When is Adequate Intake (AI) established?

Adequate Intake (AI) is established when there is insufficient scientific evidence to determine a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for a nutrient. The purpose of AI is to provide a guideline for that nutrient's intake, based on observed or experimentally determined approximations of nutrient intake by a group of healthy people. This means that when there isn't enough evidence to set a specific standard like RDA, which requires more concrete data regarding how much of a nutrient meets the needs of the majority of the population, AI fills that gap by providing an estimated intake level that is assumed to be adequate for most individuals.

This process recognizes that some nutrients may not have extensive research available, making it challenging to establish precise recommendations. Thus, AI serves to ensure that individuals can still receive guidance on nutrient intake even in the absence of rigorous data. In contrast, the other options related to studying foodborne illnesses or evaluating diets for weight loss do not pertain to the establishment of AI, as those contexts do not involve the process of determining normative dietary guidelines for nutrient intake.