Scaling up Vitamin D microcapsules for improved fortification in beverages

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Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent worldwide which can have negative impacts on bone health and immunity. In the UK, mean intakes are well below the Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) of 10ug across all age groups- including up to a third of all adults (NDNS results from years 9-11 combined). Despite a UK government recommendation to take a supplement during winter months, compliance is very low (NHS UK). This is a global issue with about 1 billion people with low levels.The problem is exacerbated as more people transition towards a plant-based diets omitting or reducing animal derived foods that naturally contain Vitamin D for both health and environmental reasons.The World Health Organisation recognises fortification of foods as a key strategy to address widespread Vitamin D deficiency (WHO).To have the greatest impact vitamin D needs to be included in categories consumed across all age groups regularly and are affordable and attractive for all socio-demographics. Fruit squashes are therefore an ideal vehicle for fortification, however, this can prove challenging as Vitamin D is degraded by UV light, low pH and processes such as pasteurisation. Xampla has developed an innovative plant-based microencapsulation technology that protects Vitamin D in challenging beverage formulations. Xampla has been working in partnership with Britvic to improve the fortification of their products with added vitamins.The aim of this project is to demonstrate and de-risk the scalability and cost efficiency of innovative vitamin D microcapsule manufacturing, to enable widespread vitamin D fortification of beverages.This project will allow us to accelerate our ambitious plans to produce the volumes of microcapsules required to efficiently fortify more products with vitamin D and other nutrients, and deliver better, healthier food and drink for the global population.