Voluntary fortification of bread with folic acid Annual Report 2014

Transcription

1 Voluntary fortification of bread with folic acid Annual Report 2014 T.G. Watson Baking Industry Research Trust May 2015 A report to the Ministry for Primary Industries 1

2 Disclaimer Every effort has been made to ensure the information in this report is accurate. The Baking Industry Research Trust, and the New Zealand Association of Bakers and member companies, do not accept any responsibility or liability for any error of fact, omission, interpretation or opinion that may be present, however it may have occurred. 2

3 Summary This report fulfils the reporting requirements of the New Zealand Association of Bakers (NZAB) code of practice (COP) for voluntary folic acid fortification of bread in New Zealand. The COP requires that the Industry will commission an audit of fortified breads each year to verify the levels of folic acid in the range of breads and proportion of breads available in New Zealand that are fortified. NZAB members have advised that there were 58 varieties of folic acid fortified packaged sliced bread on the market in New Zealand in This is a 100% increase versus While some varieties are regional, the majority are readily available nationally. In 2014, 19%, by production volume, of packaged sliced bread marketed or distributed by NZAB members or their private label partners was fortified with folic acid. In December % of packaged sliced breads produced by NZAB member companies were fortified with folic acid, so the minimum target of the COP has just been achieved. All NZAB member bread formulations claiming folic acid fortification, by manufacturing company, were audited. Where product was sold in both the North and South Islands, product from both islands was audited. All samples were taken from the market by shoppers independent of NZAB member companies. A total of 64 breads were sampled across the country. Folic Acid content was tested by AsureQuality using the Biacore method (based on AOAC method ). Audit results show that the average fortification levels of all breads sampled was 186 µg per 100 grams of bread. The median fortification levels (interquartile range (IQR)) for all bread analyses was 171 µg /100 g (IQR: 140, 215 µg /100 g). 84% of all samples tested had folic acid test results in the range of 100 r 250 µg /100 g. 3

4 Contents Page Number Summary 3 Contents 4 List of Tables 5 List of Abbreviations 5 Introduction 6 List of breads containing folic acid 7 Proportion of breads fortified with folic acid 12 Audit of breads claimed to be fortified with folic acid 13 Background to audit 13 Method 13 Analysis of folic acid content 14 Results 14 Discussion 16 Next steps 17 Appendices Appendix 1 18 New Zealand Association of Bakers (NZAB) and Private Label Partner s Code of Practice for Voluntary Folic Acid Fortification of Bread Appendix 2 22 Full results 4

5 List of Tables Table Number Title Page Number 1 Packaged sliced breads fortified with folic acid 8 2 Percentage of packaged sliced breads fortified with folic acid 12 3 Summary of audit results 14 List of Abbreviations New Zealand Association of Bakers (NZAB) Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Code of Practice (COP) Baking Industry Research Trust (BIRT) Nutrition Information Panel (NIP) Not Applicable (NA) Interquartile range (IQR) 5

6 Introduction In order to help meet the needs of the population of concern with regard to folic acid (i.e., women of child-bearing age) members of the New Zealand Association of Bakers voluntarily add folic acid to some bread products. This enables those in the population who wish to increase their folic acid levels to do so by purchasing these fortified breads. A code of practice (COP) has been developed to reinforce NZAB commitment to having folic acid fortified bread available to the market. This report is written to meet the reporting requirements of NZAB code of practice (COP) for voluntary folic acid fortification of bread. A copy of the COP and list of the companies that have signed up to it is included in the Appendix to this report. The COP was developed in conjunction with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). It requires that an audit is carried out to verify the level of folic acid in the range of NZAB packaged sliced loaf breads fortified, and that an annual report be submitted to MPI which includes the following: a list of all the breads containing folic acid the proportion, by volume, reported as production volume of packaged loaf breads that contain folic acid a list of breads that have been tested and the test method used the results of tests, identifying the levels of folic acid found in breads an explanation of how the goal for fortifying towards 50% of packaged breads in NZ, with folic acid, is being met. This report relates to the 2014 calendar year. 6

7 List of breads fortified with folic acid There are 58 varieties of NZAB folic acid fortified packaged sliced breads on the market in New Zealand as shown in Table 1. This is an increase of 100% versus the 29 varieties that were on the market in The list of fortified products, including product name, loaf weight, and regions where able to be purchased, is available to the public on the BIRT website Bread type, type of outlet and shelf prices in 2014 have been added to the list for the information of readers of this report. Some bread varieties are only available in one island. However, there is often a similar counter-part available on the other island e.g., Rivermill Wheatmeal in the North Island is equivalent to Golden Bake Wheatmeal in the South Island. Many of the folic acid fortified breads are used by food service customers i.e., restaurants, caterers, cafes, cafeterias, government institutions, rest homes etc. Fortified breads are available in a range of prices. 7

