Development of DRIs 1994-2004

In what ways can the process for developing Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) be enhanced? The workshop entitled "The Development of DRIs 1994-2004: Lessons Learned and New Challenges" offered a valuable window into the issues and challenges inherent in the development of nutrient reference values. The dialogue—carried out under the auspices of the Institute of Medicine (IOM), Food and Nutrition Board (hereafter referred to jointly as the IOM)—was enriched by the 10 years of experience in deriving the expanded set of values known as the DRIs, plus the decades of experience that grounded the earlier Recommended Dietary Allowances for the United States and the Recommended Nutrient Intakes for Canada. The lessons learned and the knowledge gained will guide decisions about the next phase of the DRIs. To paraphrase one participant, we are now asking better questions.