DEAS 797 : 2022 
ICS 67.040; 67.230  
 
© EA C 2022                                                                                                                      Second  Edition 20 22  
 DRAFT EAST AFRICAN STANDARD  
Vitamin and mineral supplements  ― Specification  
EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY  DEAS 797 : 2022  
ii © EAC 20 22– All rights reserv ed 
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Violators may be pr osecuted . DEAS 797 : 2022 
© EAC 20 22 – All rights reserved  iii 
 Contents  Page 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  1 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  2 
4 Requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  3 
5 Levels of vitamin and mineral supplements  ................................ ................................ .......................  4 
6 Heavy metal contaminants  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  4 
7 Hygiene  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  4 
8 Packaging  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  5 
9 Labelling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  5 
 DEAS 797 : 2022  
iv © EAC 20 22– All rights reserv ed 
 Foreword  
 
Develo pment of the East African Standard has been necessitated by the need for harmonizing  requirements 
governing qua lity of products and services in the East African Community. It is  envisaged that through 
harmonized standardization, trade barriers  which are en countered  when  goods and services are exchanged 
within th e Community will be removed.  
In order to ac hieve this objective, the Community established an East African Standards Committee mandated  
to develop and issue East African Standards.  
The C ommittee is c omposed o f representatives of the National Standards Bodies in Partner States, together  
with the repr esentatives from the private sectors and consumer organizations. Draft East African Standards  
are circulated to stakeholders through the Natio nal Standards  Bodies i n the Partner States. The comments  
received are discussed and incorporated before finalizati on of standards, in accordance with the procedures  
of the Community.  
East African Standards are subject to review, to keep pace with technolog ical advances . Users o f the East  
African Standards are therefore expected to ensure that they always have the lates t versions of the standards  
they are implementing.  
This East African Standard, DEAS 797 :2022, was prepared by the Technical Committee EASC /TC 018,  
Nutritio n and fo ods for special dietary uses. The Tech nical Committee is composed of representatives from 
National  Standa rds Bodies, regulators, academia, the private sector and consumer organizations in Partner 
States.  
This East African Standard is based on CAC/GL 55:200 5, Guidelines for vitamin and mineral food  
supplements  
This second edition DEAS 797 :2022 cancels and replaces the first edition, EAS 7 97:2013, which has been 
technically revised.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 DEAS 797 : 2022 
© EAC 20 22 – All rights reserved  v 
 Introduction  
 
Most people who have access to a balanced diet can usually obtain all  the nutrients they require from their  
normal diet. Because foods contain many substances that promote healt h, people should therefor e be  
encouraged to select a balanced diet from food before considering any vitamin and mineral s upplement . In 
cases where t he intake from the diet is insufficient or where consumers consider their diet requires  
supplementation, vit amin and mineral food sup plements serve to supplement the daily diet.  
 
 DRAFT EAST AFRICAN STANDARD  DEAS 797 : 2022  
 
© EAC 2019 – All rights reserved 1 
 Vitamin and mineral supplements — Specification  
1 Scope  
1.1 This Draft East African Standard specifies the requirements , sampling and test methods  for vitamin 
and mineral supplement s intended for use in sup plementing the daily food/  diet with vitamins and/or minerals  
for huma n consumption  
1.2 This Draft East Afr ican standard covers  vitamin and mineral supplements in concentrated forms of 
those nutrients  singly or in combinations, marketed in forms such as capsules, tablets,  powders, paste and 
solut ions.  
1.3 This standard does not cover vitamin and mineral prod ucts intended for special dietary uses or  
medical/therap eutic purposes  
 
