Vitamin B12 [1]
Why do we study vitamin B12 intake?
- Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in red blood cell formation, neurological function, and DNA synthesis. It is also important for energy metabolism and maintaining the health of the nervous system.
- Vitamin B12 is naturally found in animal-based foods such as meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, and liver. It is not present in plant-based foods unless they are fortified. As a result, individuals following a vegetarian or vegan diet are at higher risk of deficiency unless they consume fortified foods or supplements.
- A mild vitamin B12 deficiency often causes no or very few symptoms and is often only identified during a routine blood test. In more severe cases, it can lead to anemia with fatigue, weakness and shortness of breath, as well as neurological symptoms such as tingling, memory issues or coordination problems, which may become irreversible. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, insufficient B12 levels may also affect the baby’s development. To ensure adequate intake, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has set age-specific recommendations [2].
- While food is generally the main source of vitamin B12, supplements may be necessary in certain population groups, particularly older adults and those with limited intake (individuals following a vegetarian or vegan diet) or absorption issues (e.g., due to medical conditions or medications).
- Unlike some other vitamins, excess intake of vitamin B12 from food or supplements is not associated with harmful effects in healthy individuals, as excess amounts are typically excreted in urine. However, ongoing monitoring is important, especially given the rising use of supplements.
How do we study it?
- Inadequate vitamin B12 intake from food and from food plus supplements was assessed by comparing habitual intakes in the population with the adequate intake (AI) levels [2] set by EFSA: between 1.5 and 2.5 µg/day for children, depending on age; 3.5 µg/day for adolescents aged 10–14 years; and 4 µg/day from 15 years onwards.
- Habitual intake of vitamin B12 was analysed using the SPADE® program. A detailed description on the methodology for deriving the habitual vitamin B12 intake, the type of the reference values used and the age-and-sex-specific values of these references can be found here [3].
- Due to statistical limitations, the results of vitamin B12 cannot be presented by educational level.
KEY RESULTS
Mean vitamin B12 intake in the population from food only is 4 µg/day in the total population, and increases to 14 µg/day when both food and supplements are taken into account
Overall, 18% of the population uses a vitamin B12-containing supplement
The available data do not allow us to confirm that vitamin B12 intake from food and from food and supplements is adequate. Therefore, inadequate vitamin B12 intake cannot be ruled out
Vitamin B12 intake from food and supplements ranges from 4 µg/day in children and adolescents to 17 µg/day in adults (18-64 years) and 18 µg/day in older adults (65 years and above)
Meat, meat products and substitutes (38%), dairy products and substitutes (26%) and fish and shellfish (10%) are the main contributors to vitamin B12 intake in the population
Proportion of the population consuming a vitamin B12-containing supplement
18% of the population in Belgium aged 3 years and older uses a vitamin B12-containing supplement.
By sex
Mean vitamin B12 intake (µg/day) in the population aged 3 years and older, by sex, Belgium: 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Mean vitamin B12 intake from food only is 4 µg/day in the total population, and increases to 14 µg/day when both food and supplements are taken into account.
- Men have a higher mean vitamin B12 intake from food (4 µg/day) compared to women (3 µg/day). However, when supplements are included, the total intake rises to 12 µg/day in men and 17 µg/day in women.
Inadequate vitamin B12 intake in the population aged 3 years and older, by sex, Belgium: 2022-2023
- The results do not allow us to confirm that vitamin B12 intake from food and from food and supplements is adequate. Therefore, inadequate vitamin B12 intake cannot be ruled out. The same applies to both men and women.
By age
Mean vitamin B12 intake (µg/day) in the population aged 3 years and older, by age, Belgium: 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Older adults (65 years and above) do not include those residing in care facilities, hospitalised individuals, or those who would have required significant assistance during interviews (e.g., people with cognitive impairments).
- Mean vitamin B12 intake from food only increases slightly with age from 3 µg/day in children (3-9 years) to 4 µg/day in adolescents (10-17 years), adults (18-64 years) and older adults (65 years and above).
- However, when considering vitamin B12 intake from supplements, a different pattern emerges. The intake values range from 4 µg/day in children and adolescents to 17 µg/day in adults (18-64 years) and 18 µg/day in older adults (65 years and above).
Inadequate vitamin B12 intake in the population aged 3 years and older, by age, Belgium: 2022-2023
- Vitamin B12 intake in children appears to be sufficient based on food intake alone, and is therefore also adequate when supplement use is taken into account.
- The results do not allow us to confirm that vitamin B12 intake—either from food alone or from food and supplements—is adequate in adolescents, adults (18–64 years), and older adults (65+). Therefore, inadequate vitamin B12 intake cannot be ruled out.
By region
Mean vitamin B12 intake (µg/day) in the population aged 3 years and older, by region, Belgium: 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Brussels is excluded from the regional comparison due to an insufficient number of participants, but is included in the national data for Belgium.
- The mean vitamin B12 intake from food is 4 µg/day in the Belgian population, with no notable regional differences (4 µg/day in both Flanders and Wallonia).
- When supplements are included, vitamin B12 intake remains comparable across regions, reaching 13 µg/day in Flanders and 15 µg/day in Wallonia.
Inadequate vitamin B12 intake in the population aged 3 years and older, by region, Belgium: 2022-2023
- The results do not allow us to confirm that vitamin B12 intake from food and from food and supplements is adequate. Therefore, inadequate intake at the regional or national level cannot be ruled out.
By year
Mean vitamin B12 intake (µg/day) in the population aged 3 to 64 years , by year, Belgium: 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Adults aged 65 years and older are not included as they were not part of the target population of the 2014-2015 survey.
- The mean vitamin B12 intake from food remained stable between 2014–2015 and 2022–2023, at 4 µg/day.
- However, the mean intake from food and supplements increased from 6 µg/day in 2014–2015 to 13 µg/day in 2022–2023.
Inadequate vitamin B12 intake in the population aged 3 to 64 years, by year, Belgium: 2022-2023
- In both 2014 and 2022, the results do not allow us to confirm that vitamin B12 intake from food and from food and supplements is adequate. Therefore, inadequate intake cannot be ruled out.
Contribution of foods and supplements
Contribution of foods and supplements to vitamin B12 intake, in the population aged 3 years and older, Belgium: 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Meat, meat products and substitutes (38%), dairy products and substitute (26%), and fish and shellfish (10%) are the main contributors to vitamin B12 intake in the Belgian population.
- Dietary supplements contribute 6% to total vitamin B12 intake
Please cite this page as: Sciensano. Micronutrients: Vitamin B12, Food Consumption Survey 2022-2023, June 2025, Brussels, Belgium, https://www.sciensano.be/en/results-national-food-consumption-survey-2022-2023/micronutrients-vitamins/vitamin-b12 [1]