Summary
This EFSA Scientific Opinion from the NDA (Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens) Panel establishes dietary reference values for vitamin D for the European population, published in the EFSA Journal (2016, 14:e04547). The panel reviewed evidence on vitamin D intake and status, using serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D as the functional biomarker, and set adequate intakes for infants, children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. The opinion also addresses the role of sunlight exposure as a confounding factor in determining dietary requirements, and sets tolerable upper intake levels to inform safe supplementation guidance.
UK applicability
The findings are directly applicable to UK policy and practice, as the UK population faces comparable challenges with low sunlight exposure and widespread vitamin D insufficiency, particularly in winter months; UK bodies such as SACN have conducted parallel reviews that broadly align with EFSA's conclusions and inform UK-specific recommendations.
Key measures
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration (nmol/L); dietary intake of vitamin D (µg/day); adequate intake (AI) by age group; tolerable upper intake level (UL)
Outcomes reported
The panel established dietary reference values (DRVs) for vitamin D, including adequate intake levels for different population groups across the life course. It assessed the relationship between vitamin D intake, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations, and musculoskeletal health outcomes.
Topic tags
Dig deeper with Pulse AI.
Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.