iFDA approves increase in vitamin D added to milk and approves addition to milk alternatives.
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Many substances added directly to food in the U.S. are marketed on the basis of FDA food additive regulations, which are located in 21 CFR Part 172. By law, FDA may approve the use of a food additive only after conducting a scientific safety review of the information provided in a food additive petition to ensure that use of ingredients added to foods are safe for the general population.
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In response to a food additive petition, FDA has amended the food additive regulations to expand the safe uses of vitamin D2 as a nutrient supplement in edible plant-based milk alternative beverages (e.g., soymilk) and in edible plant-based yogurt alternatives. The amended regulations also will permit the use of vitamin D3 as a nutrient supplement in milk at levels higher than those permitted in the past.
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Vitamin D helps with the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the small intestine and is essential for human health. The amended FDA regulations will allow manufacturers to voluntarily add up to 84 IU/100g of vitamin D3 to milk, 84 IU/100g of vitamin D2 to plant-based beverages intended as milk alternatives, and 89 IU/100g of vitamin D2 to plant-based yogurt alternatives. Manufacturers may begin using the new amounts on July 18, 2016.
