EFSA proposes adequate intake levels for fluoride and molybdenum
EFSA’s nutrition The science of how diet relates to the body's need for sustenance. experts have continued their work on Dietary Reference Values (DRVs) by publishing their first pieces of advice on micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). The two scientific opinions on the minerals fluoride and molybdenum follow previous advice on DRVs for energy, macronutrients – protein A type of molecule composed of complex strings of amino acids (protein building blocks)., fats and carbohydrates A family of nutritional substances that includes sugars, starches and fibres. –dietary fibre, and water. EFSA will publish a series of further opinions on DRVs for micronutrients, including vitamin Dietary substance needed in very small amounts to support normal growth and maintenance of health in humans and animals. Most vitamins are 'essential' as they are not made within the body. C, folate, iron, zinc, calcium, and iodine.
- Fluoride performs no essential function in human growth and development and no signs of fluoride deficiency A lack of a necessary factor in, for example, the diet or the environment which results in harm to the growth of an organism. have been identified. Although fluoride is not essential for tooth development, its role in the prevention of dental caries has been known for many years. Epidemiological studies have shown an inverse correlation A statistical term to describe the relationship between two variables (e.g. calcium intake and bone growth). between the presence of fluoride in drinking water and the prevalence The proportion of a population found to have a condition. of dental caries in children. The NDA Panel proposes an adequate intake A dietary recommendation used when there isn't enough data to calculate an average requirement. An adequate intake is the average nutrient level consumed daily by a typical healthy population that is assumed to be adequate for the population's needs. ( AI The adequate intake (AI) is a dietary recommendation used when there isn't enough data to calculate an Average Requirement. An AI is the average nutrient level consumed daily by a typical healthy population which is assumed to be adequate for the population's needs.) of 0.05mg/kg body weight per day for children aged 7 months to 17 years as well as adults, including pregnant and lactating women. The AI covers fluoride intake The amount of a substance (e.g. nutrient or chemical) that is ingested by a person or animal via the diet. from all sources, including non-dietary sources such as toothpaste and other dental hygiene products. The major dietary sources are water and beverages or foods reconstituted with fluoridated water; tea; marine fish; and fluoridated salt.
- Molybdenum is an essential component of some enzymes, and is found in foods such as pulses, cereal grains and grain products, offal (liver, kidney) and nuts. It is present in small amounts in the body but is involved in some important biological processes. Molybdenum deficiency in healthy humans has not been observed. The NDA Panel proposes an AI of 65 micrograms per day for adults including pregnant and lactating women and AIs ranging from 10 to 65 micrograms per day for infants, children and adolescents.
The two opinions were finalised by the NDA Panel after public consultation, ensuring that EFSA benefits from the widest range of information, data and views from the scientific community, stakeholders and other interested parties.
DRVs comprise a set of reference values such as average requirements, population Community of humans, animals or plants from the same species. reference intakes, adequate intakes, lower threshold A dose or exposure below which adverse effects are not detected. intakes and tolerable upper intake levels. The European Commission asked EFSA to update previous European advice in this area, taking into account new scientific evidence and recent recommendations issued at national and international level.
Scientific advice on DRVs is an important basis for the policy decisions of the European Union in the field of nutrition. They can be used to establish reference values for nutrition labelling, for the assessment and planning of diets and for developing food-based dietary guidelines Science-based recommendations for healthy eating which translate numerical nutrition targets into lay advice on what foods to eat. (FBDG). FBDG translate DRVs and nutritional recommendations into messages about food and diet which can help consumers to make healthy dietary choices.
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