FSSAI Issues Directions on Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)

FSSAI Issues Directions on Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)

The FSS Act, 2006 permits the use of vitamins or minerals or amino acids in functional foods, foods for special dietary uses, nutraceuticals and health supplements provided that the amounts do not exceed the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for Indians. The Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, Functional Food and Novel Food) Regulations, 2016 also permits special addition of nutrients in quantities not exceeding RDA as specified by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). In case, such standards are not specified, then the standards as laid down by international food standards body, namely Codex Alimentarius Commission shall apply.

FSSAI has received several representations from stakeholders as well as the regulatory staff seeking clarification on RDA values of different nutrients. In this connection, based on the recommendations made by the Scientific Panel and Scientific Committee, a collated document in respect of the RDA values for vitamins and minerals has been prepared and placed on FSSAI’s website on 27.02.2019. In addition, the Scientific Panel has also recommended RDA values for essential amino acids for the general population using references from ICMR, which was endorsed by the Scientific Committee. The same is enclosed at Annexure II (given below).

Further, it is to also clarified that the report submitted by UMR regarding ‘Tolerable Upper Limits (TUL) of vitamins/minerals’ which has been made available to the public on the FSSAI website on 05.09.2018 is ‘only for information‘ and NOT for use by the food business operators/regulatory purpose in the field of health supplements and nutraceuticals.

Annexure Part A

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for Water Soluble and Fat-soluble Vitamins for Indians – 2010Ref: ICMR Nutrient requirements and RDA for Indians - A report of the Expert Group of the ICMR, 2010

Summary of Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for Energy. Protein, Fat and Minerals for Indians -2010Ref: ICMR Nutrient requirements and RDA for Indians - A report of the Expert Group of the ICMR, 2010

Annexure Part B

Collated Information on RDA for nutrients not listed under Annexure Part A 

[*ICMR {Nutrient requirement and RDA for Indians – A report of the Expert group of the ICMR 2010) ** Codex CAG/GL 2 -1985- Guidelines on nutrition labelling (applied only for individuals older than 36 month)}; # Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine, national Academies; AI: Adequate intake]

Note 1: In case age wise RDAs are available, then RDA values for men and women (sedentary work) may be considered as standard reference or else the single value will be applicable across all age groups

Note 2:  The Food safety and Standards ((Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, Functional Food and Novel Food) Regulations 2016 shall not be applicable to infants up to age of 24 months. Hence, RDAs mentioned in this document for the age group 0 to 24 months will not be applicable for the said regulations.

Note 3: Conversion units (referred from report of Expert Committee of ICMR which specifies TUL of micronutrients for Indian population)

Vitamin A: 1µg = 3.33 IU

Vitamin D: 1µg = 40 IU

Vitamin B: 1µg = 1.5 IU alpha= tocopherol, or 1.1 IU dl-alpha-tocopherol

Folic Acid: 1µg = 1.7 DFE (Dietary Folate Equivalent)

Disclaimer: These RDAs are effective till revised RDA of ICMR is made available.

Annexure II

Source: FSSAI