Reference Intake (RI) is a food labelling system in the European Union and the United Kingdom. It is a means of communicating recommended nutrient intake to the public. Reference Intakes replaced the term
Guideline Daily Amount
A Guideline Daily Amount (GDA) was a nutrition facts label originally designed in 1996 in the United Kingdom (UK) as a collaboration between the government, the food industry and consumer organisations. GDAs appeared on the front and back of food p ...
(GDA), although the principles behind both are the same. The major difference is that GDAs existed for men, women and children; there is only one set of RIs for an average adult.
These RIs are based on the requirements for an average woman with no special dietary requirements and assume an energy intake of 8400 kJ.
[ The information is for guidance only and should not be considered individual advice.][
The change from GDA to RI on labels on pre-packaged food and drinks sold in the UK is due to ]Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers is the main law relating to food information in the European Union. There are other EU laws that specify the rules for particular types of foods.
The principles govern ...
. The intention of the EU Regulation is to harmonise across Europe the content, expression and presentation of the nutrition information given to consumers.
Since RIs are for an average adult, concerns have been raised by major retailers and manufacturers that they may face criticism for misrepresenting the contribution to the diet of products targeted at children, particularly given concerns around children's diet and obesity levels.
RIs can be combined with traffic light labeling to make the information easily and rapidly understood.
See also
*
* List of food labeling regulations
The packaging and labeling of food is subject to regulation in most regions/jurisdictions, both to prevent false advertising and to promote food safety.
Regulations by type
Multi-faceted
* Codex Alimentarius (international voluntary standard) ...
* Nutrition facts label
The nutrition facts label (also known as the nutrition information panel, and other slight variations) is a label required on most packaged food in many countries, showing what nutrients and other ingredients (to limit and get enough of) are in ...
*
* Traffic light label
* United Kingdom food information regulations
References
External links
EU Register of nutrition and health claims made on foods
Food labelling
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