Reference Daily Intake

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Reference Daily Intake (RDI) is the daily dietary intake level of a nutrient considered sufficient to meet the requirements of nearly all (97-98%) healthy individuals in each life-stage and gender group. The RDI is used to determine the Recomended Daily Value (RDV) which is printed on food labels in the U.S. and Canada. RDI was formerly called Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). RDI is based on the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI).

They are intended to serve as nutrition guidance to the general public and health professionals. Uses:

food labels
composition of diets for schools, prisons, hospitals or nursing homes
industry developing new food stuffs
healthcare policy makers and public health officials

Food Labeling Reference Tables

Total Fat                  grams (g)        65 
Saturated fatty acids   grams (g)        20 
Cholesterol                milligrams (mg)  300
Sodium                     milligrams (mg)  2400 
Potassium                  milligrams (mg)  3500 
Total carbohydrate         grams (g)        300 
Fiber                   grams (g)        25
Protein                    grams (g)        50

(Based on a 2000 Calorie Intake; for Adults and Children 4 or More Years of Age)

History

The RDA was developed during World War II by Lydia J. Roberts, Hazel K. Stiebeling and Helen S. Mitchell under the auspices of the National Research Council. The National Research Council determined that a set of dietary standards were needed, especially given the possibility that rations would be needed during the war. The standards would be used for nutrition recommendations for the armed forces, for civilians, and for overseas population who might need food relief. Roberts, Stiebeling, and Mitchell surveyed all available data, created a tentative set of allowances, and submitted them to experts for review. The final set of allowances were accepted in 1941. The allowances were meant to provide superior nutrition for civilians and military personnel, so they included a "margin of safety."

The RDA was established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the (US) National Academy of Sciences.

In 1997 at the suggestion of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy RDA became one part of a broader set of dietary guidelines called the Dietary Reference Intake used by both the United States and Canada.

External links

[USDA RDA chart] (PDF file)
[USDA Reference Daily Intakes]
[Article comparing recommended amounts of vitamins and minerals in different countries] from the European Union (PDF file)
[Differences in RDA set by medical authorities] in the UK, the European Union and the USA.
[Contributions of Women Scientists in the U.S. to the Development of Recommended Dietary Allowances by Alfred E. Harper] Journal of Nutrition 133 (2003): 3968-3072.
[RDA Browser] Includes database of nutrient information.

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