Fortification: it’s all about defenses!
The word ‘fortification’ means ‘a defensive wall or other reinforcement built to strengthen a place against attack’ – so what does that have to do with cereals? Well, when cereals are ‘fortified,’ it means they contain added vitamins and minerals to help our brains work well, our bones grow healthily, and to maintain the body’s defenses.
Why fortify?
Foods have been fortified since the 1920s, when extra nutrients were added to help make up for vitamins and minerals lacking in people’s diets. These days, if we have a balanced diet, it’s easier to achieve recommended nutrient intakes, and your morning bowl of cereal can help your family get what they need. In fact, research shows that children and adults who eat fortified breakfast cereals are more likely to get the vitamins and minerals they need for the day.[1]
What’s in the box?
Crunchy, yummy and made with whole grain, most Nestlé breakfast cereals are fortified with 5 vitamins and 2 minerals, including riboflavin, niacin, B6, folic acid, pantothenic acid, iron, calcium and, sometimes, vitamin D. Take a look at the chart below to find out what they do for your body.
Did you know?
One 30 gram serving of a Nestlé cereal typically provides at least 15% of the recommended Nutrient Reference Value of each micronutrient listed in the Vitamins & Minerals table on the pack. This means a morning bowl of cereal can help your family get the vitamins and minerals they need every day.
Essential vitamins and marvelous minerals
| Help release energy | Riboflavin (B2)Niacin (B3)Pantothenic Acid (B5)Pyridoxine (B6)Calcium (Ca)Iron (Fe) |
| Contribute to a healthy skin | Riboflavin (B2)Niacin (B3) |
| Help the nervous system work properly | Riboflavin (B2)Niacin (B3)Pyridoxine (B6)Calcium (Ca) |
| Contribute to healthy blood | Pyridoxine (B6)Folic Acid (B9)Iron (Fe)Riboflavin (B2) |
| Essential to normal cell division | Folic Acid (B9)Vitamin DCalcium (Ca)Iron (Fe) |
| Keep the immune system working properly | Pyridoxine (B6)Folic Acid (B9)Iron (Fe) |
| Contribute to healthy bones and teeth | Calcium (Ca)Iron (Fe) |
| Help reduce tiredness | Riboflavin (B2)Niacin (B3)Pantothenic Acid (B5)Pyridoxine (B6)Iron (Fe)Folic acid (B9) |
| Contributes to cognitive development | Iron (Fe) |
Related Articles
Footnotes
- • Hannon E, Kiely M, Flynn A (2007) The impact of voluntary fortification of foods on micronutrient intakes in Irish adults. Br J Nutr. 97(06):1177-86.• INCA2 (2008) French National Dietary Survey.• Albertson AM, Thompson D, Franko DL, et al (2008) Consumption of breakfast cereal is associated with positive health outcomes: evidence from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study. Nutr Res. 28(11):744-52.
Footnotes
- ^ • Hannon E, Kiely M, Flynn A (2007) The impact of voluntary fortification of foods on micronutrient intakes in Irish adults. Br J Nutr. 97(06):1177-86. • INCA2 (2008) French National Dietary Survey. • Albertson AM, Thompson D, Franko DL, et al (2008) Consumption of breakfast cereal is associated with positive health outcomes: evidence from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study. Nutr Res. 28(11):744-52.
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Two things to remember: • Look for food labels where the word 'whole' appears in front of the name of the grain, like “whole wheat” or “wholemeal bread”. • For foods with more than one ingredient, make sure whole grain is listed towards the top of the ingredients list. The further up the list it is, the more whole grain has been used in the recipe. And look out for the percentage of whole grain. You should find this in the ingredients list too.
All Nestlé breakfast cereals carrying the green banner are made with whole grain; this is our Whole Grain Guarantee. They are made with at least 8g or more of whole grain per 30g serving. There are ingredient lists on all packs, showing the exact amount. By end of 2015, we’re committed to making whole grain the main ingredient in all Nestlé cereals popular with children.
A complete breakfast should include a balance of nutrients from each of the major food groups.