Codex Adopts NRVs With IADSA Support

ROMEThe Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) adopted nutrient reference values (NRVs) supported by the International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Associations (IADSA) for 11 nutrients, which will be included in Codex's guidelines for nutrition labeling.

At its meeting in Rome from July 1 to 5, the CAC adopted values for labeling purposes for vitamins K (60 mcg), B6 (1.3 mg) and B12 (2.4 mcg), biotin (30 mcg), folate (400 mcg), niacin (15 mg), pantothenate (5 mg), riboflavin (1.2 mg), thiamin (1.2 mg), and the minerals calcium (1000 mg) and iodine (150 mcg).

The Codex guidelines on nutrition labeling require food products bearing nutrition claims to state their nutrient content on labels.

We are pleased that the CAC has adopted these NRVs because they reflect the latest research on nutritional requirements," said David Pineda Ereño, IADSA director of regulatory affairs. These are important because the NRVs agreed by Codex will be implemented by governments worldwide and will have an impact on the labeling of most nutrition claims. IADSA has provided and will continue to provide scientific and technical assistance to Codex on this matter as needed."

NRVs are still in the works for 15 more nutrients, and these will be discussed at the next meeting of the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Specific Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU) in November 2013.

Codex also recently approved ISDSA recommendations to evaluate magnesium stearate.