Dietary reference values are the scientific benchmarks for nutrient intakes, including recommended allowances, adequate intakes and upper safe limits, set by expert panels from evidence on requirements and deficiency prevention. They underpin nutrition labelling, fortification policy and dietary guidelines worldwide. Food formulators use them to judge whether a product is a meaningful source of a vitamin or mineral, and regulators reference them when setting claim thresholds. They are reviewed periodically as nutrition science advances. Front-of-pack nutrition schemes and health claims both lean on these values to decide what counts as a significant source.