2 Normative references  
The following documents are referred to in the tex t in such a way that some or all of their conten t constitutes 
requirements of this document . For dated referenc es, only the edition cited applie s. For undated references, 
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.  
AOAC 971.21, Mercury in food — Flameless Atomic Abs orption Spectrometric method  
AOAC 973.34, Cadmiu m in food — Atomic  Absorption Spectrometric meth od 
CODEX STAN 192 , General standard fo r food additives  
EAS 38, Labelling of pre -packaged fo ods — Specification  
EAS 39, Hygiene in the food and drink manufacturing industry — Code of practice  
EAS 803, Nutrition labelling — Requ irements  
EAS 804, Claims on foods — Requirements  
EAS 805, Use of nutritional and health cl aims — Requirement  
ISO 11290 -1, Microbiology of the foo d chain — Horizontal method for the detection and enumeration of 
Listeria monocytogenes and of Listeria sp p. — Part 1: Detection method  
ISO 12193, Animal and vegetable fats and oils — Determination of lead by direct graphite furnace 
atomic  absorption spec troscopy  
ISO 21527 -2, Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs — Horizontal method for th e enumeratio n 
of yeasts and moulds — Part 2: Colony count techn ique in products with water activity less than or equal 
to 0.95  
ISO 2590, General method for the determination of arsenic — Silver diethyldithiocarbamate photometric  
method   
2 © EAC 20 22– All rights reserv ed 
 ISO 4832, Microbiology of food a nd an imal feedi ng stuffs — Horizontal method for the enumeration of  
coliforms — Colony -count technique  
ISO 4833 -1, Microbiology of the food chain — Horizontal method for the enumeration of microorganisms 
— Part 1: Colony count at 30 °C by the pour plate te chniq ue 
ISO 6579 -1, Microbiology of the food chain — Horizontal method for the detection, enumeration and 
serotyping of Salmonella — Part 1: Detection of Salmonella spp.  
ISO 6888 -1, Micro biology of food and animal feeding stuffs — Horizontal method for the  enum eration of  
coagulas e-positive staphylococci (Staphylococcus aureus and  other species) — Part 1: Technique using  
Baird -Parker agar medium  
3 Terms and definitions  
For the purposes of this standard the following  terms an d definitions shall apply:  
3.1 
vitamin and mineral supplement  
concentrated forms  of vita min and mineral nutrients singly or i n combinations, that are designed to be taken in  
measured small -unit quantities but are not in a conventional food form and whose purpose is to supplement  
the intake of v itamins and/or minerals  from the normal d iet 
 
NOT E Small -unit quantities refer to the physical forms of the vitamin and mineral supplements and not to the  potency of 
the supplements.  
 
3.2 
Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs)  
set of numerical val ues that are ba sed on scien tific data for purposes of nutrition labelling and relevant claims. 
They comprise the following two types of NRVs: Nutrient Reference Values - Requirements (NRVs -R) refer t o 
NRVs that are based on levels of n utrients associated wi th nutrient req uirements; a nd Nutrient Reference 
Values - Non-communicable Disease (NRVs -NCD) refer to NRVs that are based on levels of nutrients 
associated with the reduction in the risk of diet -related non -communicable diseases n ot including nutrient 
deficiency disease s or disorde rs. 
3.3  
food for special dietary uses  
foods which are special ly processed or formulated to satisfy particular dietary requirements which exist 
because of a particular physical or physiological condition and/or specific diseases  and disorders and which 
are presented as such. The composition of these foodstuffs must d iffer significantly from the composition of 
ordinary foods of comparable nature, if such ordinary foods exist . 
 
3.4 
Ready to use t herapeutic food  (RUTF)  
 
food for spe cial medical pu rposes and a re high - energy and contain adequate protein and other essential 
nutrients for the dietary management of children from 6 to 59 months with severe acute malnutrition witho ut 
medical complications with appetite  
 
 
  
