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Statement on the effects of excess Vitamin A on maternal health

Appendix 1: Vitamin A content of foods, fortified food products and supplements

Last updated: 21 September 2022

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Vitamin A content of foods, fortified food products and supplements

 

Table 1. Approximate Vitamin A concentrations in foods. (FSA, 2021).

Food type

Retinol Equivalent (µg /100 g)

Type of Vitamin A

Liver calf (fried in corn oil)

25,217

Preformed retinol

Liver, chicken, fried in corn oil

10,500

Preformed retinol

Giblets, turkey, boiled

3,100

Preformed retinol

Eel, yellow, raw

1,200

Preformed retinol

Ghee, butter

1,233

Preformed retinol

Fat spread, low fat (26 – 39 %), polyunsaturated

962

Preformed retinol

Carrots. raw

1,961

Carotenoids

Carrots, boiled

1,850

Carotenoids

Spinach, boiled

1,101

Carotenoids

Sweet potato, flesh only, boiled in unsalted water

927

Carotenoids

Curly Kale, raw

525

Carotenoids

Melon, Canteloupe-type, flesh only, weighed with skin

194

Carotenoids

Mangoes, ripe, flesh only, raw

116

Carotenoids

Apricots, dried

105

Carotenoids

Peaches, raw, flesh and skin

19

Carotenoids

Consumption and exposure assessments for vitamin A in various food sources

1.             The following tables (Tables 2 to 13a) details consumption of selected foods containing vitamin A and indicate estimated exposure to vitamin A. The exposure estimates are derived from individual consumption of these foods and take into account various forms of the foods as well as recipes. For example, liver from different animal sources contain varying amounts of vitamin A (Table 1). As such, exposure estimates take account of only some of the concentrations shown in Table 1. All variations of foods available within the NDNS database were used to obtain the consumption and exposure estimates.

Table 2. Chronic exposure of Vitamin A (retinol equivalents) in women from food sources only (Bates et al., 2014; 2016; 2018)**.

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/kg bw/day)*

(µg/kg bw/day)*

Age group

Mean

97.5th percentile

Mean

97.5th percentile

16 – 49 yrs

760

2,600

11

39

19 – 64 yrs

830

2,800

12

43

*Rounded to 2 significant figures.

**Based on total population.

Liver

Table 3. Chronic consumption of all types of liver (with recipes) in women aged 16 - 49 (Bates et al., 2014; 2016; 2018)^.

(g/person/day)* 

(g/person/day)*

(g/person/day)*

(g/kg bw/day)*

(g/kg bw/day)*

Consumers**

Mean

97.5th percentile

Mean

97.5th percentile

25

22

38

0.33

0.56

*Rounded to 2 significant figures.

**Consumption or exposure estimates made with a small number of consumers may not be accurate. The number of consumers is less than 60, this should be treated with caution and may not be representative for a large number of consumers.

^Based on food consumers of all types of liver.

Table 3a. Chronic exposure of Vitamin A from all types of liver (with recipes) in women aged 16 - 49 (Bates et al., 2014; 2016; 2018)^.

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/kg bw/day)*

(µg/kg bw/day)*

Consumers**

Mean

97.5th percentile

Mean

97.5th percentile

25

3,500

7,500

50

97

*Rounded to 2 significant figures.

**Consumption or exposure estimates made with a small number of consumers may not be accurate. The number of consumers is less than 60, this should be treated with caution and may not be representative for a large number of consumers.

^Based on food consumers on all types of liver.

Butter

Table 4. Chronic consumption of butter (with recipes) in women aged 16 - 49 (Bates et al., 2014; 2016; 2018).

(g/person/day)*

(g/person/day)*

(g/person/day)*

(g/kg bw/day)*

(g/kg bw/day)*

Consumers**

Mean

97.5th percentile

Mean

97.5th percentile

1,474

5.9

25

0.09

0.37

*Rounded to 2 significant figures.

Table 4a. Chronic exposure of Vitamin A from butter (with recipes) in women aged 16 - 49 (Bates et al., 2014; 2016; 2018).

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/kg bw/day)*

(µg/kg bw/day)*

Consumers**

Mean

97.5th percentile

Mean

97.5th percentile

1,474

40

230

0.60

3.5

*Rounded to 2 significant figures.

