Vitamin D in the news

What's in the news reports from our Government officials?

The Government advises that pregnant and breastfeeding women, and children under the age of 5 should take a vitamin D supplement. However, recent research reveals that many people, even some healthcare professionals are not aware of this advice.

Vitamin D is needed for the development and growth of healthy bones in children and to keep bones strong and healthy in adults. Deficiency in vitamin D can lead to a bone disease in young children called rickets. This is where the bones become soft and don't grow properly. Even mild deficiency can still cause muscle weakness, delay in walking and bone pains.

There has been an increase in child rickets over the past 15 years, causing concern that a lack of exposure to sunlight, owing to concerns over skin cancer, combined with poor diet may be responsible.

We get vitamin D from the action of sunlight on the skin and from what we eat although it  is present in only a few foods, such as oily fish like salmon and sardines, and egg yolks. Margarine, some other spreads and some breakfast cereals are fortified with vitamin D and other vitamins.

Here's some advice on what you can do from our experts

It's advisable to take a supplement designed for pregnant or breastfeeding women that contains vitamin D. It's also recommended that all children under 5 receive supplements containing vitamins A, C and D, designed for young children .

At Heinz we know from talking to mums that healthy growth and development is the most important thing for you and your baby. This is why we ensure our products provide a source of the key nutrients needed by growing babies and toddlers.

A serving of Heinz Breakfasts or Dinners provide a third of a baby's key daily vitamins and minerals including vitamin D. Our Farley's rusks also provide a source of vitamin D to help with healthy bone growth.

Other products in our range such as our Mum's Own savoury jars and Taste of Home pots provide a source of iron for healthy brain development and our fruity pots range provides 40% of the vitamin C that your baby needs each day. We make our food this way because for us, for you and for your baby, Every Mouthful Matters.