Information chart on daily intake levels
(Please note these levels are constantly being reviewed as new scientific data emerges)
|
Vitamin/Mineral |
EU Labelling RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) to prevent deficiency
(90/496/EEC)* |
Average intake of nutrients from a normal diet in men & women
(DEFRA 2007)** |
UK daily Safe Upper Levels (SUL) & Guidance Levels (GL)
(EVM 2003)*** |
Vitamin A (Retinol equivalent) µg |
800 |
909 |
1500 (GL) |
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) mg |
1.4 |
1.82 |
100 (GL) |
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) mg |
1.6 |
1.99 |
40 (GL) |
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) mg |
2 |
2.6 |
10 (SUL) |
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) µg |
1 |
6.6 |
2000 (GL) |
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) mg |
60 |
78 |
1000 |
Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol) µg |
5 |
3.25 |
25 (GL) |
Vitamin E (Tocopherol) mg |
10 |
12.71 |
540 (SUL) |
Niacin mg |
18 |
36.2 |
500 (GL) – Not applicable during pregnancy |
Biotin µg |
150 |
Not Available |
900 (GL) |
Folate (Folic Acid) µg |
200 |
312 |
1000 (GL) |
Pantothenic Acid mg |
6 |
Not Available |
200 (GL) |
Calcium mg |
800 |
1002 |
1500 (GL) |
Iodine µg |
150 |
Not Available |
500 (GL) |
Iron mg |
14 |
12.7 |
17 (GL) |
Magnesium mg |
300 |
297 |
400 (GL) |
Phosphorus mg |
800 |
Not Available |
250 (GL) |
Zinc mg |
15 |
9.7 |
25 (USL) |
Vitamin K |
No RDA |
Not Available |
1000 (GL) |
Beta-carotene (Pro Vitamin A) mg |
No RDA |
2.3 |
7 (SUL) – Not applicable to smokers |
Chromium (Trivalent) µg |
No RDA |
Not Available |
10 (GL) |
Copper mg |
No RDA |
Not Available |
10 (USL) |
Manganese mg |
No RDA |
Not Available |
4 (GL) |
Molybdenum µg |
No RDA |
Not Available |
0 (GL) |
Selenium µg |
No RDA |
Not Available |
350 (USL) |
Herbals and Oils do not have RDAs, Safe Upper Levels or Guidance Levels. HSIS produces limited fact sheets on the following: Evening Primrose Oil, Starflower Oil (Borage Oil), Cod Liver Oil, Fish Oils, St John’s Wort, Cranberry, Echinacea, Garlic, Gingko Biloba, Ginseng, Glucosamine, Royal Jelly, Saw Palmetto. |
Safe Upper Levels
The Safe Upper Level for daily supplementation defines intakes of nutrients from supplements that could be consumed on a long-term basis. The Safe Upper Levels are made on the assumption that a typical European diet is consumed.
The Upper Safe Level for supplementation is an indication to consumers of levels of consumption that it would be unwise to exceed; it is not a definition of levels that could be advocated to promote general health.
Guidance Levels
Guidance Levels are determined when there is insufficient evidence to establish an upper safe level or when no adverse effect has been identified.
* EC Directive on Nutritional Labelling of Foodstuffs (90/496/EC)
** DEFRA. UK Purchases and expenditure on food and drink and derived energy and nutrient intakes in 2005-06. National Statistics, January 2007.
*** Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals. Safe Upper Levels for Vitamins and Minerals. May 2003 |
