Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins are organic compounds essential for human health, needed in small amounts for normal cell function. Minerals are inorganic elements that the body needs for growth, development, and overall health. Many vitamins and minerals occur naturally in foods, but they are also added to processed foods to boost their nutritional value.

Manufacturers add vitamins and minerals to foods to fortify them, helping consumers meet their daily nutrient needs. This is common in products like breakfast cereals, dairy products, plant-based meat alternatives, and beverages. Fortification can help prevent nutrient deficiencies in the population.

Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates their addition to foods. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine have established Upper Intake Levels (ULs) for many vitamins and minerals to prevent adverse health effects from excessive intake. International bodies like the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have also evaluated many vitamins and minerals.