Public consultation of the Scientific Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies on the draft Opinions regarding Dietary Reference Values (formerly Population Reference Intakes)
EFSA’s Panel on Dietetic products, nutrition and allergies (NDA) has launched two public consultations on the following draft scientific opinions:
1. Dietary Reference Values (DRVs) for fat;
2. Dietary Reference Values for carbohydrates and dietary fibre.
Scientific advice on nutrient intakes is an important basis for Community action in the field of nutrition. For example, such advice has in the past been used to define reference values for nutrition labelling.
The Scientific Committee for Food (SCF) report on nutrient and energy intakes for the European Community was published in 1993. The European Commission has asked EFSA to review and, if necessary, update such advice to ensure that the Community action in the area of nutrition is underpinned by the latest scientific advice. To this end EFSA has been requested to consider the existing population reference intakes for nutrients and certain other dietary components. To ensure a consistent approach NDA Panel has also elaborated a draft on the principles for establishing DRVs.
In line with EFSA’s policy on openness and transparency and in order for EFSA to receive comments from the scientific community and other stakeholders on its work, EFSA engages in public consultations on key issues. Therefore, all draft opinions on dietary reference values will be subject to public consultation before their finalisation. In addition EFSA is holding a meeting with experts from Member States in September 2009 to discuss the draft opinions.
The current status of the various documents is outlined below.
| Opinions | Status of the public consultation |
|---|---|
General principles for setting DRVs | August 2008 – December 2008; |
DRVs for water | August 2008 – December 2008; |
Guidance for food-based dietary guidelines | August 2008 – December 2008; |
DRVs for carbohydrates and dietary fibre | August 2009 – October 2009; |
DRVs for fats | August 2009 – October 2009; |
DRVs for proteins | End of 2009 |
DRVs for energy | End of 2009 |
DRVs for micronutrients | Starting in 2010 |
Interested parties are invited to submit written comments using the online form available on this page by 15 October 2009. Please note that comments submitted by e-mail or by post cannot be taken into account.
Comments should refer to the line numbering. If interested parties wish to contribute with studies or data to support a particular comment, these should be published or accepted for publication in scientific reports or journals and clear reference to where the supporting information is found should be made.
It should be noted that a submission will not under any circumstances be considered if:
- it is submitted after the deadline set out in the call;
- it is presented in any other form than the instructions and template provide for;
- it contains comments which do not relate to the contents of the document;
- it contains information on individual cases;
- it contains complaints against institutions, personal accusations, irrelevant or offensive statements or material;
- it is related to policy or risk management aspects, which is out of the scope of EFSA's activity.
EFSA will assess all relevant comments from interested parties which are submitted in line with the above criteria. The comments will be evaluated by EFSA’s NDA Panel and taken into consideration where these will enhance the scientific quality or understanding of the document. Following this procedure EFSA will publish the relevant comments received, as well as a short report on the outcome of the consultation.