asked the Minister for Health if he will state: (a) whether the margarine supplied in addition to the weekly 2-ounce ration of butter is vitaminised; (b) if so, to what extent; and (c) whether the vitamins contained in the combined butter and margarine ration are adequate for the preservation of good health; and (d) if not, whether it is his intention to cause the necessary additions of vitamins A and D to be supplemented.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Provision of Vitamins.
The margarine at present supplied to consumers is fortified with vitamin D to the extent of 90 international units per ounce. On the recommendation of my Department, steps were taken with a view to the fortification of margarine with vitamin A but the only supplies of this vitamin which are at present available are of such a nature that the flavour of the margarine would be likely to be deleteriously affected by their use.
The present combined butter and margarine ration provides a reasonable proportion of the requirements in respect of vitamin D. The amount of vitamin A provided by this ration is not sufficient, by itself, for nutritional requirements, but neither butter nor fortified margarine in the quantities at present available can be regarded as the principal means of providing those requirements. The other chief sources of this vitamin are milk, cheese, vegetables and fish oils. The latter are rich sources of vitamins A and D and are particularly suitable for children.
In September, 1944, local authorities were advised to maintain extra supplies of cod liver oil at dispensaries and to make it available to any parents who made application therefor, so that the vitamins obtainable from such oil might be available for children requiring them.
Will the Minister say what effect the shortage is likely to have on the health of the community?
It is not at all likely to have any bad effect because, as I said, ordinarily vitamin A does not come principally from butter or margarine. Vitamin A is stored in the human body in the summer.
When we get sun.
It is contained in fresh vegetables, milk, and so on, and it is known to be stored in the human body up to 12 months.