8 Table 1 Packaged sliced breads fortified with folic acid Product Name Loaf Weight (g) Bread Type (White, Wheatmeal, Light Grain or Heavy Grain) Regions where able to be purchased Type of Outlet (Supermarket, Dairy, Other) 2014 On Shelf Price Range ($ per loaf) Rivermill Wheatmeal Sandwich 600 Meal North Island only Fuel channel, dairies, fruit shops Rivermill Wheatmeal Toast 600 Meal North Island only Fuel channel, dairies, fruit shops Rivermill Nature's Grain Toast 600 Light Grain North Island only Fuel channel, dairies, fruit shops Giant Multigrain Toast 600 Light Grain North Island only Supermarkets Giant Wheatmeal Toast 600 Meal North Island only Supermarkets Sunny Crust Multigrain Toast 600 Light Grain National Supermarkets Sunny Crust Wholemeal Toast 600 Meal National Supermarkets Golden Bake Wheatmeal Sandwich 600 Meal South Island only Fuel channel, dairies, fruit shops Golden Bake Wheatmeal Toast 600 Meal South Island only Fuel channel, dairies, fruit shops Budget Multigrain Toast 600 Light Grain Lower North Island only Pak n Save, New World, 4 Square 1.00 Molenberg Balance Toast 700 Meal National Supermarkets Molenberg Balance Sandwich 700 Meal National Supermarkets Molenberg Vitality Toast 700 Light Grain National Supermarkets Molenberg Grains Plus Toast 700 Light Grain National Supermarkets Country Split Italian 450 White National Supermarkets Country Split Multigrain 450 Light Grain National Supermarkets TipTop Supersoft Honey Grain Toast 700 Light Grain National, Other TipTop Supersoft Multigrain Toast 700 Light Grain National, Other Tip Top Goodness Grains 9 Grain Toast 700 Light Grain National, Other 2.58 to 3.66, 2 for $5 is 2.61 to 3.48, 2 for $5 is 2.6 to 3.48, 2 for $5 is 8

9 TipTop Goodness Grains Soy & Linseed Toast 700 Light Grain National, Other TipTop Goodness Grains Original Swiss Toast 700 Light Grain National, Other TipTop Goodness Grains Original Swiss Sandwich 700 Light Grain National, Other TipTop Goodness Grains Original Swiss Super Thick 700 Light Grain National, Other TipTop Cranberry and Coconut 500 Fruit Bread National, Other Burgen Bread Soy Linseed Toast 700 Heavy Grain National, Other Burgen Bread Soy Linseed 700 Heavy Grain National, Other Burgen Bread Mix Grain Toast 700 Heavy Grain National, Other Burgen Bread Mix Grain 700 Heavy Grain National, Other Burgen Bread Pumpkin Seed Chia 700 Heavy Grain National, Other Burgen Bread Ancient Grains 700 Heavy Grain National, Other 2.6 to 3.54, 2 for $5 is 2.62 to 3.52, 2 for $5 is 2 for $5 is lowest promo price 2.5 to 3.67, 2 for $5 is 3.54 to 4.55, $3.50 is 3.09 to 4.1, $3 is lowest promo price 3.07 to 4.1, $3 is lowest promo price 3.05 to 4.08, $3 is lowest promo price 3.06 to 4.1, $3 is lowest promo price 3.1 to 4.07, $3 is lowest promo price 3.29 to 4.89, $3 is lowest promo price Burgen Bread Mixed Grains Original Sandwich 740 Heavy Grain National, Other $3 is Burgen Bread Mixed Grains Original Toast 740 Heavy Grain National, Other $3 is Goldmax Mixed Grain Toast 550 Light Grain National Dairy, Other Goldmax Wheatmeal Sandwich 550 Wheatmeal National Dairy, Other 1 to 1.72, Dairy price is $1 to $ to 1.75, Dairy price is $1 to $2 9