© EAC 20 22 – All rights reserved  3 
 4 Requirement s 
4.1 General  requi rement s 
4.1.1  The vitamins and minerals supplement shall have accepta ble flavour and odour and shall be fr ee from 
rancid, musty or any other foreign odour or flavour characteristic of spoilage.  
4.1.2  The product shall be free from dirt; and extraneous and deleterious material.  
4.2 Specific  requirements  
4.2.1  Vitamin and mineral supplements shall contain vitamins/pro -vitamins and minerals whose  nutritional 
value for human beings has been prove n by scientific data and whose status  as vitami ns and minerals is 
recognized  by Food and Agriculture O rganization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO).  
Table 1 provides a list of recognized  vitamins and minerals and the units of expression to be used for the  
purposes of labelling.  
Table 1 — List o f recognis ed vitami ns and minerals for supplements and units for expression  
Vitamin  Unit of expression  Mineral  Unit of expression  
Fat soluble  Iron  mg 
Vitamin A  μg RE  
Vitamin D  μg Magnesium  mg 
Vitamin E  mg α -TE Calcium  mg 
Vitamin K  μg Copper  μg 
Water Soluble  Iodine μg 
Vitamin C  mg Zinc  mg 
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)  mg Manganese  mg 
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)  mg Phosphorus  mg 
Vitamin B 3 (Niacin)  mg NE  Sodium  mg 
Pantothenic Acid  mg Potassium  mg 
Vitamin B 6 (Pyridoxine)  mg Selenium  μg 
Folates  μg Chromiu m  μg 
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamine)  μg Molybdenum  μg 
Biotin  μg Fluoride  mg 
 Chloride  mg 
4.2.2  The sources of vitamins and minerals may be either natural or synthetic and their selection shall be  
based on considerations such as safety and bioav ailability . In addition, pur ity criteria shall take into ac count  
FAO/WHO standards, if FAO/WHO standards are not available, International Pharmacopoeia or recognized  
international standards. In the absence of international criteria, national legislati on of  the count ry of origin or  
destination shall be used.  
4.2.3  Vitamin and mineral supplements may contain a ll vitamins and minerals that comply with the  criteria in 
4.2.1 and 4.2.2 as a single vitamin and/or mineral or an appropriate combination of vitam ins and/or  mine rals. 
4.2.4  Other ingredients including vitam ins and minerals used as carriers or additives to  the food  
supplements shall conform to CODEX STAN 192  or to pharmacopoeias.   
4 © EAC 20 22– All rights reserv ed 
 5 Levels of vitamin and mineral supplements  
5.1 The minimum l evel of ea ch vitamin and/ or mineral contained in a vitamin and mineral  supplement,  per 
daily portion of consumption, as suggested by the manufacturer sha ll provide at least 15 % of the Nutrient  
Reference Values (NRV) as determined by FAO/WHO. The NRVs  for vario us nutrients for t he general  
population are indicated in Annex A.  
5.2 The maximum amount of the vit amin and minerals shall be guided by upper safe level of the vitamins  
and mineral as set by WHO/FAO taking into consideration, as appropriate, the varying de grees of sensitivi ty of 
different consumer groups and the intake o f vitamins and minerals from othe r dietary sources. The nutrient  
requirement values for different consumer age groups are indicated in Annex B for minerals and Annex C for  
vitamins . 
5.3 Vitamins and minerals used as carriers shall not be subject to the req uirements of 5.1.  
6 Heavy metal c ontaminants  
When tested using validated method, the vitamin and mineral supplements  shall not have any heavy  metal in 
amounts that can cause h arm to the popu lation a nd in  partic ular, the product shall comply with the  heavy 
metal limits listed in Table  2. 
Table 2 — Limits of heavy metal contaminants in vitamin and mineral supplements  
S/N Contaminant  Maximum limit,  mg/kg  Methods of test  
i.  Arsenic  0.1 ISO 2590  
ii.  Lead  3 ISO 1 2193  
iii.  Cadmium  3 AOAC 973.34  
iv.  Mercury  0.1 AOAC 971.21  
7 Hygiene  
7.1 The vitamin and mineral supplements shall be prepar ed and packaged in the premises built and  
maintained under hygienic condition i n accordance wi th EAS 39.  
7.2 When teste d in accordance with  relevant test methods, the product shall be free from pathogenic  
microorganisms and in particular shall conform to t he limits in Table 3.  
Table 3 — Microbiological limits for vitamin and mineral supplements  
S/N  Microorganisms  Maximum Limits  Test method  
i.  Total plate count, cfu/g, max.  103 ISO 4833 -1 
ii.  Total Coliform s cfu/g  absent  ISO 4832  
iii.  Salmonella sp p,per25g  absent  ISO 6579 -1 
iv.  Staphylococcu s aur eus cfu/g  absent  ISO 6888 -1 
v.  Listeria spp per 25 g  absent ISO 11290 -1 
vi.  Mould  and yeast, cfu/g   102 ISO 21527 -2  
© EAC 20 22 – All rights reserved  5 
 8 Packaging  
The vitamin and mineral supplements shall be packaged in food grade, non -absorbent materials which do not  
have adverse effects on the composition of the product including its nutritional  value, prop erties and 
appearance.  
NOTE 1 Pack aging materials may be required to meet different regulations in the different destina tion Partner 
States  
9 Labelling  
9.1 General labelling requirements  
Vitamin and mineral supplements shall be labelled in accordance wit h EAS 38.  
The am ount of vi tamins and  minerals shall be declared on the label in accordance with  EAS 803 . 
Nutrition and health claims on vitamin and mineral supplements may be made in accordance with EAS  804 
and EAS 805. 
9.2 Specific labelling requ irements  
9.2.1 Name of t he product  
The name of the product shall be “XXX Supplement‟ , where XXX indicates vitamin  or mineral  or Vitamin  and 
mineral  with an i ndication of the category(ies) of nutrients or of  the individual vitamin(s) and/or mineral(s) 
contained in the product as t he case may be as de scribed in 4.2.1  and as indic ated in examples below:  
a) “Vitamin supplement” (where several vitamins are incor porated);  
b) “Mineral supplement” (where several minerals are incorporated);  
c) “Vitamin and mineral supplement” (where vitamins and mi nerals are used in c ombination); a nd 
d) “Vitamin “X” or miner al “Y” supplement”, (where “X” and “Y” represent speci fic vitamin or mineral  used 
respectively).  
Declaration “food /dietary ” in case where product is  intended for general popu lation  
 
