How do fortified foods and functional foods contribute to nutrient adequacy?

• A. Fortified foods do not provide extra nutrients; functional foods are only marketing.
• B. Fortified foods add nutrients to prevent deficiencies; functional foods contain ingredients purported to provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition.
• C. Fortified foods are the same as functional foods; both just marketing.
• D. Functional foods are banned in many countries due to safety concerns.

Answer: (B)

Fortified foods and functional foods address nutrition in different ways. Fortified foods add nutrients to a product on purpose to prevent deficiencies and help people meet daily nutrient targets, boosting nutrient adequacy. For example, adding iodine to salt or vitamin D to milk increases intake of those nutrients. Functional foods contain ingredients that are claimed to provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition, focusing on effects related to disease risk or overall health rather than simply meeting nutrient needs. That’s why fortified foods support nutrient adequacy, while functional foods offer potential extra health effects beyond essential nutrients. The other statements don’t fit: fortified foods do provide extra nutrients; they’re not the same as functional foods or just marketing; functional foods aren’t banned everywhere.