Canada Mandates Increased Vitamin D in Milk and Margarine

Canada is set to implement a significant change in its grocery items by mandating an increase in vitamin D fortification for milk and margarine. This new regulation, introduced by Health Canada, aims to double the vitamin D content in cow’s milk and margarine by December 31, 2025, addressing widespread deficiencies among the population.

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in maintaining bone health and regulating calcium levels within the body. It also affects various bodily systems, including the nervous, musculoskeletal, and immune systems. While the body primarily synthesizes vitamin D through sunlight exposure, dietary sources such as fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified foods also contribute to overall intake.

New Regulations and Health Implications

According to Mark Johnson, a spokesperson for Health Canada, the decision to fortify milk and margarine is a response to alarming statistics. “Surveillance data show that approximately one in five people in Canada have inadequate vitamin D status, while about one in ten are at risk of deficiency,” he stated. A deficiency in vitamin D can lead to serious health issues, including rickets in children and osteomalacia, which involves the softening of bones in adults.

Health Canada advises that individuals aged two to 50 should consume foods containing vitamin D daily or take a supplement of 400 IU if their dietary intake is insufficient. For adults over 50, a daily supplement of 400 IU is recommended in addition to dietary sources. Given the reduced sunlight exposure during winter months in Canada, these recommendations are particularly pertinent.

The new regulations apply to all types of cow’s milk—fluid, powdered, and evaporated—as well as various kinds of margarine. Health Canada has also expanded the amount of vitamin D that can be voluntarily added to goat’s milk. As of now, many products already available in the Canadian market contain the updated vitamin D levels.

Broader Impact on Food Products

As part of the fortification strategy, Health Canada also announced plans to allow the voluntary addition of vitamin D to yogurt and kefir. This move is designed to enhance the nutritional profile of these products and ensure that consumers receive adequate vitamin D from various sources. Foods containing milk as an ingredient, such as cheese, may also benefit from the new fortification levels.

For those who prefer plant-based alternatives, the regulations also extend to fortified plant-based beverages. As of 2022, the vitamin D levels in these products can now match those required in cow’s milk, making it easier for consumers to meet their dietary needs.

Health Canada confirmed that starting in 2026, all cow’s milk sold in Canada will be required to meet the new vitamin D fortification standard. Agnes Malkinson, another spokesperson for Health Canada, noted, “If fortification were inconsistent, it would undermine efforts to address widespread deficiency. A uniform approach ensures that everyone who consumes cow’s milk will benefit from this public health intervention.”

For Canadians already supplementing their vitamin D intake, Health Canada has reassured that the new regulations should not raise concerns about overdosing. “Even if one consumes several servings of milk and takes a 400 IU supplement daily, their total intake would still be well below the tolerable upper intake level,” Malkinson explained. The upper intake level ranges from 2,500 IU per day for young children to 4,000 IU per day for those aged nine and older.

Individuals taking high-dose supplements are encouraged to consult with healthcare providers to ensure their current intake is appropriate. Health Canada will continue monitoring vitamin D levels among Canadians to assess the effectiveness of its fortification strategy and determine if further changes are necessary.

For more information on the vitamin D fortification strategy, individuals can visit Health Canada’s official website.