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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Today, RIVM will publish the new version of the Dutch Food Composition Database (Nederlands Voedingsstoffenbestand, NEVO). This contains information on the composition of more than 2,300 foods.

The National Approach to Product Improvement (Nationale Aanpak Productverbetering, in Dutch NAPV) is set to start this year.