Dietary Reference Values

All information is correct to the best of our knowledge and Nutraceuticals Group Europe takes no responsibility for any errors or mistakes.

Links to other sources and reference material are included for accuracy. Any errors or omissions? Please let us know through our contact form.

European Vitamin, Mineral and Proximate Dietary Reference Values (DRV, NRV, RDA)

Dietary reference values (DRVs) is an umbrella term for a set of nutrient reference values (NRVs) that includes the average requirement (AR), the population reference intake (PRI), the adequate intake (AI) and the reference intake range for macronutrients (RI). These values guide professionals on the amount of a nutrient needed to maintain health in an otherwise healthy individual or group of people. DRVs also include the tolerable upper intake level (UL), which is the maximum amount of a nutrient that can be consumed safely over a long period of time.

RDA’s (Recommended Daily Allowance) were an old system and have now changed to NRV’s. The values for RDA and NRV are exactly the same.

Please contact our friendly and knowledgeable technical sales colleagues to help guide you to the best ingredients to allow you to achieve these recommended levels on your products.

Daily Reference Intakes for Vitamins and Minerals (Adults)

Vitamins

Nutrient	EU NRV	Units (mg or mcg)	IU	EU NRV	Standardised Units (mg)	Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) mg
Vitamin A Retinol	800	mcg	2664iu	0.8	mg	3
Vitamin D Calciferol	5	mcg	200iu	0.005	mg	0.1
Vitamin E Tocopherol	12	mg	17.9iu	12	mg	300
Vitamin K1 Phylloquinone	75	mcg		0.075	mg	n/a
Vitamin K2 Menaquinone	75	mcg		0.075	mg	n/a
Vitamin B1 Thiamin	1.1	mg		1.1	mg	n/a
Vitamin B2 Riboflavin	1.4	mg		1.4	mg	n/a
Vitamin B3 Niacin	16	mg		16	mg	35
Vitamin B5 Pantothenic Acid	6	mg		6	mg	n/a
Vitamin B6 Pyridoxine	1.4	mg		1.4	mg	25
Vitamin B7 Biotin	50	mcg		0.05	mg	n/a
Vitamin B9 Folic Acid	200	mcg		0.2	mg	1
Vitamin B12 Cobalamin	2.5	mcg		0.0025	mg	n/a
Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid	80	mg		80	mg	2000

Minerals

Nutrient	EU NRV	Units (mg or mcg)	EU NRV	Standardised Units (mg)	Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) mg
Calcium	800	mg	800	mg	2500
Chloride	800	mg	800	mg	n/a
Chromium	40	mcg	0.04	mg	0.2
Copper	5	mg	1	mg	5
Fluoride	3.5	mg	3.5	mg	7
Iodine	150	mcg	0.15	mg	0.6
Iron	14	mg	14	mg	45
Magnesium	375	mg	375	mg	450
Manganese	2	mg	2	mg	11
Molybdenum	50	mcg	0.05	mg	0.6
Phosphorus	700	mg	700	mg	4000
Potassium	2000	mg	2000	mg	n/a
Selenium	55	mcg	0.055	mg	0.3
Zinc	10	mg	10	mg	40

Daily Reference Intakes for Energy and selected nutrients other than Vitamins and Minerals (Adults)

Energy or Nutrient	Reference Intake
Energy	2000 kcal
Energy	8400 kJ
Total fat	70 g
Saturates	20 g
Carbohydrate	260 g
Sugars	90 g
Protein	50 g
Salt	6 g

Conversion factors for the calculation of Energy

Nutrient	Energy per g
Carbohydrate (except polyols)	17 kJ / 4 kcal
Polyols	10 kJ / 2.4 kcal
Protein	17 kJ / 4 kcal
Fat	37 kJ / 9 kcal
Salatrims	25 kJ / 6 kcal
Alcohol (Ethanol)	29 kJ / 7 kcal
Organic acid	13 kJ / 3 kcal
Fibre	8 kJ / 2 kcal
Erythritol	0 kJ / 0 kcal

Navigating Nutrient Needs: A Guide to Vitamin and Mineral Safety in Pregnancy in Europe

Ensuring adequate nutrition is paramount during pregnancy for the health of both mother and child. While meeting dietary requirements is crucial, it is equally important to be aware of the upper safe limits of vitamins and minerals to avoid potential harm. In Europe, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) provides guidance on these limits.

Below is a comprehensive table detailing the EU Nutrient Reference Values (NRV) for the general adult population, alongside the Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL) established by EFSA that are applicable to expectant mothers. It is important to note that the NRV is the daily amount considered sufficient to meet the needs of an average healthy person, while the UL is the maximum daily intake unlikely to pose a risk of adverse health effects.

