The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) opened a public consultation last week on the draft Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values (DRV) for energy. Basically, they are proposing new average energy requirements for adults, infants, children and pregnant and lactating women, taking into account the fact that a balanced diet should provide adequate amounts of energy and nutrients for health. The DRV set out the average intake of nutrients, adequate intake as well as lower threshold intake values. These values may then be used as reference in, e.g., food labelling. They also guide consumers in their choice what to eat. The last EU opinion comes from 1993 so it is indeed time to review it. (Dietary reference values and dietary guidelines)
