Iron and folic acid: natural, enriched, fortified, and supplements. Analysis of food sources in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires

INTRODUCTION: Fortification and supplementation are two strategies for micronutrient deficiency prevention. The objective of this study was to describe the source of iron and folic acid intake throughout the life cycle in the population of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. POULATION AND METHODS: Analysis of the information collected in the First Survey on Nutritional Food Intake of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (2011), which had a probability cluster sampling design. Consumption was assessed by means of a 24-hour recall. Iron and folic acid intake was estimated and categorized into natural content, enriched wheat flour, milk from the Maternal and Child Plan, fortified foods, and supplements. RESULTS: Out of the 5369 studied individuals, practically all got iron and folic acid from natural contents (58 % and 29 % of intake, respectively). More than 90 % consumed enriched wheat flour, which provided 28 % of iron and 54 % of folic acid. Fortified food consumption and intake varied greatly. Milk intake from the Maternal and Child Plan was small, even in specific groups. Intake from supplements was low, except in children < 2 years old (30 % consumed iron supplements, which accounted for 38 % of iron). CONCLUSION: In addition to natural intake from foods, enriched wheat flour accounted for a major source of folic acid and iron in this population; intake from fortified foods and supplements varied by age group.