Zinc

Zinc is an essential mineral, naturally found in foods like meat, shellfish, legumes, nuts, and seeds. It plays a vital role in numerous bodily functions, including immune system activity, wound healing, and cell growth. In food production, it is typically added as a purified mineral compound.

Zinc is commonly added to foods as a nutritional supplement to fortify them and help consumers meet their dietary requirements for this essential mineral. It is frequently found in breakfast cereals, nutritional supplements, and some processed meals.

Zinc is not considered a food additive and is not assigned an E-number. It is an essential nutrient, and the UK government provides dietary reference values for its intake. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has evaluated the safety of zinc compounds when used as nutrient sources in food supplements and fortified foods, concluding they are safe under specified conditions. While zinc is crucial for health, very high intakes can interfere with the absorption of other minerals like copper. Evidence does not suggest that typical dietary intake from fortified foods causes adverse health effects.