9.2.2  Amount of vitamins and mineral s 
The amount of the vitamins and minerals present in the product shall be declared in the labe lling in numerical  
form. The units shall be those specified in Table 1.  
The amount of  vitamin and minerals declared shall be average value bas ed on the manufactur ers analysis of  
the product but in either case shall be in compli ance with 5.1 and 5.2.  
Vitami ns and all minerals constituting less than 15 % of NRV per portion, sha ll not be decl ared as nutrient  
supplements on the label.  
9.2.3  Instruct ions for use  
The lab el shall indicate how the product is to be used in relation to ta rget group, quantity, frequen cy and  
preparation and any special conditions and precautions that need to be observed.   
6 © EAC 20 22– All rights reserv ed 
 9.3 Specific pr ohibition and statements  
9.3.1  The labe lling, presentation and advertising shall not attribute to a food supplements the property of  
preventing , treating or curing a hum an disease or refer to such properties.  
9.3.2  The label shall contain advice to the con sumer not to exceed the maximum one -day amount 
recommended by the manufacturer as indicated in 9.2.3.  
9.3.3  The label shall have a statement to  the effect that food  supp lements should not be used as a  
substitute for meals or normal diet.  In addition the label, presentation or advertisement shal l not include any 
mention stating or implying that a  balanced diet cannot provide appropriate quantities  of nutrients in gene ral. 
9.3.4  The label shall have a statement to the effect that the product  should be stored out of reach of  
children.  
9.4 Other req uirements  
In additio n to the above requirements, the following shall be included on the label:  
a) name, and physical  address of the m anufacturer;  packer, distributor, importer, exporter or vendor ; 
b) country of origin ; 
c) ingredients i n descen ding order of proporti ons; 
d) food additives by their specific names;  
e) date of manufacture;  
f) expiry date;  
g) batch/lot number;  
h) condition of storage;  
i) net content; and  
j) allergen(s) if any.  
 
 
  
© EAC 20 22 – All rights reserved  7 
 Anne x A 
(normative ) 
 
Nutrient Reference Value (NRVs)  
The NRVs for various nutrients for the gener al pop ulation are in dicated in Table A.1. 
Table A.1 ― Nutrient Re ference Values  
Vitamins  (Maximum limits)  
Vitamin A (μg)  800* 
Vitamin D (μg)  5-15 
Vitamin C (μg)  100 
Vitamin K (μg)  60 
Vitamin E  (mg) 9 
Thiamin (mg)  1.2 
Riboflavin (mg)  1.2 
Niaci n (mg NE)  15 
Vitam in B6 (mg)  1.3 
Folate (μ g DFE)  400 
Vitamin B12 (μg)   2.4 
Pantothenate (mg)  5 
Biotin (μg)  30 
Minerals  
Calcium (mg)  1,000 
Magnesium (mg)   310 
Iron (mg)  14 (15% dietary absorption; Diversified diets,  
rich in meat fish, poult ry, and/o r rich in f ruit 
and vegetables)  
22 (10% dietary absorption; Diets rich in  cereals, roots or 
tubers, with some meat,  fish, poultry and/or con taining 
some fruit and  vegetables)  
Zinc (mg)  11 (30% dietary absorption; Mixed diets,  
and lacto -ovo veget arian di ets that are  not 
based on unrefined cerea l grains or high  
extraction rate (>90%) flours)  
14 (22% dietary absorption; Cereal -based  diets, with  
>50% energy intake from cereal  grains or legumes  and 
negligible intake of  animal protein)  
Iodine (μg)  150 
Copper μg  900 
Selenium  μg  60 
Manganese  mg 3 
Molybdenum  μg 45  
8 © EAC 20 22– All rights reserv ed 
 Phosphor ous mg 700 
* For the declaration of β-carotene (Provitamin A) the  conv ersion factor should be  used: 1 μg retinol = 6 β -carotene  
  
