Page 9 - National Poultry Newspaper

New research reveals eggs contain 82 percent of daily vitamin D intake
VITAMIN D deficiency is common in Australia, with almost a quarter of adults having a mild or moderate deficiency.
Latest research from Aus- tralian Eggs found an aver- age serve of eggs (two 60g eggs) provides a substantial portion of the recommended dietary vitamin D intake, proving eggs are one of the highest natural sources of vi- tamin D.
As advancements in re- search continue to uncover the proven nutritional ben- efits of the humble egg, Australians are upping their daily consumption to an av- erage of 17 million eggs per day – that’s about 245 eggs per person, per year.
Vitamin D deficiencies more than double in winter.
The Australian Health Sur- vey reveals deficiency rates range from 36 percent in winter to 14 percent in sum- mer.
Many Australians will be quick to reach for supple- ments, with nearly half of all Aussies said to take vitamins and supplements.
With the high cost of sup- plements and speculation around their health benefits, experts advise sticking to natural food sources where possible.
With an average serve of eggs offering 82 percent of the recommended dietary in- take, eggs are a preferable choice for Aussies who would consider supplements and for
those looking to boost their vitamin D levels this winter.
Australian general practi- tioner Dr Ginni Mansberg said, “Australians are con- fidently reaching for a car- ton of eggs more than ever before.”
“In just one egg there are 11 different vitamins and nu- trients packed into just 300 kilojoules.
“In Australia, it’s actually very hard to get more than about 5 or 10 percent of our D requirement from most food because we don’t fortify by adding vitamin D to many things.
“This could be a massive game changer for those suf- fering from Vitamin D defi- ciencies.”
Vitamin D is essential for the body to absorb calcium effectively, which is impor- tant for bone health and mus- cle function.
Severe vitamin D deficien- cies could have major health ramifications – linked to serious conditions such as osteoporosis, diabetes and multiple sclerosis.
“Eggs might be able to help keep vitamin D levels high to lower the risk of disease, maintain strong bones and teeth, as well as lower the risk of cardiovascular dis- ease,” Dr Mansberg said.
“Eggs are a highly nutri- tious food and should be included daily as part of a healthy and balanced diet.”
Poultry had food security story to tell on World Poultry Day
FOOD security was a big issue on World Poultry Day as pork production continues to fall due to African swine fever in pigs in China, with poultry expected to fill the gap in world protein supplies.
As poultry becomes the world’s most-consumed meat protein in 2019, the Inter- national Poultry Council called on producers worldwide to use World Poultry Day to engage consumers and critics about poultry’s role in food security and sustainability.
World Poultry Day was on May 10, and the IPC invited producers in every country to join in the celebration in the year in which total worldwide poultry consumption will top that of all the meat proteins.
The celebration comes at a time when there is a height- ened worldwide awareness of food insecurity.
Total worldwide poultry pro- duction will exceed that of pork in 2019 due to produc- tion losses from African swine fever in pigs in China and else- where.
With 2.2 billion more mouths to feed by 2050, experts es- timate food production must grow by 70 percent.
Poultry has demonstrated the ability to meet demand effi- ciently and sustainably.
World Poultry Day was first celebrated in 2012 in the IPC member country of Hungary, where it continues as an annual event.
Member-country Colombia’s first-time celebration in 2019 included a nationwide media campaign that recruited pro- ducer donations of poultry to
food banks for distribution to vulnerable families.
Brazil and India have plans to hold celebrations in future years.
IPC president Robin Horel said, “World Poultry Day dawned on May 10 with indus- try members working by the hundreds of thousands all over the world to produce and deliv- er to consumers the most nutri- tious, healthful and sustainable of all the meat proteins.”
“We invited poultry produc- ers in every country to join IPC in celebrating World Poultry Day and challenged them to use the opportunity to pro- actively engage in the debate about food security and sus- tainability.”
In conjunction with World Poultry Day, IPC released a video titled ‘A world without hunger’.
The video drives home the message that poultry promotes food security and provides healthy nutrition while being sustainable.
IPC’s vice president Ricardo Santin said, “Consumers and influencers are hungry to learn more about where their food comes from but unfortunately they are frequently getting an- swers from activist organisa-
tions rather than farmers and industry experts.”
“The video conveys poultry’s role in sustainably feeding the world’s growing population in a very relatable way.”
The video is just one part of IPC’s efforts to engage con- sumers and influencers with messaging about poultry’s role in safely, affordably and sus- tainably feeding the world’s growing population.
IPC, for example, is develop- ing messaging about poultry’s very efficient feed conversion, small carbon footprint and other traits that align with the United Nation’s Sustainability Development Goals.
Beginning in 2020, the IPC plans to recognise the best World Poultry Day campaigns from around the world.
For information about join- ing the International Poultry Council in the celebration of World Poultry Day, contact secretary general Marilia Ran- gel at marilia@international poultrycouncil.org
Country associations and companies involved in the poultry production and con- sumption chain are welcome to join the IPC.
The IPC was formed in 2005 by leading poultry-producing countries to determine areas of common interest and develop policies for the overall better- ment of the global industry.
The organisation currently has 29 country members and 56 associate members repre- senting more than 88 percent of the world’s poultry produc- tion and 95 percent of the poul- try trade.
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National Poultry Newspaper, June 2019 – Page 9
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