Chapter 2.


1.4.3 Other nutrient RNIs

Recommended nutrient intakes have also been developed for other essential nutrients such as
the major vitamins, A, the five B vitamins, C, D, E and K, plus the important dietary minerals.
These can be as important as protein and energy in ensuring a healthy and productive life for a
country's population. Deficiencies can cause blindness, anaemia and other debilitating
conditions and clearly have to be included in a broad definition of food security. However,'
many of the methods described in this chapter are not sufficiently detailed or precise to enable
a proper assessment of adequacy. Where a diet is adequate in energy, and is composed of a
reasonable variety of foods, the needs for these other nutrients will often be met. However,
nutrition surveys may show specific nutrient deficiencies, or health records may identify cause
for concern. The principles here are the same as for protein RNIs. A level of intake is identified
which should cover the needs of 97.5% of the population, without encouraging high levels of
intake which could, in some cases such as vitamin A, cause negative effects through excess
ingestion.

2. Food Consumption

Once the reference values for different nutrients have been identified at different levels of
aggregation, the next step is to measure actual levels of nutrient intake and assess their
adequacy. In this section various methods of measuring both the food available for human'
consumption, and more importantly the actual amounts of food consumed are discussed.

2.1 Methods of measuring food consumption

2.1.1 Food Balance Sheet (FBS)

Food balance sheets, which are collated in most countries now, show the quantities of food
commodities available for human consumption at the national level. By building up a picture ot
production, imports and exports, the FBS shows the average level of food supply in a country
over a given period of time. Table 2.5 shows a condensed FBS for Indonesia for 1976. It can be
seen that the necessary information to compile a FBS is as follows:

 domestic production figures by commodity and by food group
 changes in stocks over the period concerned (an addition to stocks reduces the amount
 available for human consumption
 imports and exports
 amounts going to animal feed, seed, food and non-food manufacture and waste

 Once these have been taken into account, the amount available for human consumption can be
 calculated, both at an aggregate level, and at a per capital level. With the information from a
 food nutrient content table, this can then be expressed in terms of nutrient value of the average
 daily diet. In the example shown, values for calories and grams of protein are given. Grams of
 fat, and quantities of other nutrients, such as vitamins, can also be estimated.


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