitamins in the reference materials (RM) recently certified for the major nutrients will be proposed if stability is proven.
Methodological problems identified for folates, vitamins B1, B2, and B6, and vitamin D are being studied. Reference materials specially formulated for vitamin use have been prepared (fortified milk powder, brussels sprouts, margerine and flour) and a mixed vegetable sample (primarily for carotenoids) is under preparation.
Some 12 vitamins are commonly determined in foodstuffs for nutritional purposes (dietary and epidemiological surveys) and for food labelling purposes. Vitamins are included in Council Directive on Nutritional Labelling of Foodstuffs (90/496/EEC). Little is known about the reliability of such measurements and there is currently no means of ensuring traceability. The project has the general aim of method improvement and preparation of reference materials.
Funding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
NR4 7UA Norwich
United Kingdom
Participants (18)
28040 Madrid
1380 DA Weesp
76131 Karlsruhe
3097 Liebefeld-bern
TW11 0LY Teddington
75126 Uppsala
2860 Söborg
94120 Fontenay Sous Bois
6201 GA Maastricht
6700 AE Wageningen
7500 Holstebro
3700 AJ Zeist
06100 Perugia
33098 Paderborn
MK44 1LQ Sharnbrook
Cork
06100 Perugia
4051 Basel