The COT agreed that the EFSA TUL of 100 μg/day (4000 IU/day) set for adults (≥ 18 years) was appropriate for pregnant and lactating women (SACN, 2016). Vitamin D exposures in maternal health Sources of vitamin D exposure Ultraviolet (UV) radiation While some of the health claims around vitamin D might have been exaggerated, the buzz around this nutrient isn't without reason. Experts agree it's the one vitamin we should all be taking in the UK, especially during the winter months. Some supplements contain both vitamins D and K together. This is because both are needed for calcium metabolism: vitamin D promotes calcium absorption and vitamin K promotes the calcification of bones and reduces the calcification of soft tissues such as blood vessels (which is a risk with very high vitamin D and calcium intake). Jukic, A.M.Z., Baird, D.D., Weinberg, C.R., Wilcox, A.J., McConnaughey, D.R. and Steiner, A.Z. (2019). Pre-conception 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 (OH) D) and fecundability. Human Reproduction, 34(11), pp.2163-2172.

Minimum and maximum estimated vitamin D levels for margarine and fat spreads were 50 and 75 µg/kg (2,000-3,000 IU) (Sainsbury’s, Tesco, 2020) respectively. For breakfast cereals minimum and maximum estimated vitamin D levels were 25 and 84 µg/kg (1,000 and 3,360 IU) (Sainsbury’s 2020). For dried milk minimum and maximum estimated vitamin D levels were 1.5 and 46 µg/kg (60 and 1,840 IU) respectively, and for evaporated milk estimated vitamin D levels were 26 and 29 µg/kg. Plant-based drinks had minimum and maximum estimated vitamin D levels of 7.5 and 18 µg/kg (300-720 IU), respectively. More specifically soya, coconut and almond milk alternatives had vitamin D levels of 7.5 µg/kg (300 IU) and oat milk alternatives had minimum and maximum estimated vitamin D levels of 7.5 and 18 µg/kg (300-720 IU), respectively (Sainsbury’s, Tesco, 2020).

Breastfed babies should also have between 8.5-10mcg a day. Babies on formula milk don't need an additional supplement as it already contains vitamin D. You can find out more in our guide to vitamin D supplements for babies and children. Topical UV radiation is unable to increase systemic exposure to vitamin D sufficiently to cause toxicity, due to the inbuilt mechanisms for degradation of excess vitamin D in the skin. Dietary exposure to vitamin D from consumption of foods (excluding supplements), is very unlikely to result in sufficiently high levels of intake of the vitamin to be any cause for concern. Consumption of higher strength vitamin D supplements, either alone or in combination with dietary intake, may result in exposure levels that exceed the TUL and would therefore be of potential health concern. Consumption of lower strength supplements aimed at pregnant and breast-feeding women, either alone or in combination with dietary intake, is very unlikely to result in excessive exposure to vitamin D. COT Statement 01/22

As discussed in paragraph 46, the form of vitamin D with which these foods were fortified was not specified. However, the respective exposures were compared to the TUL of 100 µg/day (4,000 IU/day), which is protective of both forms of vitamin D (D2 and D3). Exposure estimates from supplements onlyAs noted above, in 2016, SACN set a reference nutrient intake (RNI) for vitamin D of 10 µg/day (400 IU/day) for the general population which included pregnant and lactating women and population groups at increased risk of having a serum 25(OH)D concentration <25 nmol/L (SACN, 2016). Ultimately it is important to highlight that there is some uncertainty with the estimated intakes discussed above. The NDNS excludes data for pregnant and lactating women, so women of child-bearing age (i.e. 16-49 years) have been used as a proxy for these consumer groups and there is little information on how their diets might differ. Conclusions