# Recommended Daily Intakes



What Are Recommended Daily Intakes? [#what-are-recommended-daily-intakes]

Recommended Daily Intakes are scientifically established reference values representing required daily nutrient consumption to maintain health and prevent deficiency. These values serve as benchmarks for:

* **Nutrition Labeling**: Helping consumers understand how foods contribute to their daily nutritional needs
* **Public Health Guidance**: Informing dietary recommendations and national nutrition programs
* **Product Development**: Guiding food manufacturers in fortification and reformulation efforts
* **Clinical Practice**: Supporting healthcare professionals in patient counseling and meal planning
* **Consumer Education**: Enabling people to make informed dietary choices

<Mermaid
  chart="`
%%{init: {'theme':'base', 'themeVariables': {'lineColor':'#9ca3af'}}}%%
graph TD
  A[Recommended Daily Intakes] --> B[Nutrition Labeling<br/>% Daily Value]
  A --> C[Public Health<br/>Dietary Guidelines]
  A --> D[Clinical Practice<br/>Patient Counseling]
  A --> E[Product Development<br/>Fortification Standards]
`"
/>

Regulatory Framework [#regulatory-framework]

United States of America [#united-states-of-america]

**Regulatory Authority**: [Food and Drug Administration (FDA)](https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-facts-label/daily-value-nutrition-and-supplement-facts-labels)

**Key Features**:

* Distinguishes between RDI (micronutrients) and DRV (macronutrients) for labeling
* Based on 2,000 calorie reference diet for adults
* Updates implemented in 2020 reflecting current nutrition science

**Scientific Basis**: [National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Dietary Reference Intakes](https://ods.od.nih.gov/Health_Information/Dietary_Reference_Intakes.aspx)

For comprehensive US FDA daily value requirements, see [FDA Daily Values](/docs/guide/concepts/recommended-daily-intakes/fda-daily-values).

Related Concepts [#related-concepts]

* [Nutrient](/docs/guide/concepts/nutrient) - Understanding the different types of nutrients
* [FDA Daily Values](/docs/guide/concepts/recommended-daily-intakes/fda-daily-values) - US-specific RDI and DRV standards
* [Nutrition Fact](/docs/guide/concepts/nutrition-fact) - How nutrients appear on food labels
* [Serving Size](/docs/guide/concepts/serving-size) - Standardized quantities for nutrition labeling

Official Resources [#official-resources]

* [FDA - Daily Value on Nutrition Labels](https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-facts-label/daily-value-nutrition-and-supplement-facts-labels)
* [NIH Office of Dietary Supplements - Dietary Reference Intakes](https://ods.od.nih.gov/Health_Information/Dietary_Reference_Intakes.aspx)
* [21 CFR 101.9 - Nutrition Labeling of Food](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-101/subpart-A/section-101.9)