Table 4b. Chronic consumption of ghee (butter and vegetable oil-based) (with recipes) in women aged 16 - 49 (Bates et al., 2014; 2016; and Roberts et al., 2018).

(g/person/day)*

(g/person/day)*

(g/person/day)*

(g/kg bw/day)*

(g/kg bw/day)*

Consumers

Mean

97.5th Percentile

Mean

97.5th Percentile

123

3.0

12

0.043

0.18

*Rounded to 2 significant figures.

Table 4c. Chronic exposure of Vitamin A from ghee (butter and vegetable oil-based) (with recipes) in women aged 16 - 49 (Bates et al., 2014; 2016; and Roberts et al., 2018).

(µg/person/day)*

 

(µg/person/day)*

 

(µg/person/day)*

 

(µg/kg bw/day)*

 

(µg/kg bw/day)*

 

Consumers

Mean

97.5th Percentile

Mean

97.5th Percentile

123

9.6

120

0.14

1.8

*Rounded to 2 significant figures.

Table 4d. Chronic consumption of ghee (butter-based) (with recipes) in women aged 16 - 49 (Bates et al., 2014; 2016; and Roberts et al., 2018).

(g/person/day)*

 

(g/person/day)*

 

(g/person/day)*

 

(g/kg bw/day)*

(g/kg bw/day)*

 Consumers

Mean

97.5th Percentile

Mean

97.5th Percentile

107

3.3

13

0.047

0.2

*Rounded to 2 significant figures.

Table 4e. Chronic exposure of Vitamin A from ghee (butter-based) (with recipes) in women aged 16 - 49  (Bates et al., 2014; 2016; and Roberts et al., 2018).

(µg/person/day)*

 

(µg/person/day)*

 

(µg/person/day)*

 

(µg/kg bw/day)*

 

(µg/kg bw/day)*

 

Consumers

Mean

97.5th Percentile

Mean

97.5th Percentile

107

11

130

0.16

1.9

*Rounded to 2 significant figures.

Milk

Table 5. Chronic consumption of cow’s milk (with recipes) in women aged 16 - 49 (Bates et al., 2014; 2016; 2018).

(g/person/day)*

(g/person/day)*

(g/person/day)*

(g/kg bw/day)*

(g/kg bw/day)*

Consumers**

Mean

97.5th percentile

Mean

97.5th percentile

1,814

150

460

2.2

7.1

*Rounded to 2 significant figures.

Table 5a. Chronic exposure of Vitamin A from cow’s milk (with recipes) in women aged 16 - 49 (Bates et al., 2014; 2016; 2018).

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/kg bw/day)*

(µg/kg bw/day)*

Consumers**

Mean

97.5th percentile

Mean

97.5th percentile

1,814

36

120

0.54

1.8

*Rounded to 2 significant figures.

Egg yolk

Table 6. Chronic consumption of egg yolk (with recipes) in women aged 16 - 49  (Bates et al., 2014; 2016; 2018)**.

(g/person/day)*

(g/person/day)*

(g/person/day)*

(g/kg bw/day)*

(g/kg bw/day)*

Consumers**

Mean

97.5th percentile

Mean

97.5th percentile

903

8.5

25

0.15

0.38

*Rounded to 2 significant figures.

**Assumption – average egg contains 29 % yolk.

Table 6a. Chronic exposure of Vitamin A from egg yolk (with recipes) in women aged 16 - 49 (Bates et al., 2014; 2016; 2018)**.

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/kg bw/day)*

(µg/kg bw/day)*

Consumers**

Mean

97.5th percentile

Mean

97.5th percentile

903

12

34

0.17

0.52

*Rounded to 2 significant figures.

**Assumption – average egg contains 29 % yolk.

Carrots

Table 7. Chronic consumption of carrots (with recipes) in women aged 16 - 49 (Bates et al., 2014; 2016; 2018).

(g/person/day)*

(g/person/day)*

(g/person/day)*

(g/kg bw/day)*

(g/kg bw/day)*

Consumers**

Mean

97.5th percentile

Mean

97.5th percentile

1,327

21

74

0.31

1.1

*Rounded to 2 significant figures.

Table 7a. Chronic exposure of Vitamin A from carrots (with recipes) in women aged 16 - 49 (Bates et al., 2014; 2016; 2018)*.

