% DV = the ratio between the amount of the nutrient in a serving of food and the DV for the nutrient
%DV (Percent Daily Value) is based on “Daily Values” – the amounts of nutrients recommended for Americans aged 4 and older to eat every day. As a rule of thumb, 5% DV or less per serving is considered low, while 20% DV or more per serving is high.
What are the Daily Values (DVs) for the nutrients?
There are two sets of reference values for reporting nutrients in nutrition labeling:
1) Daily Reference Values (DRVs)
2) Reference Daily Intakes (RDIs).
These values assist consumers in interpreting information about the amount of a nutrient that is present in a food and in comparing nutritional values of food products. DRVs are established for adults and children four or more years of age, as are RDIs, with the exception of protein. DRVs are provided for total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, total carbohydrate, dietary fiber, sodium, potassium, and protein. RDIs are provided for vitamins and minerals and for protein for children less than four years of age and for pregnant and lactating women. In order to limit consumer confusion, however, the label includes a single term (i.e., Daily Value (DV)), to designate both the DRVs and RDIs. Specifically, the label includes the % DV, except that the % DV for protein is not required unless a protein claim is made for the product or if the product is to be used by infants or children under four years of age. The following table lists the DVs based on a caloric intake of 2,000 calories, for adults and children four or more years of age.
Table of Daily Values for the Most Common Nutrients
| Food Component | Daily Value (DV) |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 65 grams (g) |
| Saturated Fat | 20 g |
| Cholesterol | 300 milligrams (mg) |
| Sodium | 2,400 mg |
| Potassium | 3,500 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 300 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 25 g |
| Protein | 50 g |
| Vitamin A | 5,000 International Units (IU) |
| Vitamin C | 60 mg |
| Calcium | 1,000 mg |
| Iron | 18 mg |
| Vitamin D | 400 IU |
| Vitamin E | 30 IU |
| Vitamin K | 80 micrograms µg |
| Thiamin | 1.5 mg |
| Riboflavin | 1.7 mg |
| Niacin | 20 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 2 mg |
| Folate | 400 µg |
| Vitamin B12 | 6 µg |
| Biotin | 300 µg |
| Pantothenic acid | 10 mg |
| Phosphorus | 1,000 mg |
| Iodine | 150 µg |
| Magnesium | 400 mg |
| Zinc | 15 mg |
| Selenium | 70 µg |
| Copper | 2 mg |
| Manganese | 2 mg |
| Chromium | 120 µg |
| Molybdenum | 75 µg |
| Chloride | 3,400 mg |
