Approach of the US Food and Nutrition Board to daily nutrient requirements: ‘A useful basis for the European discussion on risk assessment of nutrients?’ Report on a Workshop organized by the European Academy of Nutritional Sciences (EANS) and TNO Food and Nutrition Research Institute, 11 December 1998, Brussels

Abstract

Objective: To discuss the approach of the US Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) to daily nutrient requirements and its relevance for Europe.

Setting: A workshop for experts from academia and regulatory bodies, together with members from the FNB Dietary Reference Intakes Subcommittee on Upper Reference Levels of Intake, and from the B-vitamins Expert panel. The workshop was organised by the European Academy of Nutritional Sciences and TNO Nutrition and Food Research Institute (The Netherlands).

Conclusions: Classical approaches to recommended dietary allowances (RDA) are no longer satisfactory, because they do not take into account newly emerging science with regard to intakes beyond the RDA. There is an urgent need for global harmonisation of criteria used for assessing adequacy of intake and for harmonisation of terminology. For sound advice to consumers, the development of tolerable upper intake levels is necessary. The discussion of principal issues relating to criteria for nutrient adequacy should be pursued on an international level.

Sponsorship: Roche Vitamins Europe Ltd, Birsfelden, Switzerland