Vitamin A
US Daily Value for adults: 900 mcg RAE · unit on labels: mcg RAE
Vitamin A is measured in retinol activity equivalents (mcg RAE); International Units were used on older labels. NIH ODS conversions: 1 IU retinol = 0.3 mcg RAE and 1 IU supplemental beta-carotene = 0.3 mcg RAE, so 900 mcg RAE is 3,000 IU when the source is retinol or a beta-carotene supplement, but more IU when it comes from food carotenoids. China's label NRV and the EU values are stated in retinol equivalents (mcg RE), an older equivalence system, so RAE and RE figures are not interchangeable.
Reference intakes
| Value | United States | China | European Union |
|---|---|---|---|
| Label reference valueBasis of the % on labels, fixed by each regulation; not a recommended intake | 900 mcg RAEDV · Adults and children 4+1 | 800 mcg RENRV3 | 800 mcgNRV5 |
| Recommended intake, adults | 900 mcg RAE (men), 700 mcg RAE (women)RDA · Adults 19+2 | 770 mcg RAE (men 18–49), 750 mcg RAE (men 50–64), 730 mcg RAE (men 65–74), 710 mcg RAE (men 75+); 660 mcg RAE (women 18–64), 640 mcg RAE (women 65–74), 600 mcg RAE (women 75+)RNI · Adults 18+4 | 750 mcg RE (men), 650 mcg RE (women)PRI6 |
| Upper intake level | 3,000 mcg (preformed vitamin A)UL · Adults 19+2 | 3000 mcg (preformed vitamin A, not provitamin A carotenoids)UL · Adults 18+4 | 3000 mcg RE (preformed vitamin A)UL7 |
- FDA, 21 CFR 101.9(c)(8)(iv), Daily Values for adults and children 4 years and older
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Vitamin A and carotenoids fact sheet for health professionals (2025)
- GB 28050-2011 General rules for nutrition labelling of prepackaged foods, Appendix A nutrient reference values (NRV); value unchanged in GB 28050-2025, Appendix A (published 16 March 2025, in force 16 March 2027) (2025)
- Chinese Nutrition Society, Chinese Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs 2023) (2023)
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex XIII Part A, nutrient reference values (consolidated text) (2011)
- EFSA NDA Panel, Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for vitamin A (2015)
- EFSA NDA Panel, Scientific opinion on the tolerable upper intake level for preformed vitamin A (2024)
Label values (DV, NRV) are the reference points behind the percentages on labels. Recommended intakes and upper levels are quoted from the bodies named; they vary by age, sex and life stage, and they are not advice.