Call to make vitamin D a food additive [news]

VITAMIN D should be added to more Australian foods to prevent widespread deficiencies, a conference will be told today. About 30 per cent of the Australian population has low levels of vitamin D, which is mostly absorbed through the skin after exposure to direct sunlight. But with one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world, it's difficult for Australians to absorb the recommended amount without increasing skin cancer risk, Deakin University researcher Caryl Nowson said. Advertisement: Story continues below Vitamin D levels often drop among people living in southern states, she said. Professor Nowson said Australia should follow the lead of countries such as Canada and add more vitamin D to the food supply.