European Food Safety Authority; Outcome of the Public consultation on the Draft Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition, and Allergies (NDA) on principles for deriving and applying Dietary Reference Values

On 11 April 2008, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) endorsed a draft Opinion on principles for deriving and applying Dietary Reference Values to be released for public consultation. This Scientific Report summarises the comments received through the public consultation and outlines how these were taken into account in the final opinion.

EFSA had received 38 contributions from 12 interested parties (individuals, non-governmental organisations, industry organisations, academia and national assessment bodies). After a meeting with national experts on Dietary Reference Values which was held in September 2009, 13 additional comments on the draft Opinion on principles for deriving and applying Dietary Reference Values were received from seven Member States.

The main comments which were received during the public consultation related to: the need for a better clarity and consistency in the use of terminology throughout the opinion, the definition and use of Dietary Reference Values, the definition and use of the Tolerable Upper Intake Levels, the age groups used, as well as other and editorial comments.

All the public comments received and comments from Member States that related to the remit of EFSA were assessed and the Opinion on principles for deriving and applying Dietary Reference Values has been revised taking relevant comments into consideration.