Dietary reference values for vitamins and minerals for pregnant women

The Health Council of the Netherlands has used the reference values set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in its evaluation of dietary reference values for pregnant women. EFSA’s requirement (additional requirement) for pregnant women can be adopted for the majority of vitamins and minerals. The dietary reference values that are relevant for pregnant women are those for vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D and K1, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, calcium, iron, iodine, potassium, copper, magnesium and zinc. These reference values have sufficient scientific underpinnings or there are indications that too low intakes of the vitamins or minerals may have health effects.

Dietary reference values indicate how much of various vitamins and minerals the body needs to function properly and to prevent disease. Dietary reference values are used e.g. in public information on nutrition, dietary advice given by dieticians and in monitoring the nutrient intake levels of the Dutch population at large.