Continued from page 1
The missing number in DV equation is Reference Daily Intake (RDI) level. The RDI for protein is, generally, 50 grams per day. Consumers can take number of total grams of protein in a product, and divide it by this RDI for protein to determine what “optimum” DV number should be.
For example, if a product offers 25 grams of protein, and RDI is 50 grams per day, then product’s “optimum” DV will be 50%. Therefore, figure “50%” should appear on product’s labeling. If number is lower than 50%, consumers instantly know that it is not an optimum source of protein.
Finding high quality sources for essential micronutrients like protein (among others) is a challenge that should not be difficult, but it is, because some food makers do not want to educate consumers on how to detect high quality from low quality. This is particularly unfortunate in health and nutrition food industry, where one would expect manufacturers strive for high quality nutrition. Regrettably, this is not always case.
However, that is not reason to despair. Rather, it just as much reason to support companies that are making effort to ensure that their products reflect only high quality DV levels, and a concurrent effort to educate public on how to determine optimum DV.
About Protica
Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm with offices in Lafayette Hill and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Protica manufactures capsulized foods, including Profect, a compact, hypoallergenic, ready-to-drink protein beverage containing zero carbohydrates and zero fat. Information on Protica is available at www.protica.com
You can also learn about Profect at www.profect.com
[1] The FDA is clear that DV concept is not intended to direct people on how much they should eat. In this example, eater should not conclude that eating 10 cans of beans will achieve “100% of recommended fat intake per day”. The DV is intended as a reference number only and not as a recommendation. The intake per day is suggested by RDA/RDI, which will be discussed further in this article.
[2] Kwashiorkor is more prevalent in some parts of developing world, but incidences have been reported in US.
References
[i] Source: “Food Pyramid History”. http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Fall02/Greene/history.htm
[ii] Source: America’s Eating Habits: Changes and Consequences. USDA. http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/aib750/
[iii] Source “Daily Values Encourage Healthy Eating”. FDA. http://www.fda.gov/fdac/special/foodlabel/dvs.html
[iv] Source: “The Importance of Protein”. OhioHealth. http://www.ohiohealth.com/facilities/mcconnell/weightmanage/details/protein.htm
Copyright 2004 - Protica Research - http://www.protica.com
About Protica
Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm with offices in Lafayette Hill and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Protica manufactures capsulized foods, including Profect, a compact, hypoallergenic, ready-to-drink protein beverage containing zero carbohydrates and zero fat. You can learn more about Protica at www.protica.com -- Information on Profect is available at www.profect.com
Copyright 2004 - Protica Research