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/kg bw/day)*

(µg/kg bw/day)*

Consumers**

Mean

97.5th percentile

Mean

97.5th percentile

1,327

330

1,300

4.9

20

*Rounded to 2 significant figures.

Peppers

Table 8. Chronic consumption of peppers (with recipes) (Bates et al., 2014; 2016; 2018).

(g/person/day)*

(g/person/day)*

(g/person/day)*

(g/kg bw/day)*

(g/kg bw/day)*

Consumers**

Mean

97.5th percentile

Mean

97.5th percentile

1,049

14

60

0.21

0.91

*Rounded to 2 significant figures.

Table 8a. Chronic exposure of Vitamin A from peppers (with recipes) (Bates et al., 2014; 2016; 2018).

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/kg bw/day)*

(µg/kg bw/day)*

Consumers**

Mean

97.5th percentile

Mean

97.5th percentile

1,049

12

51

0.18

0.76

*Rounded to 2 significant figures.

Spinach

Table 9. Chronic consumption of spinach (with recipes) (Bates et al., 2014; 2016; 2018).

(g/person/day)*

(g/person/day)*

(g/person/day)*

(g/kg bw/day)*

(g/kg bw/day)*

Consumers**

Mean

97.5th percentile

Mean

97.5th percentile

222

19

61

0.24

0.97

*Rounded to 2 significant figures.

Table 9a. Chronic exposure of Vitamin A from spinach (with recipes) (Bates et al., 2014; 2016; 2018).

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/kg bw/day)*

(µg/kg bw/day)*

Consumers**

Mean

97.5th percentile

Mean

97.5th percentile

222

103

517

1.6

8.4

*Rounded to 2 significant figures.

Cantaloupe melon

Table 12. Chronic consumption of Cantaloupe melon (with recipes) (Bates et al., 2014; 2016; 2018).

(g/person/day)*

(g/person/day)*

(g/person/day)*

(g/kg bw/day)*

(g/kg bw/day)*

Consumers**

Mean

97.5th percentile

Mean

97.5th percentile

42

46

131

0.78

2.5

*Rounded to 2 significant figures.

**Consumption or exposure estimates made with a small number of consumers may not be accurate. The number of consumers is less than 60, this should be treated with caution and may not be representative for a large number of consumers.

Table 12a. Chronic exposure of Vitamin A from Cantaloupe melon (with recipes) (Bates et al., 2014; 2016; 2018).

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/kg bw/day)*

(µg/kg bw/day)*

Consumers**

Mean

97.5th percentile

Mean

97.5th percentile

42

135

384

2.3

7.5

*Rounded to 2 significant figures.

**Consumption or exposure estimates made with a small number of consumers may not be accurate. The number of consumers is less than 60, this should be treated with caution and may not be representative for a large number of consumers.

Mango

Table 13. Chronic consumption of mango (with recipes) (Bates et al., 2014; 2016; 2018).

(g/person/day)*

(g/person/day)*

(g/person/day)*

(g/kg bw/day)*

(g/kg bw/day)*

Consumers**

Mean

97.5th percentile

Mean

97.5th percentile

235

18

105

0.26

13

*Rounded to 2 significant figures.

Table 13a. Chronic exposure of Vitamin A from mango (with recipes) (Bates et al., 2014; 2016; 2018).

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/kg bw/day)*

(µg/kg bw/day)*

Consumers**

Mean

97.5th percentile

Mean

97.5th percentile

234

15

94

0.22

1.3

*Rounded to 2 significant figures.

Apricot

Table 14. Chronic consumption of apricot (with recipes) (Bates et al., 2014; 2016; 2018).

(g/person/day)*

(g/person/day)*

(g/person/day)*

(g/kg bw/day)*

(g/kg bw/day)*

Consumers**

Mean

97.5th percentile

Mean

97.5th percentile

88

5.7

27

0.084

0.40

*Rounded to 2 significant figures.

Table 14a. Chronic exposure of Vitamin A from Apricot (with recipes) (Bates et al., 2014; 2016; 2018).

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/kg bw/day)*

(µg/kg bw/day)*

Consumers**

Mean

97.5th percentile

Mean

97.5th percentile

88

3.8

20

0.057

0.30

*Rounded to 2 significant figures.

Peach

Table 15. Chronic consumption of peaches (with recipes) (Bates et al., 2014; 2016; 2018).

