NRVs
What is an NRV?
NRV is an abbreviation for Nutrient Reference Value. NRV’s are EU guidance levels on the daily amount of a vitamin or mineral that an average, healthy person needs to prevent deficiency. These are set for certain vitamins and minerals and are used for the purposes of food labelling.
Food supplement labels list the ingredients included in the product and give the proportion of the NRV value (% NRV) that is contained within the supplement – for example: vitamin C, 80mg, 100% NRV. For larger quantities, such as g of carbohydrates, we would refer to the Reference Intake (RI); however, for smaller quantities, such as μg of vitamin D, we would use the NRV.
Why do we need NRVs?
Understanding NRVs for vitamins and minerals is important in understanding how nutrients will benefit you. It’s also helpful for planning your diet—especially if you are deficient in a specific vitamin or mineral.
How are NRVs set?
Huge nutritional surveys are conducted by governments and used to collect data to determine the nutrients levels needed in certain diets. NRVs vary between countries due to different societal and environmental factors. For example, the NRV of vitamin D in the UK is twice as high as in Australia as a result of more sun exposure in Australia.
Additionally, NRVs are set across populations and are therefore, averages. We’re all unique, and our dietary requirements are too. However, we do need limits in place as some vitamins and minerals can be toxic at high levels.
Below is a table of Recommended Intake Guidelines setting out the NRV for all thirteen vitamins and fourteen minerals for reference.
Vitamin | EU NRV |
Vitamin A | 800 µg / 2664 IU |
Vitamin D | 5 µg / 200 IU |
Vitamin E | 12 mg / 17.9 IU |
Vitamin K | 75 µg |
Vitamin C | 80mg |
Thiamin | 1.1 mg |
Riboflavin | 1.4 mg |
Niacin | 16 mg |
Vitamin B6 | 1.4 mg |
Folacin/Folic Acid | 200 µg |
Vitamin B12 | 2.5 µg |
Biotin | 50 µg |
Pantothenic Acid | 6 mg |
Mineral | EU NRV |
Potassium | 2000 mg |
Chloride | 800 mg |
Calcium | 800 mg |
Phosphorus | 700 mg |
Magnesium | 375mg |
Iron | 14 mg |
Zinc | 10 mg |
Copper | 1 mg |
Manganese | 2 mg |
Fluoride | 3.5 mg |
Selenium | 55 µg |
Chromium | 40 µg |
Molybdenum | 50 µg |
Iodine | 150 µg |
At Opalbond, we can help you overcome any challenges that could arise regarding vitamin and mineral %NRVs to include in NPDs. We also have a range of already formulated products for your own private label, allowing you to deliver new and innovative products efficiently and stress-free. Having helped many start-up and existing brands, we have developed a deep understanding of this process and can use this to help with your NPD.
If you’re looking to extend your product range to include the latest in vitamin and mineral supplement innovation, please get in touch at enquiries@opalbond.co.uk.