10 Goldmax Wheatmeal Toast 550 Wheatmeal National Dairy, Other Goldmax White Sandwich 550 White National Dairy, Other Goldmax White Toast 550 White National Dairy, Other Norths Multigrain Toast 600 Light Grain National Norths Wheatmeal Toast 600 Wheatmeal National Norths White Toast 600 White National Budget White Toast 600 White Budget white Sandwich 600 White Budget Multigrain Toast 600 Light Grain Budget Multigrain Sandwich 600 Light Grain Budget Wheatmeal Toast 600 Wheatmeal 1 to 1.74, Dairy price is $1 to $ to 1.79, Dairy price is $1 to $2 1 to 1.71, Dairy price is $1 to $ to 1.84, Promoted at $1 and 3 for $ to 1.78, Promoted at $1 and 3 for $ to 1.78, Promoted at $1 and 3 for $ to 1.58, Promoted to 99c in Pak N Save and $1 in New World 0.98 to 1.63, Promoted to 99c in Pak N Save and $1 in New World 0.97 to 1.64, Promoted to 99c in Pak N Save and $1 in New World 0.99 to 1.65, Promoted to 99c in Pak N Save and $1 in New World 0.98 to 1.62, Promoted to 99c in Pak N Save and $1 in New World 10

11 Budget Wheatmeal Sandwich 600 Wheatmeal Pams White Toast 700 White Pams white Sandwich 700 White Pams Multigrain Toast 700 Light Grain Pams Multigrain Sandwich 700 Light Grain Pams Wheatmeal Toast 700 Wheatmeal Pams Wheatmeal Sandwich 700 Wheatmeal 0.97 to 1.53, Promoted to 99c in Pak N Save and $1 in New World 1.98 to 2.39, 3 for $ to 2.39, 3 for $ to 2.38, 3 for $ to 2.38, 3 for $ to 2.4, 3 for $ to 2.4, 3 for $5 Salba White Toast 750 White North Island Supermarket $4.10 Salba White Sandwich 750 White North Island Supermarket $4.10 WB497 Plain Pack Multigrain Toast 600 Light Grain Gisborne, East Coast, Wairoa Pak n Save Gisborne, Other $1.48 WB640 Eastlander Multigrain 600 Light Grain Gisborne, East Coast, Wairoa Dairies $1.70 WB220 Gizzy Sourdough White 650 White Gisborne Pak n Save Gisborne $2.69 WB225 Gizzy Sourdough Multigrain 650 Light Grain Gisborne Pak n Save Gisborne $

12 Proportion of breads fortified with folic acid The proportion of breads fortified with folic acid is calculated as a percentage of production volume of packaged sliced breads marketed and/or distributed in New Zealand by NZAB members. NZAB members produce in excess of 90% of the packaged sliced breads in New Zealand. This includes production of NZAB branded products, and also production of private label products. Individual companies provided production volumes to the author of this report who then collated the information to determine the percentages as shown in Table 2 below. Production volumes include private label production. Table 2 Percentage of packaged sliced breads fortified with folic acid December Production Production Production 2014 NZAB Branded Private Label Total The NZAB COP states the following objective: The aspirational goal over time is for industry to work towards fortifying with folic acid a minimum of 25% and up to 50%, by volume, reported as production volume numbers, of packaged sliced loaf breads (including private label products) marketed and distributed in New Zealand, by NZAB members. A minimum of 25% by volume will be fortified by the end of In December % of packaged sliced breads produced by NZAB member companies were fortified with folic acid, so the minimum target of the COP has just been achieved. Back in 2013 it was anticipated that the actual 2014 fortified volume would be at least 25%, but delays in implementation of, and changes to, company marketing plans resulted in launch of newly fortified products towards the end of the year rather than the beginning of the year as originally planned. Year on year percentage of folic acid fortified NZAB branded product has decreased. This is a reflection of fluctuations in product mix of actual sales rather than planned production decrease. Of the five NZAB companies who fortify product with folic acid, two are large manufacturers that produce the majority of packaged bread available in New Zealand both under their own branding and on behalf of private label companies. One of the two companies in calendar year 2014 had 12

13 fortified 35.5% of their total (own brand and private label combined) production (59.4% in December), whereas the other only fortified 12.5% (14.6% in December). Currently, one company is exceeding the code of practice requirement, while the other has yet to meet minimum requirement. The company which has yet to meet minimum requirements does have plans in place to at least meet the minimum requirement in Also affecting these results is that only one private label partner has signed up to the code of practice at this time. Audit of breads claimed to be fortified with folic acid Background to Audit Industry developed the COP with the support of MPI. The COP, requires that an annual audit of all bread formulations claiming folic acid fortification, by manufacturer, be audited and tested for folic acid. Where a company sells the product in both the North and South Islands, product from both islands is to be audited. The audit and results described in this report are to meet the COP requirements. The audit is designed to show how well or not manufacturing companies are fortifying the products they claim to be fortifying. Method NZAB member companies each provided a list of the folic acid fortified products they manufacture and in which regions the products are available. They also advised products which had formulations in common. With sampling required in both North and South Islands where a company sold the product in both regions the resulting audit list required that 64 breads be sampled. All folic acid fortified bread formulations were audited by manufacturing company and by island (if applicable). Audit samples were collected in June/July and/or November/December All formulations were audited at least once. Samples (1 loaf of each product) for each company were collected from stores in areas where their products were known to be sold. The lead auditor assigned a shopping list to an independent shopper in each of the applicable regions. Samples were purchased and details such as date code, colour of closure tag, date of purchase and store location were noted. Products were then couriered overnight to Auckland or Christchurch, where Nutrition Information Panel (NIP) and ingredient list 13