© EAC 20 22 – All rights reserved  9 
 Annex  B 
(informative)  
 
Recommended nu trient intakes  
The recommended nutrient in takes for minerals for different age groups are indicated in the ta bles below.  
Table B.1 ― Recommended nutrient intakes for minerals (Calcium, Selenium, Magnes ium and Zinc)  
 
Group  Calcium,  
mg/day  Selenium,  
μg/day  Magnesium  
mg/day  Zinc,  mg/kg  
High  
bioavailability  Moderate  
bioavailability  Low 
Bioavailability  
Infants  
0–6 months  
 300 
400b  6 26a 
36c 1.1 2.8 6.6 
7–12 months  400 10 54 0.8 
2.5 4.1  4.4 
Childr en 
1–3 years   500 17  60 2.4 4.1  8.3 
4–6 years  600 22 76  2.9 4.8  9.6 
7–9 years  700 21 100 3.3  5.6 11.2 
Adolescent  
Females, 10 - 18 
years  1300  26 220  4.3 7.2  14.4 
Males, 10 – 18 
years  1300  32  230 5.1  8.6 17.1 
Adults  
Females, 19 - 50 
yrs 
(Premenop ausal ) 1000  26 220  3.0 4.9  9.8 
51 - 65 yrs  
(Menopausal)  1300  26 220  3.0 4.9  9.8 
Males  1300  34 260  4.2 7.0  14.0 
Elderly 65 +  
Females  1300  25  190 3.0  4.9 9.8 
Males  1300  33  224 4.2  7.0 14.0 
Pregnant women  
First trimester  NS NS  220 3.4  5.5 11.0 
Second trimester  Ns 28  220 4.2  7.0 14.0 
Third trimester  1200  30 220 6.0  10.0 20.0 
Lactating  
0–3 months  1000  35  270 5.8  9.5 19.0  
10 © EAC 20 22– All rights reserv ed 
 3–6 months  1000  35  270 5.3  8.8 17.5 
7–12 months  1000  42  270 4.3  7.2 14.2 
a Breastfed                         b Cow milk -fed                  c Formula fed  
 
Table B.2 ― Recommended nutrient intakes for minerals (Iron and Iodine)  
Group  Iron,  mg/day  Iodine, μg/day  
 15 %  
Bioavailability  12 %  
Bioavailability  10 %  
Bioavailability  5 %  
Bioavailability  
Infants  
0 – 6 months -  - - - - 90 
7 – 12 months  6.2 7.7 9.3  18.6 90 
Children  
1 – 3 yrs  3.9 4.8 5.8 11.6 90 
4 – 6 yrs  4.2 5.3 6.3 12.6 90 
7 – 9 yrs  5.9 7.4 8.9 17.8 120 (6 – 12 yrs)  
Adolescent  
Females  10 -18 
yrs 21.8 (11 –14 yrs)  
20.7 (15 –17 yrs)  27.7 (11 –14 yrs  
25.8 (15 –17 yrs)  32.7 (11 –14 yrs)  
31.0 (15 –17 yrs) 65.4 (11 –14 yrs)  
62.0 (15 –17 yrs)  150 (13 –18 yrs)  
Males  
10 – 18 yrs  9.7 (11 –14 yrs)  
12.5 (15 –17 yrs  12.2 (11 –14 yrs)  
15.7 (15 –17 yrs)  14.6 (11 –14 yrs)  
18.8 (15 –17 yrs)  29.2 (11 –14 yrs)  
37.6 (15 –17 yrs)  150 (13 –18 yrs)  
Adults 
Females (19 - 50 
yrs) 
(Premenopausal)  19.6  24.5 29.4  58.8 150 
51 - 65 yrs  
(Menopausal)  7.5  9.4 11.3  22.6 150 
Males  9.1 11.4  13.7 27.4 150 
Elderly 65 +  
Females  7.5 9.4 11.3 22.6 150 
Males  9.1 11.4 13.7 27.4 150 
Pregnant women  
First trimester  NS* NS NS NS 200 
Second trimester  NS NS NS NS 200 
Third trimester  NS NS NS NS 200 
Lactating  
0 – 3 months  10.0 12.5 15.0 30.0 200 
3 – 6 months  10.0 12.5 15.0 30.0 200 
7 – 12 months  10.0 12.5 15.0 30.0 200 
*Not specified. It is recommended that iron supplementation b e done.  
  
