Food fortification with preformed vitamin A: persistent challenges and agro-industrial relevance for embryo-fetal safety
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59410/PREPRINT-UEA-v2026ep06-1206Keywords:
Preformed vitamin A, food fortification, cumulative exposure, agro-industrial chain, pregnancy, teratogenicityAbstract
Food fortification with preformed vitamin A is a strategy used to prevent nutritional deficiencies. However, its implementation poses technological and control-related challenges that may modify dietary exposure and become particularly relevant during pregnancy. The aim of the present study was to analyze food fortification with preformed vitamin A, its persistent challenges along the agro-industrial chain, and its implications for embryofetal safety. To this end, an integrative literature review was conducted based on scientific and technical publications related to formulation, dosing, mixing, stability, labeling, and dietary exposure. The analysis was organized according to the main stages of the agro-industrial chain: formulation, processing, storage, labeling, and consumption. It was found that factors such as premix dosing, mixing homogeneity, degradation during shelf life, the use of safety margins, and labeling clarity may alter the final concentration of the micronutrient and promote conditions such as excessive exposure, intra-batch variability, compensatory overdosing, and cumulative exposure. During pregnancy, these situations acquire preventive relevance due to the teratogenic potential of preformed vitamin A. It is concluded that risk management requires an integrated approach among key sectors.
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