Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI)

An estimate used as part of the Dietary Reference Value (DRV) in the UK as a standard of the amounts of each nutrient needed by different groups of people in the population to maintain good health. The Reference Nutrient Intake is defined as:

An estimate of the levels of protein, vitamins and minerals that should meet the needs of most of the group to which they apply. The RNI is the amount of a nutrient that is enough to ensure that the needs of nearly all the group (97.5%) are being met. By definition, many within the group will need less.