Reference from the joint report of FAO/WHO expert consulation on Human Vitamins and Minerals verbatim. (Chapter 1)
Dr Nath reminded the participants that they had been invited to the Consultation as independent experts and that their participation in the Consultation was to be in their individual capacity and not as a representative of any organization, affiliation, or government. He underscored the importance of drawing conclusions and making recommendations based on science, which is traceable to studies conducted largely in humans.
This is necessary for correct food labelling and relevant health claims and for the better use of foods in the dietary management and prevention of non-communicable diseases. These issues have economic implications for agricultural production, the food industry, and public health policy.
Dr Sultana Khanum, Regional Adviser/Nutrition, SEARO (South-East Asia Regional Office), WHO, added her welcome on behalf of the Director-General of WHO, Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, and the Regional Director for South-East Asia Region, Dr Uton Muchtar Raffle. Dr Khanum noted that the choice of South-East Asia as the site of the Expert Consultation was significant because some of the most tangible successes and achievements have occurred within this geographical region in the realm of identifying, preventing, reducing, and eliminating many forms of malnutrition.
Dr Khanum noted that the FAO and WHO have a long history of collaboration at the country, regional, and global levels towards combating food and nutritional problems. She underlined the importance of using science as the basis of the standard setting process, which took place during the consultation.
Dr Graeme Clugston, Director, WHO Nutrition Programmes, added his welcome to the participants on behalf of the Director-General of WHO. Dr Clugston pointed out that the formulation and implementation of science-based dietary guidelines have become a central issue for the nutritional sciences as well as a major challenge for governments world wide, especially since the International Conference on Nutrition held in Rome, December 1992.
Dr Clugston expressed confidence that this Expert Consultation would lead to scientifically sound up-to-date recommendations for vitamin and mineral requirements in human nutrition. FAO and WHO would then ensure that these recommendations would be passed on to all Member States world wide, providing them with the best possible guidance for developing their own appropriate dietary guidelines for health promotion, good nutrition, and disease prevention.
The Consultation elected Dr Donald McCormick as chairperson and Professor Chen Chunming as vice-chair. Dr Glenville Jones and Dr Colin Mills were appointed jointly as rapporteurs. Dr McCormick in his response indicated the importance of this Consultation and outlined the scope of the issues that would be discussed and on which the two agencies, FAO and WHO, were seeking expert guidance from the Consultation.
Recommended nutrient intakes
Appendix 1 at the end of the report provides two composite tables summarising the recommended nutrient intakes (RNIs) for each of the vitamins and minerals. For the purposes of preparing these tables the recommendations made by the experts were adjusted so that the tables could be based on common body weights and age groups. Details are provided in the footnote at the bottom of the tables.
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