(g/person/day)*

(g/person/day)*

(g/person/day)*

(g/kg bw/day)*

(g/kg bw/day)*

Consumers**

Mean

97.5th percentile

Mean

97.5th percentile

77

24

110

0.34

1.3

*Rounded to 2 significant figures.

Table 15a. Chronic exposure of Vitamin A from peaches (with recipes) (Bates et al., 2014; 2016; 2018).

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/person/day)*

(µg/kg bw/day)*

(µg/kg bw/day)*

Consumers**

Mean

97.5th percentile

Mean

97.5th percentile

77

4.6

21

0.67

0.28

*Rounded to 2 significant figures.

Fortified foods

2.             Foods are sometimes fortified with vitamin A such as butter and other fat spreads, milk and nutritional powders and cereal products. Some foods such as spreads and sports drinks are fortified with beta carotenes which are used for colouration of the product.

Table 16. Estimated exposure from fortified food products containing Vitamin A (Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Boots, Holland & Barret, Morrisons, M&S 2021).

Food product

Vitamin A concentration

Vitamin A concentration (µg per serving)

Exposure^

 

Butters and Spreads

µg per 100 g

µg per 10 g serving

µg/kg bw/day*

Flora Original Spread 500 g

 

814

81.4

1.2

Flora Buttery Spread 500g

233

23.3

0.33

Flora Light Spread 500 g

839

83.9

1.2

Flora ProActiv Buttery Taste Spread 500 g

120

12

0.17

Bertolli Original Spread 500 g

800

80

1.1

Bertolli With Butter 400 g

800

80

1.1

Benecol Buttery Spread 500 g

900

90

1.3

Pure Vegan Dairy Free Olive Spread 500 g

800

80

1.1

Pure Vegan Dairy Free Sunflower Spread 500 g

800

80

1.1

Nutritional Drink powders

µg per 100 g

µg per serving

µg/kg bw/day*

Complan Nutritional Drink Strawberry 4 X 55 g

551

303 per 55 g

4.3

Complan Nutritional Drink Drink Chocolate 4 X 55 g

522

287 per 55 g

4.1

Complan Nutritional Drink Banana 4 X 55 g

550

303 per 55 g

4.3

Complan Nutritional Drink Original 425 g

547

301 per 55 g

4.3

Slimfast Vitality Meal Replacement Shake Chocolate Intensity 400 g

81.9 (as prepared)

243 (as prepared) per 40 g

3.5

USN Diet Fuel Ultralean Strawberry Flavoured Meal Replacement Shake

474

256 per 54 g

3.6

Nutritional Drinks

µg per 100 ml

µg per serving

µg/kg bw/day*

Tropicana+ Vitamin Victory Juice 750 ml

208

312 per150 ml

4.4

Benefit Drinks Cleanse Prune Juice

320

800 per 250 ml

11

Oshee Vitamin Cocktail 250 ml

160

400 per 250 ml

5.7

Slim-Fast Milkshake Strawberry 6 x 325 ml

73.8

240 per 325 ml

3.4

Dr Witt Multivitamin Drink 1 Litre

216

432 per 200 ml

6.1

Nutrient Powder (foods)

µg per 100g

µg per serving

µg/kg bw/day*

Funktional Foods Spirulina Powder 100 g

3,685

369 per 10 g

5.2

Funktional Foods Wheatgrass Powder 100 g

1,289

258 per 10 g

3.7

Dried Milk

µg per 100 ml

as prepared

µg per serving as prepared (200 ml)

µg/kg bw/day*

Sainsbury's Skimmed Milk Powder 300 g

66.7

133

1.9

Tesco Instant Dried Skimmed Milk 340 g

71

142

2.0

Marvel Dried Milk Powder 278 g

66

132

1.9

Cereal bars

µg per 100 g

 

µg per serving

µg/kg bw/day*

Oshee Vitamin Muesli Bar Hazlenut & Raisin 40 g

300

120 per 40 g

1.7

Oshee Vitamin Muesli Bar Plum & Cranberry 40 g

300

120 per 40 g

1.7

Slimfast Meal Replacement Very Berry Bar 4 x 60 g

400

240 per 60 g

3.4

Other products

µg per 100 g

 

µg  per serving

µg/kg bw/day*

Blockhead Sugar Free Vitamin D, C, B & A Gum

µg per 100 g

 

800 per 2 pieces

11

Tetley Super Fruit Multi Vitamins Berry 20 Tea Bags 40 g

30

30 per 100 ml

0.43

Potters Malt Extract with Cod Liver Oil Butterscotch 650 g

1,720

172 per 10 g

2.4

Boots Malt Extract + Cod Liver Oil – 650 g

1,400

140 per 10 g

2.0

^Exposure is calculated from the recommended serving size and the average body weight of women aged 16- 49 years (70.3kg).

