Public consultation of the Scientific Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies on the draft opinions regarding Dietary Reference Values (formerly Population Reference Intakes)
Two draft opinions are involved in this consultation:
- Principles for establishing Dietary Reference Values
- Dietary Reference Values for Water
The scientific advice on nutrient intakes is important as the basis of Community action in the field of nutrition; for example such advice has in the past been used as the basis of nutrition labelling. The Scientific Committee for Food (SCF) report on nutrient and energy intakes for the European Community dates from 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 the EFSA has been requested to consider the existing population reference intakes for nutrients and certain other dietary components. Until 2009 EFSA will review and complete the SCF recommended intakes for energy and macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats and protein) in the light of new evidence, and in addition will provide advice on dietary reference values for water and dietary fibre. After mid 2009 EFSA will work on Dietary Reference Values for micronutrients.
To ensure a consistent approach the Panel has elaborated a draft on the principles for establishing Dietary Reference Values.
In line with EFSA’s policy on openness and transparency and in order for EFSA to receive comments from the scientific community and 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 finalization.
EFSA is happy to release now the following draft scientific Opinions for public consultation and would appreciate to receive relevant comments.
Comments should refer to the line numbering. If interested parties wish to contribute 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 the EFSA’s Scientific Panel on Dietetic products, Nutrition and Allergies 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.