Question 1

What is the % Daily Value on a nutrition label?

Accepted Answer

The percentage of a nutrient's Daily Value that one serving of the food provides, on a 2,000-calorie reference diet. The FDA sets the Daily Values in 21 CFR 101.9(c)(8) and (c)(9); for example 78 g total fat, 20 g saturated fat, 2,300 mg sodium, 28 g dietary fiber, 50 g added sugars, 1,300 mg calcium and 18 mg iron. 5% DV or less is considered low and 20% DV or more is considered high.

Question 2

How is % Daily Value calculated?

Accepted Answer

Divide the amount of the nutrient in one serving by its Daily Value and multiply by 100. The FDA allows the calculation from either the declared (rounded) amount or the actual amount before rounding, as long as one basis is used throughout the label. The result is rounded to the nearest whole percent for macronutrients and, for vitamins and minerals, to the nearest 2% up to 10%, the nearest 5% up to 50% and the nearest 10% above that.

Question 3

Which nutrients have no Daily Value?

Accepted Answer

Trans fat, total sugars and protein (on most labels) carry no % Daily Value. Protein shows a %DV only when a protein claim is made or the food is for infants or children under four, and then it must be based on a protein-quality-corrected value. Total sugars has no DV because no reference intake has been set; added sugars has one (50 g).

Question 4

What does "good source" or "excellent source" mean on a label?

Accepted Answer

They are FDA nutrient content claims defined in 21 CFR 101.54. "Good source of", "contains" or "provides" means the food supplies 10% to 19% of the Daily Value per reference amount; "excellent source of", "high in" or "rich in" means 20% or more. "More" or "added" claims require at least 10% DV more than the reference food. The claims apply to nutrients with a Daily Value, and the food must not exceed the disqualifying levels of fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium set out in 101.13(h).

Question 5

Are Daily Values the same for children and infants?

Accepted Answer

No. The general Daily Values are for adults and children four years and older. 21 CFR 101.9(c)(8)(iv) sets separate values for infants through 12 months, children one through three years, and pregnant and lactating women, and a label for one of those groups must use its own set and say so in the column heading.

Question 6

Do other countries use the same Daily Values?

Accepted Answer

No. Canada has its own Table of Daily Values (for example 2,300 mg sodium but 75 g fat and 100 g sugars), the EU and UK use Reference Intakes (8,400 kJ / 2,000 kcal, 70 g fat, 20 g saturates, 260 g carbohydrate, 90 g sugars, 50 g protein, 6 g salt) and Nutrient Reference Values for vitamins and minerals, and China uses NRVs. The same product shows different percentages in each market.

Nutrient	DV = 100%
Total Fat	78 g
Saturated Fat	20 g
Cholesterol	300 mg
Sodium	2300 mg
Total Carbohydrate	275 g
Dietary Fiber	28 g
Added Sugars	50 g
Protein	50 g
Vitamin D	20 mcg
Calcium	1300 mg
Iron	18 mg
Potassium	4700 mg
Vitamin A	900 mcg RAE
Vitamin C	90 mg
Vitamin E	15 mg alpha-tocopherol
Vitamin K	120 mcg
Thiamin	1.2 mg
Riboflavin	1.3 mg
Niacin	16 mg NE
Vitamin B6	1.7 mg
Folate	400 mcg DFE
Vitamin B12	2.4 mcg
Phosphorus	1250 mg
Magnesium	420 mg
Zinc	11 mg

Daily Value Calculator

21 CFR 101.9(c)(9) Reference Intakes

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Daily Value Calculator

21 CFR 101.9(c)(9) Reference Intakes

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The rules this tool implements

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