Since 1997, the Institute of Medicine has issued a series of nutrient reference values that are collectively termed Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs). The DRIs offer quantitative estimates of nutrient intakes to be used for planning and assessing diets. Using the information from these reports, this newest volume in the DRI series focuses on how the DRIs, and the science for each nutrient in the DRI reports, can be used to develop current and appropriate reference values for nutrition labeling and food fortification.

Focusing its analysis on the existing DRIs, the book examines the purpose of nutrition labeling, current labeling practices in the United States and Canada, food fortification practices and policies, and offers recommendations as a series of guiding principles to assist the regulatory agencies that oversee food labeling and fortification in the United States and Canada. The overarching goal of the information in this book is to provide updated nutrition labeling that consumers can use to compare products and make informed food choices. Diet-related chronic diseases are a leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States and Canada and helping customers make healthy food choices has never been more important.