14 pack information was scanned. Following this, samples were coded and then delivered to AsureQuality for testing. Analysis of folic acid content Samples were tested by AsureQuality using the Biacore Method (based on AOAC method ). The uncertainty of measurement (error value) for this test is 9.8%. Results Table 3 is a summary of the combined audit results for companies manufacturing folic acid fortified breads. Full results are shown in appendix 2 Table 3 Summary of Audit Results Bread Formulations Number of Samples with Folic Acid Test Result r (µg/100g) Percentage of results with Folic Acid Test Result r (µg/100g) Audit Jun/Jul 14 Nov/Dec 14 Total Total Number Tested Number from Previous Audit Retested NA 3 NA r < r < r < r r > r < r < r < r r > r Audit results show that the average fortification levels of all breads sampled was 186 µg per 100 grams of bread. The median fortification levels (interquartile range (IQR)) for all bread analyses was 171 µg /100 g (IQR: 140, 215 µg /100 g). 84% of all samples tested had folic acid test results in the range of 100 r 250 µg /100 g. No breads were found to have folic acid levels of less than 50 µg /100 g, and only 2 samples (3%) had less than 100 µg /100 g. These low results were brought to the attention of the relevant companies 14

15 so that corrective action could be taken. This 3% compares with 23% of breads tested in 2013 having less than 50 µg /100 g of folic acid and 37% less than 100 µg /100 g. In the first audit round four breads were found to have levels of folic acid in excess of 300 µg /100g. The manufacturing company which produced this bread worked throughout the year to update all of its formulations. While only one of the four breads was available to be purchased on the day of the second audit, it had a folic acid level of 232 µg /100 g and no other breads produced by that company and tested in the second round exceeded the 300 µg /100 g level. The results presented in Appendix 2 shows the on pack labelling of fortified breads for each bread audited. Not all packaging listed the folate content in the NIP. Of those that did, the labelled folate content was presented as: 130, 150, 200 and 300 µg /100 g. Note that the 300 µg /100 g was an error on the pack of one bread variant where the manufacturer was running out stock of old packaging. Companies targeted 80 to 180 µg/100g under the voluntary regime between 2009 and 2012 and are still in the process of reviewing formulations and updating targeted folic acid levels to the COP target of 200 µg folic acid/100g. Newly fortified products are all targeting 200 µg /100 g, and as products and packaging are reviewed, formulations are being revised to target the 200 µg /100 g. Looking at the results of the breads where NIP information is not available it would appear that the majority of products where folate is not listed in the NIP, are targeting the 200 µg /100 g level. It was also noted that in the November/December audit six breads that were fortified with folic acid did not mention folate or folic acid anywhere on pack. These breads were audited in the first week of their formulations being fortified. When contacted the manufacturing company responsible advised that in a few cases run out of old packaging and introduction of new did not quite coincide with new formulations being introduced, but that all variants would be in their new packaging within a week. 15

16 Discussion A range of affordable bread products are now fortified with folic acid throughout New Zealand. Progress has been made throughout 2014 to increase the range of products available, and by December 58 products representing 25.3% of the total volume produced for that month were fortified with folic acid. Under the New Zealand (Permitted Fortification of Bread with Folic Acid) Food Standard 2012, bread can contain a maximum of 250µg of folic acid per 100g of finished product. The NZAB COP has a target level for folic acid of 200µg/100g finished bread product. Previous to this, companies targeted 80 to 180 µg/100g under the voluntary regime between 2009 and Companies are working to update formulations and packaging to reflect the new target. In 2013 and early 2014 BIRT discussed audit results and possible corrective actions with each of the companies. Priorities were to be considered in the following order: 1. ensuring processes are in place so that folic acid is actually being added to those products claiming to be fortified 2. achieving folic acid levels in the ballpark of the targeted level (i.e., first aim for +/- 50µg of targeted level) which may or may not have been revised to the COP 200 µg/100g level 3. targeting and consistently adding folic acid premix to achieve COP target of 200 µg/100g finished product Significant progress has been made in the accuracy of fortifying bread at the targeted level since audit results indicate that all companies fortifying bread with folic acid are now achieving priority 1, (i.e. confirmed addition of folic acid). Almost all companies have achieved priority 2 as indicated by our final round of audit results. Companies are now focusing on consistently achieving target levels, and revising formulations and packaging where necessary to the COP target of 200 µg/100g. The next round of auditing will provide a measure as to how work is progressing in this area. Nearly half the breads in 2013 had folic acid levels between 100 µg/100g and 250 µg/100g (43% and 46% respectively in May/July and October/November). This has increased to 84% in 2014 which indicates that the industry is getting to grips with the technical difficulties of fortifying a leavened product with minute quantities of a vitamin and are now achieving priority 2 and well on their way to achieving priority 3 as well. 16

