Refined grains are often highlighted as a food that is over-consumed by Americans, with recommendations to limit or reduce intake in healthy dietary patterns. However, enriched and fortified refined grain food products, including bagels, tortillas, rolls, and bread, are a key source of micronutrients in the U.S. diet. Modeling the Contribution of Enrichment and Fortification […]
Fortification/enrichment
Study Links Grain Foods to Healthier Diet Patterns, Metabolic Health and Everyday Accessibility (September 2025)
A new study published in Nutrients, which analyzed the diets of more than 14,000 Americans over five years, found that both whole and refined grain foods play a role in improved diet quality, nutrient intake and everyday accessibility.
White Paper: History and Public Health Benefits of Enrichment and Fortification of Refined Grains (March 2025)
Explore the rich history and role of refined grain enrichment and fortification in improving public health.
Do Refined Grains Have a Place in a Healthy Dietary Pattern? Perspectives from an Expert Panel Consensus Meeting (October 2020)
Emerging research suggests that certain refined grains can be part of a healthy diet. A scientific expert panel reviewed studies since the 2015 Dietary Guidelines, focusing on nutrient intake, diet quality, grain enrichment/fortification, and links to weight outcomes.
Grain Foods in US Infants Are Associated with Greater Nutrient Intakes, Improved Diet Quality and Increased Consumption of Recommended Food Groups (November 2019)
Grain foods may play an essential role in the diets of U.S. infants, according to an analysis of infant data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The study examined relationships between grain consumption, nutrient intake, diet quality, and food group consumption among infants aged 6 to 23 months.
Nutrients in the US Diet: Naturally Occurring or Enriched/Fortified Food and Beverage Sources, Plus Dietary Supplements: NHANES 2009–2012 (August 2019)
Nutrient intake in the U.S. diet comes from naturally occurring sources, fortification/enrichment, and dietary supplements (DSs). This study analyzed data from NHANES 2009–2012 to assess how these sources contribute to meeting Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for 15 micronutrients across various population groups.
