Scientific Opinion on the Tolerable Upper Intake Level of vitamin D

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies was asked to re-evaluate the safety in use of vitamin D and to provide, if necessary, revised Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) of vitamin D for all relevant population groups. The ULs for adults including pregnant and lactating women, children and adolescents were revised. For adults, hypercalcaemia was selected as the indicator of toxicity. In two studies in men, intakes between 234 and 275 mu g/day were not associated with hypercalcaemia, and a no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of 250 mu g/day was established. Taking into account uncertainties associated with these studies, the UL for adults including pregnant and lactating women was set at 100 mu g/day. Despite a continuing paucity of data for high vitamin D intakes in children and adolescents, the UL was adapted to 100 mu g/day for ages 11-17 years, considering that owing to phases of rapid bone formation and growth this age group is unlikely to have a lower tolerance for vitamin D compared to adults. The same applies also to children aged 1-10 years, but taking into account their smaller body size, a UL of 50 mu g/day is proposed. For infants, the UL of 25 mu g/day based on previously available data relating high vitamin D intakes to impaired growth and hypercalcaemia was retained as limited additional evidence has emerged since the previous risk assessment. Data on vitamin D intakes from surveys in 14 European countries indicate that intakes in high consumers are below the revised ULs for vitamin D for all population groups. (C) European Food Safety Authority, 2012.