. "5 Guiding Principles for Selecting Reference Values for Nutrition Labeling." Dietary Reference Intakes: Guiding Principles for Nutrition Labeling and Fortification. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 2003.
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Dietary Reference Intakes: Guiding Principles for Nutrition Labeling and Fortification
TABLE 5-3 Proposed Units of Quantity for Nutrients
Nutrient
Current Unit
Proposed Unit
Comment
Change needed
Vitamin A
IU
μg RAE
DRI unit is RAE; carotenes will provide the sole source of vitamin A for vegans (show RAE in footnote)
Vitamin D
IU
μg
DRI unit is μg
Vitamin E
IU
mg
DRI unit is mg; the amount shown should be α-tocopherol
Folate
mg
μg DFE
Because fortified foods contain folic acid, this form should be converted to food folate using DFE calculation (show DFE in footnote)
Choline
mg
AI unit is mg, but UL unit is g
Copper
mg
μg
DRI unit is μg
No change needed
Vitamin K
mg
Thiamin
mg
Riboflavin
mg
Niacin
mg
Although NE is the DRI unit, the label should only refer to preformed niacin
Vitamin B6
mg
Vitamin B12
mg
Biotin
mg
Pantothenic acid
mg
Shorten name to pantothenate
Vitamin C
mg
Calcium
mg
Magnesium
mg
Phosphorus
mg
Fluoride
mg
Chromium
mg
Iodine
mg
Iron
mg
Manganese
mg
Molybdenum
mg
Zinc
mg
Potential change unknown
Sodium
mg
Units may change pending release of the DRI report on electrolytes
Potassium
mg
Units may change pending release of the DRI report on electrolytes
Chloride
mg
Units may change pending release of the DRI report on electrolytes
NOTE: IU = international units, RAE = retinol activity equivalents, DRI = Dietary Reference Intake, DFE = dietary folate equivalents, AI = Adequate Intake, UL = Tolerable Upper Intake Level, NE = niacin equivalents.
