Within the EU “Recommended Daily Allowances” (RDAs) are established for specific vitamins and minerals. The table below refers to general foodstuffs, different rules apply to Foods for Particular Nutritional Uses such as infant formulas or energy restricted diets.
To make a nutritional claim on any nutrient a “significant” amount should be supplied. As a rule a significant amount is defined as at least 15% RDA per 100g, 100ml or per package if the package only contains a single serving.
It is interesting to note that the RDA’s are currently in a state of evolution. The RDA’s mentioned in 90/496/EC have now been superseded by those defined in Directive 2008/100/EC. It is our recommendation that for new product developments RDA’s referenced in 2008/100/EC are used since trade in products with RDA’s referencing 90/496/EC will be prohibited after 31st October 2012.
1.“Old” RDA to 90/496/EEC
2.“New” RDA to Directive 2008/100/EC implementable in individual EU member states by 31st October 2009. Trade in products which do not meet this directive will be prohibited after 31st October 2012.