The anti-waste and circular economy law, known as the AGEC law, plans to inform the consumer of the presence in a product of any substance considered to be an endocrine disruptor (ED). however, following an expert assessment within the framework of the biocides regulation (products for eliminating rodents), the European Chemicals Agency identified cholecalciferol (i.e. vitamin D) as a disruptive endocrine, considering that the vitamin D present in certain foods should be identified “PE” on the labels.
In an opinion published on October 27, ANSES advises against including vitamin D3 in the list of substances to be displayed as an endocrine disruptor on food products, as this “would contribute to giving an erroneous perception of the risk and could deter some people from consumption of foods containing vitamin D”.
Pay particular attention to the risk of overdose.
Vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol, is essential for the proper functioning of our body and plays a decisive role in the quality of bone tissue. It also presents other health benefits such as the proper functioning of muscles (including the heart) and the immune system. It is provided by food (dairy products, fish, eggs) and is produced by skin exposed to the sun. Nevertheless, more than 1 in 3 French people fail to meet their physiological vitamin D3 needs, and it is often recommended to take a supplement, especially in winter when we are less exposed to the sun.
Unlike other vitamins, vitamin D behaves like a hormone. As such, it acts on the endocrine system. In case of too high intake, the endocrine balance is disturbed which causes adverse health effects. This is how it was identified as an endocrine disruptor by the European Chemicals Agency. ANSES stresses, however, that the doses of cholecalciferol used in biocidal products to kill rodents are much higher than the doses of vitamin D provided by everyday food, including foods fortified with vitamin D. It is therefore unfavorable to the fact that include this vitamin in the list of ED substances to be displayed on food products.