17 Next Steps On-going review and updating of formulations will help to achieve the targeted 200 µg folic acid/100g across all finished products. Continuing work on determining folic acid premix addition levels for each bread type and process should eventually mean that the targeted level is consistently achieved. Encouragement of COP signatories who have not met their obligations under the COP to increase their efforts, and continued lobbying of the Private Label Partner who has yet to sign the COP, should see the overall percentage by volume of folic acid fortified breads increase towards the COP aspirational target of 50%. Next audits are scheduled to be carried out in June and November

18 Appendices Appendix 1 New Zealand Association of Bakers (NZAB) and Private Label Partner s Code of Practice for Voluntary Folic Acid Fortification of Bread is shown below. It has been signed by the following companies: Breadcraft (Wai) Ltd Foodstuffs Own Brands George Weston Foods (NZ) Ltd Goodman Fielder New Zealand Ltd Walter Findlay Ltd Yarrows (The Bakers) 2011 Ltd 18

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22 Appendix 2 Results - Folic Acid Bread Audit: June December 2014 Sample Code NIP Folate (µg/100g) On Pack Information Ingredients (Y/N) Duplicate Test Results FOLIC ACID TEST RESULTS (µg/100g) Jun/Jul 14 Average of Duplicates Nov/Dec 14 Average of Duplicate Test Results Duplicates Y, Vitamin (Folate) Not in NIP Y, Folic Acid Y, Vitamin (Folic Acid) Y, Vitamin (Folic Acid) Not in NIP Y, Folic Acid Y, Vitamin (Folic Acid) Y, Vitamin (Folic Acid) Not in NIP Y, Folic Acid Not in NIP Y, Vitamin (Folic Acid) Not in NIP Y, Vitamin (Folic Acid) Not in NIP N Not in NIP N Not in NIP N Y, Vitamin (Folate) Y, Vitamin (Folate) Y, Vitamin (Folic Acid) Not in NIP Y, Vitamin (Folic Acid) Not in NIP N Not in NIP Y, Vitamin (Folate) Y, Vitamin (Folic Acid) Not in NIP Y, Vitamin (Folate) Y, Vitamin (Folic Acid) Y, Vitamin (Folic Acid) Not in NIP Y, Folic Acid Not in NIP Y, Folic Acid Not in NIP Y, Folic Acid Not in NIP Y, Folic Acid Not in NIP Y, Folic Acid Y, Vitamin (Folic Acid) Y, Vitamin (Folic Acid) Not in NIP Y, Vitamin (Folic Acid) Not in NIP Y, Folic Acid Not in NIP Y, Folic Acid Y, Vitamin (Folic Acid) Y, Vitamin (Folic Acid) Not in NIP Y, Folic Acid Not in NIP Y, Folic Acid Y, Folic Acid Not in NIP Y, Folic Acid Not in NIP Y, Folic Acid Not in NIP Y, Folic Acid Not in NIP Y, Folic Acid Y, Vitamin (Folate) Not in NIP Y, Folic Acid Y, Vitamin (Folic Acid) Not in NIP Y, Folic Acid Y, Vitamin (Folic Acid) Y, Vitamin (Folic Acid) Y, Vitamin (Folic Acid) Not in NIP Y, Vitamin (Folate) Y, Vitamin (Folic Acid) Y, Vitamin (Folic Acid) Y, Vitamin (Folate) Not in NIP Y, Vitamin (Folic Acid) Y, Vitamin (Folic Acid) Y, Vitamin (Folate) Not in NIP Y, Vitamin (Folic Acid) Not in NIP Y, Vitamin (Folic Acid) Not in NIP Y, Vitamin (Folic Acid) Y, Vitamin (Folic Acid) Not in NIP N Not in NIP N Y, Vitamin (Folic Acid) Not in NIP Y, Vitamin (Folate)