An overview of the RDAs for vitamins

The allowances for vitamins have undergone re-evaluation with emphasis being given to the information used to establish them. As noted, some allowances are still not as clearly delineated as desired. However, it is unlikely that future editions will make marked changes for any of the vitamins. In other words, we are in the right "ball park," not in the outfield but in the infield. Small fluctuations from edition to edition generally have little effect in the use for which RDAs were originally intended, namely, meal planning. However, small changes can have a significant impact for some of the broader applications for which they are now being used. This raises the question being heard more frequently, namely: Should we have different standards for these other applications, such as assessing nutritional adequacy or planning food assistance programs?