Analysis of food supplements containing iodine: a survey of Italian market

Abstract

Iodine is an essential nutrient for humans as a critical constituent of thyroid hormones; both iodine deficiency and excess have adverse consequences for the thyroid gland. The aims of this research were to compare claimed concentrations of iodine with measured ones in various iodine-supplemented products, estimate the amount of iodine ingested by Italian consumers who use these products, and compare the calculated intakes to the Recommended Daily Allowance and tolerable Upper Level. A convenience sample of 43 food supplements was analyzed for iodine concentration. Analytical values resembled those declared in the label in fewer than half of the examples; in four cases, the maximal daily dose was higher than the tolerable upper level for iodine of 600 μg/day. Labeling of iodine-rich food supplements appears to be unreliable and caution should be exercised in the consumption of food supplements rich in iodine as there is a risk of exceeding the established safe upper level of daily intake.

Keywords: :

• Food safety
• Iodine
• Food supplements
• Upper level
• Consumer health

Notes

7. Italian Ministry of Health. Law 21 March 2005, n. 55. Disposizioni finalizzate alla prevenzione del gozzo endemico e di altre patologie da carenza iodica [Measures for the prevention of endemic goiter and other diseases from iodine deficiency].

11. CEE. Directive 2002/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 June 2002 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to food supplements. Official Journal of the European Communities L183, dated 12.7.2002.

12. Italian Presidential Decree 21 May 2004, n. 169, Attuazione della direttiva 2002/46/CE relativa agli integratori alimentari [Adoption of the Directive 2002/46/EC relating to food supplements]. Gazzetta Ufficiale n. 164, dated 15 July 2004.

14. SCF (Scientific Committee on Food). Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Food on the Tolerable Upper Intake level of Iodine. Expressed on September 26, 2002.

20. CEE. Council Directive 70/524/EEC of 23 November 1970 concerning additives in feeding-stuffs. Official Journal of the European Communities L270, dated 14.12.1970.

22. European Parliament. II Recommendation for second reading on the Council common position for adopting a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the addition of vitamins and minerals and of certain other substances to foods - 9857/3 – C6–0017/2006 – 2003/0262 (COD) – Doc A6–0078/2006 dated March 23, 2006.