*Rounded to 2 significant figures.

Supplements

Table 17. List of a sample of supplements containing vitamin A (Sources: Lloyds Pharmacy, Boots Pharmacy and Superdrug).

Supplement

Maternal supplement?^

Vitamin A form

Recommended intake (mg/day)

Daily exposure (mg/kg bw)*

Vitabiotics pregnacare tablets range

Yes

Beta carotene

2,000

0.028

Vitabiotics Pregnacare Liquid

Yes

Beta carotene

1,000

0.014

Vitabiotics pregnacare breastfeeding range

Yes

Beta carotene

2,000

0.028

Seven Seas all stages during pregnancy

Yes

Beta carotene

1,000

0.014

Seven Seas pregnancy follow on

Yes

Beta carotene

1,000

0.014

Proceive Advanced Fertility Supplement Max Women

Yes

Beta carotene

7,000

0.10

Seven Seas Adult Complete Multivitamins 28

No

Vitamin A Acetate

800

0.011

Healthspan women's multivitamin super fruit 30 gummies

No

Vitamin A Palmitate

800

0.011

Pink simply radiant multivitamin for her gummies 60 gummies

No

Vitamin A

750

0.011

Superdrug Multivitamin With Iron 

No

Vitamin A Acetate

800

0.011

Bassets Adult Multivitamin Pastilles

No

Vitamin A

800

0.011

Vitabiotics wellwoman original 30 capsules

No

Beta carotene

2,000

0.028

Boots multivitamins

No

Vitamin A Acetate

800

0.011

Supplement

Maternal supplement?^

Vitamin A form

Recommended intake (µg/day)

Daily exposure (mg/kg bw)*

Centrum Advance multivitamins

No

Vitamin A (RE) (25% as beta-carotene)

800

0.011

Centrum Fruity Chewable

No

Vitamin A (RE)

660

0.009

Centrum MultiGummies

No

Vitamin A (RE)

660

0.009

Centrum Women 

No

Vitamin A (RE)

667

0.009

SimplySupplements Cod Liver Oil 1,000 mg 

No

Vitamin A

300 - 900

0.004-0.013

Holland & Barrett Cod Liver Oil Pure Liquid 500 ml

No

Vitamin A (RE)

691

0.0098

Seven Seas Cod Liver Oil One-A-Day Omega-3 Fish Oil & Vitamin D 120 Capsules

No

Vitamin A (RE)

750

0.011

Solgar Super Cod Liver Oil Complex - 60 Tablets

No

Retinyl palmitate

906

0.014

*Exposure is calculated from the daily recommended intake and the average body weight of women aged 16 - 49 years (70.3kg) ^Indicates whether the supplement is marketed specifically to pregnant or breastfeeding women.

References

Bates, B.; Lennox, A.; Prentice, A.; Bates, C.; Page, P.; Nicholson, S.; Swan, G. (2014) National Diet and Nutrition Survey Results from Years 1, 2, 3 and 4 (combined) of the Rolling Programme (2008/2009 – 2011/2012) Available at: Main heading (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Bates, B.; Cox, L.; Nicholson, S.; Page, P.; Prentice, A.; Steer, T.; Swan, G. (2016) National Diet and Nutrition Survey Results from Years 5 and 6 (combined) of the Rolling Programme (2012/2013 – 2013/2014) Available at: Main heading (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Food Standards Agency (2021). McCance and Widdowson’s The Composition of Foods Integrated Dataset 2021. McCance_Widdowsons_Composition_of_Foods_Integrated_Dataset_2021..xlsx (live.com)

Roberts, C.; Steer, T.; Maplethorpe, N.; Cox, L.; Meadows, S.; Page, P.; Nicholson, S.; Swan, G. (2018) National Diet and Nutrition Survey Results from Years 7 and 8 (combined) of the Rolling Programme (2014/2015 – 2015/2016) Available at: National Diet and Nutrition Survey (publishing.service.gov.uk)

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