Recommendations
A system was developed during World War II to determine a minimum nutrient intake to prevent deficiency diseases from occurring. This system was called the Recommended Daily Allowance or RDA. These basic nutritional guidelines were required to be placed on nutrition panels on manufactured foods. The system, recently renamed Reference Daily Intake (or RDI) is the current standard.
Though the name changed, the values are essentially the same. There is much controversy among nutritionists, dieticians, doctors, and others about the value of the current system. Because it was developed so long ago (and originally intended to prevent malnourishment), many believe it to be inadequate.
Today, many nutrition professionals are calling for revised standards and are suggesting ranges, rather than minimums. Most people would like to know the optimum daily intake supporting vitality and the highest level of wellbeing rather than meeting a minimum designed just to keep you from getting sick. Though those that are under more stress who are very athletic have higher needs than a sedentary person, the system does provide basic guidelines for all of us to start from.