© EAC 20 22 – All rights reserved  11 
 Annex  C 
(informative)  
 
Recommended nutrient intakes for water and fat soluble vitamins  
The recommended nutrient intakes for vitamins for different age groups are indicated in the tables below.  
Table C.1  ― Recommended nutrient intakes for vitamins (B6, C, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin and  
Pantothaenate)  
Group  
 Vitamin C,  
mg/day  Thiamine  
μg/day  Riboflavin  
mg/day  Niacin** mg 
NE/day  Vitamin B6  
mg/kg  Pantothenate  
mg/kg  
Infants  
0 – 6 months  25  0.2 0.3  2 0.1  1.7 
7 – 12 months  30 0.3 0.4  4 0.3  1.8 
Children  
1–3 yrs   30 0.5 0.5 6 0.5 2.0 
4–6 yrs  30 0.6 0.6 8 0.6 3.0 
7–9 yrs  35 0.9 0.9 12 1.0 4.0 
Adolescent  
Females  10 -18 ys  40 1.2 1.3 16 1.3 5.0 
Males  10 – 18 ys  40 1.2 1.3 16 1.3 5.0 
Adults  
Female s (19 - 50 
yrs) 
(Premenopausal)  45 1.1 1.1 1.4 1.5 5.0 
51 - 65 yrs  
(Menopausal)   45 1.1 1.1 1.4 1.5 5.0 
Males  45 1.2 1.3 16 1.3 
(19 – 50 yrs)  
1.7 
(50+yrs)  5.0 
Elderly 65 +  
Females  45 1.1  1.1 1.4  1.5 5.0 
Males  45  1.2 1.3  16 1.7  5 
Pregnant women   55 1.4  1.4 18  1.9 6.0 
Lactatating  70 1.5 1.6 17 2.0 7.0 
** NE = Niacin Equivalents  
 
Table C.2 ― Recommended nutrient intakes for vitamins (A,B12, D, E, K, Folates and Biotin)  
Group  Biotin  
μg/day  Vitamin 
B12 Folatesa μg 
DFE/day  Vitamin 
Ab,c,  μg Vitamin D,  
μg/kg  Vitamin E,  
mg α- Vitamin K,  
μg/day   
12 © EAC 20 22– All rights reserv ed 
 μg/day  RE/day  TE/kg  
Infants  
0–6 months   5 0.4 80  375 5  2.7 5 
7–12 months  6 0.7 80 400 5 2.7 10 
Children  
1–3 yrs  8 0.9 150 400 5 5.0 15 
4–6 yrs  12 1.2 200 450 5 5.0 20 
7–9 yrs  20 1.8 300 500 5 7.0 25 
Adolescent  
Females  10 -18 
yrs 25  2.4 400 600 5 7.5 35 - 55 
Males  10 – 18 yrs  
 25 2.4 400 600 5 7.5 35 – 55 
Adults  
Females  (19 - 50 
yrs) 
(Premenopausal)  30 2.4 400 500 5 7.5 55 
51 - 65 yrs  
(Menopausal)  30 2.4 400 500 5 7.5 55 
Males  30  2.4 400  600 5 (19 –50 
yrs) 
10 (50+yrs)  10.0  65 
Elderly 65 +  
Females  NS 2.4 400 600 15 7.5 55 
Males  NS 2.4 400 600 15 10 65 
Pregnant Women  30 2.6 600 800 5 NS 55 
Lactatating  35 2.8 500 850 5 NS 55 
a DFE = Dietary Folate Equivalents; μg DFE provided = { μg  of food folate + ( 1.7 x μg of synthetic folic acid}  
b Vitamin A values are „recommended safe intakes‟  
c Recommended safe intakes as μg RE/day; conversion factor are as follows:  
1 μg retinol = 1 RE 
1 μg β -caritene = 0.167 μg RE  
 1 μg other provitamins A carotenoids = 0.084 μg RE  
 
 
 
 DEAS 797 : 2022   
 
© EAC 20 22– All rights reserved