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Vitamin D to be added to M&S bread Vitamin D to be added to M&S bread
(about 7 hours later)
Marks and Spencer is to become the first UK retailer to add vitamin D to all its packaged bread and bread rolls.Marks and Spencer is to become the first UK retailer to add vitamin D to all its packaged bread and bread rolls.
The firm says two slices of its bread will provide a minimum of 15% of the daily requirement of the vitamin, which helps to keep bones and teeth healthyThe firm says two slices of its bread will provide a minimum of 15% of the daily requirement of the vitamin, which helps to keep bones and teeth healthy
The M&S range will contain yeast that been exposed to UV light, naturally raising the vitamin D content.The M&S range will contain yeast that been exposed to UV light, naturally raising the vitamin D content.
Vitamin D is mostly obtained from the action of sunlight on skin but natural sources include oily fish and eggs.Vitamin D is mostly obtained from the action of sunlight on skin but natural sources include oily fish and eggs.
At present it is generally only added to breakfast cereals, margarine and some yogurts and drinks.At present it is generally only added to breakfast cereals, margarine and some yogurts and drinks.
M&S says a survey of 2,476 of its customers suggested they were concerned about not getting their recommended daily amount of vitamin, with 78% saying they would welcome the enrichment of products.M&S says a survey of 2,476 of its customers suggested they were concerned about not getting their recommended daily amount of vitamin, with 78% saying they would welcome the enrichment of products.
The range will start to be sold from next week.The range will start to be sold from next week.
'Hidden epidemic''Hidden epidemic'
Medical experts have recently expressed concerns about a rise in rickets cases in children in the UK, because of vitamin D deficiency. Studies have also indicated vitamin D can help protect people against cancer, Alzheimer's and osteoporosis. Medical experts have recently expressed concerns about a rise in rickets cases in children in the UK, because of vitamin D deficiency. Studies have also indicated vitamin D, which helps to regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, can protect people against cancer, Alzheimer's and osteoporosis.
The NHS advisory body, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), said last year that more people should be given vitamin D tablets to counter a hidden epidemic of deficiency in England.The NHS advisory body, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), said last year that more people should be given vitamin D tablets to counter a hidden epidemic of deficiency in England.
The chief medical officer in England also urged doctors to prescribe tablets to those most at risk of having low levels of the vitamin, and similar advice was issued in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.The chief medical officer in England also urged doctors to prescribe tablets to those most at risk of having low levels of the vitamin, and similar advice was issued in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
M&S's move has the backing of the National Osteoporosis Society, whose chief executive Claire Severgnini said: "Vitamin D is a vital nutrient that sadly many people are lacking.M&S's move has the backing of the National Osteoporosis Society, whose chief executive Claire Severgnini said: "Vitamin D is a vital nutrient that sadly many people are lacking.
"Safe sun exposure is an excellent way of obtaining natural vitamin D, however levels can be topped up through diet.""Safe sun exposure is an excellent way of obtaining natural vitamin D, however levels can be topped up through diet."
Nutritionist Laura de la Harpe told BBC Radio 5 live people were becoming more aware of the need of getting vitamin D in their diet and from sunshine.Nutritionist Laura de la Harpe told BBC Radio 5 live people were becoming more aware of the need of getting vitamin D in their diet and from sunshine.
"Where people have gone on low fat diets over the last 20 or 30 years, maybe some haven't got enough vitamin D," she said."Where people have gone on low fat diets over the last 20 or 30 years, maybe some haven't got enough vitamin D," she said.