Question: What is the difference between enriched and fortified foods?
Answer: Enriched foods have had nutrients added to them that were originally lost during processing. Fortified foods have had nutrients added that are beyond what the foods originally contained.
Bread is enriched with B vitamins that are lost in the processing of white flour. That means that pasta, tortillas, and any products made with enriched white flour are also enriched foods.
Low-fat and non-fat milk are often fortified with vitamin A. Fortified foods are more common and include calcium fortified orange juice, iodine fortified salt and vitamin D fortified milk. Cereals and fruit juices are often fortified with vitamins and minerals, but unfortunately, they are often loaded with sugar as well.
Source: American Dietetic Association. "Enriched, Fortified: What's the Difference?" Updated April 2006.
