Vitamin E intake status requires reassessment because the recommended levels have been increased and take into account only the alpha-tocopherol form of vitamin E. A database of alpha-tocopherol values for more than 7,000 foods was developed and applied to dietary data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2000. Usual intake distributions were determined and evaluated for adequacy. Ninety percent or more of the adults studied had their usual intakes below the current Estimated Average Requirement. Several observations-the prevalence of inadequate intakes of vitamin E, absence of signs of deficiency in the U.S. population, and increasing evidence that vitamin E helps reduce chronic disease risk-point to a need for further research.