News | RIVM

Nutrition policy promising for public health and environment

There are opportunities for a nutrition policy that contributes both to public health and the environment. Existing measures from the National Prevention Agreement (NPA) and the new Coherent Prevention Strategy (SPS) may also have benefits for the environment.

Dutch Food Composition Database updated with new data on cereal products and types of flour

Today, RIVM will publish the new edition of the Dutch Food Composition Database (Nederlands Voedingsstoffenbestand, NEVO). This contains information on the nutritional value of more than 2,300 food products, including their composition in terms of protein, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins.

More foodborne infections in 2024, RIVM advises measures for chicken farmers

Nearly 2 million people are estimated to have fallen ill from a foodborne infection in the Netherlands in 2024 – an increase of more than 100,000 people compared to 2023. These findings are from the new annual report about foodborne infections.

A maximum of a quarter of the Dutch population has vitamin D deficiency in winter

By late winter 2023, 7 to 26 per cent of the Dutch population had vitamin D deficiency. This is the outcome of a study conducted by RIVM. Because the Netherlands has so little sunlight in winter, this is when the so-called vitamin D status (amount of vitamin D in the body) is at its lowest.

More and more adults drinking little alcohol or not at all

More and more adults are drinking no alcohol, or no more than one glass a day. Whereas 38 per cent drank little to no alcohol in 2012, this percentage rose to 45 per cent in 2024.

Dutch consumers can eat healthier and more environmentally sustainable for the same amount of money

The Dutch diet can be healthier and more environmentally sustainable without costing consumers more money. This holds for all socio-economic groups in the Netherlands. This concludes Reina Vellinga (RIVM) in her doctoral thesis. Even with minor adjustments, our diet becomes much healthier and with less impact on the environment.

Dutch population’s salt and sugar intakes go down, fibre intake goes up

On average, the sugar and salt intakes of the Dutch population have gone down, while its fibre intake has gone up. This is apparent from the latest Dutch National Food Consumption Survey (Voedselconsumptiepeiling, VCP) figures.

Dutch population’s iodine intake just about sufficient, salt intake still too high

RIVM research has shown that the Dutch population’s intake of iodine is barely sufficient. It is important that this intake does not decrease further, particularly for women of child-bearing age.

Doctoral research: Pure fruit juice is less bad for your health than soft drinks

Pure fruit juice is less bad for your health than drinks with added sugar, such as soft drinks. At the same time, it is not suitable as a direct substitute for eating fruit. This is Floor Scheffers' conclusion in her doctoral thesis.