EFSA has launched a public consultation on draft dietary values (DRVs) for sodium and chloride, the final two nutrients in its review of scientific advice on nutrient intakes for the EU population.
EFSA’s Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens provisionally considers for the general adult population (including pregnant and lactating women):
- An intake of 2g sodium per day to be safe and adequate, considering evidence on the risk of cardiovascular disease on the one hand and nutrition adequacy on the other
- An intake of 3.1g chloride per day to be safe and adequate, taking account that the main source of chloride in EU diets in sodium chloride
The panel also proposes age-specific values of both nutrients for children, adjusting the differences in energy requirement and including growth factors. Adequate intakes for infants above 6 months of age were derived from the intakes of breastfed infants below 6 months of age.
The closing date for submission of comments is 22 May 2019.