When it comes to vitamin E nutrient reference values (NRVs), 9 mg per day is too low for the general population, CRN’s Jim Griffiths explained during a recent meeting of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) in Rome, Italy.

Dr. Griffiths cited research indicating that many populations fall short of this essential nutrient when they rely on food alone as well as findings about vitamin E’s significance during fetal development and throughout the first years of life, the correlation between adequate intake and dementia later in life, and the difficulty of evaluating vitamin E adequacy through blood level measurements alone. After almost declaring the issue set and final at Step 8, the CRN comments compelled the CAC chair to recommended this NRV revision be returned to Step 5, which sends this issue back to the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU) for further discussion.

In addition, CRN applauded the CAC’s adoption of five revised NRVs as follows: vitamin A, 800 mcg; magnesium, 301 mg; iron, 14–20 mg; copper, 900 mcg; and phosphorus, 700 mg.

For more information, contact Jim Griffiths (202-204-7662).

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