Key Recommendations for Pregnancy:

Folic Acid: Supplementation is crucial. It is recommended to take 400 μg of folic acid daily before conception and until the 12th week of pregnancy to reduce the risk of neural tube defects. In some cases, a higher dose may be prescribed.
Vitamin D: A daily supplement of 10 μg is recommended throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding, as it is difficult to obtain sufficient amounts from diet and sunlight alone.
Vitamin A (Retinol): High doses of Vitamin A can be teratogenic (cause birth defects). Therefore, pregnant individuals should avoid supplements containing high levels of vitamin A and limit consumption of liver and liver products. The UL for preformed Vitamin A (retinol) should be carefully observed.
Iron: While essential, the need for iron increases significantly during pregnancy and postnatally. However, any high-dose supplementation should only be taken under medical supervision, as excessive iron can cause gastrointestinal issues.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the values:

Vitamin/Mineral	EU Nutrient Reference Value (NRV)	Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) in Pregnancy (per day)	Comments
Fat-Soluble Vitamins
Vitamin A	800 µg	3,000 µg	Applies to preformed Vitamin A (retinol). High intake can be harmful to the developing fetus. Expectant mothers should avoid liver products.
Vitamin D	5 µg	100 µg	A daily supplement of 10 µg is recommended for all expectant mothers in Europe.
Vitamin E	12 mg	300 mg	The UL applies to all stereoisomeric forms of alpha-tocopherol.
Vitamin K	75 µg	No UL Established	Insufficient data to establish a UL.
Water-Soluble Vitamins
Vitamin C	80 mg	No UL Established	Insufficient data to establish a UL, but very high doses may cause gastrointestinal upset.
Thiamin (B1)	1.1 mg	No UL Established	No adverse effects from high intakes from food or supplements have been reported.
Riboflavin (B2)	1.4 mg	No UL Established	No adverse effects from high intakes from food or supplements have been reported.
Niacin	16 mg	10 mg (Nicotinic Acid), 900 mg (Nicotinamide)	The UL for nicotinic acid is to prevent flushing. The UL for nicotinamide is much higher.
Vitamin B6	1.4 mg	12 mg	The UL was revised downwards by EFSA due to the risk of peripheral neuropathy with excessive intake.
Folate (Folic Acid)	200 µg	1,000 µg	This UL applies to folic acid from fortified foods and supplements. A supplement of 400 µg is recommended before and during early pregnancy.
Vitamin B12	2.5 µg	No UL Established	No adverse effects from high intakes from food or supplements have been reported.
Biotin	50 µg	No UL Established	Insufficient data to establish a UL.
Pantothenic Acid	6 mg	No UL Established	Insufficient data to establish a UL.
Minerals
Calcium	800 mg	2,500 mg
Phosphorus	700 mg	No UL Established	Insufficient data to establish a UL.
Magnesium	375 mg	250 mg	This UL applies only to magnesium from supplements and fortified foods, not from diet.
Iron	14 mg	40 mg (Safe Level of Intake)	EFSA established a 'safe level of intake' rather than a UL due to a lack of data on adverse effects other than black stools.
Zinc	10 mg	25 mg
Copper	1 mg	5 mg
Manganese	2 mg	8 mg (Safe Level of Intake)	EFSA has proposed a safe level of intake.
Selenium	55 µg	255 µg	The UL was recently lowered by EFSA.
Chromium	40 µg	No UL Established	Insufficient data to establish a UL for Chromium (III).
Molybdenum	50 µg	600 µg
Iodine	150 µg	600 µg	Adequate intake is crucial for fetal brain development.
Fluoride	3.5 mg	7 mg

Important Considerations:

This table is for informational purposes and should not replace advice from a healthcare professional.
Pregnant individuals should always consult with their doctor or a registered dietitian before taking any supplements to ensure they are meeting their individual needs without exceeding safe limits.
The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) includes intake from all sources: food, fortified foods, and supplements.

For some nutrients, a UL has not been established due to a lack of sufficient scientific data. This does not mean that high intakes are without risk.

Links

https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/dietary-reference-values-and-dietary-guidelines

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32008L0100&from=EN

Bedroom to Birth: Ingredients for Sexual Health, Reproduction and Beyond

back to tools

Connect with our sales team

Connect with one of the world’s leading nutraceutical specialists. Speak directly with our NPD and supply chain experts to source ingredients or formulate bespoke custom blends.