New health row over extras added to cereals

A major debate over the safety of breakfast cereals was ignited today after a health scare over added ingredients.

It came following a ban on sales by Kellogg's in Denmark of a string of bestselling products - including Rice Krispies, Cornflakes and Special K - amid concern over the quantity of added vitamins and minerals.

Danish food watchdogs say the products contain so much vitamin B6, B12, folic acid, iron and calcium that consumers could "overdose".

But Kellogg's today moved swiftly to limit the damage. It said it was appealing against the ruling by the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (DVFA).

The DVFA warned yesterday that cereals and snack bars fortified with extra minerals and vitamins could cause liver and kidney damage. Besides a risk of consumers "overdosing" on vitamins, it said, there could also be a danger to unborn babies if the products were consumed regularly by pregnant women.

However the company today said it was baffled by the decision and insisted the supposed risk was a "non-issue".

Chris Wermann, Kellogg's European director of corporate affairs said: "The Danes supplement their diets by taking vitamin pills every day. The Danish government encourages this because of the very basic diet in their country.

"But this issue has been misrepresented. Their scientists are saying excessive consumption is bad for you - not that eating Kellogg's products is bad for you."

British food authorities today rushed out a statement to reassure consumers about eating fortified cereals. The Food Standards Agency said: "Our dietary survey shows that people's diets in the UK, which include fortified breakfast cereals and snacks, are well below the recommended maximum levels of vitamins and minerals."

Large doses of B6 can cause nerve damage. Night restlessness, vivid dreams, sun sensitivity and an acne-like rash may also occur with doses of 150mg a day or more.

B12 has been associated with some very rare allergic reactions and skin eruptions. There have been some studies that show very high intakes of B12 may encourage cancer - but this has been contradicted by other research.

Nutritionists say vitamins are usually considered good for health, but taking large amounts of supplements and pills can cause ill-effects.

And they advise healthy people that eating a good, varied diet with at least five portions of fruit and vegetables will ensure they get enough vitamins and minerals.

Amanda Wynne, of the British Dietetic Association, said: "There is no need to be concerned about consuming excess vitamins and minerals from foods such as breakfast cereals. The amount present will not be harmful to health, and in fact cereals with milk make a great start to the day.

"We would, however, recommend avoiding excess intakes of high-dose supplements, which could lead to intakes of vitamins and minerals that could be harmful."

Brigid McKevith, a nutrition scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation, said: "The Danish have a very strict policy on what foods can be fortified.

"The amount added to foods is very tightly controlled - but the problems tend to come with mega-consumption of supplements, not fortified foods.

"In the UK fortified foods are an important source of these micro-nutrients which we tend to have a low intake of. For example 50 per cent of young women have a very low intake of iron."

But Denmark's National Consumer Agency, which has traditionally fought to keep additives out of Danish food, welcomed the watchdog's decision.