Pg. 1-38
6/6/12
10:20 AM
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Recommended “Daily Values” (DV)
The U.S. government’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has established Reference
Daily Intake (RDI) amounts for vitamins and minerals. Also known as Daily Values (DV),
these amounts are based on the older Minimum Daily Requirements (MDRs) and
Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs) originally developed to help people avoid scurvy,
pellagra, and other conditions resulting from severe vitamin or mineral deficiencies. All food
labels now carry Nutrition Facts showing the percentage of the Daily Value of each of these
ingredients, per serving. Dietary supplements display Supplement Facts, which indicate the
amounts of these ingredients as well as the percentage of the Daily Value (see Table 1).
Table 1
Nutrient
100% Daily Value*
Iodine
150 mcg
Magnesium
400 mg
Zinc
15 mg
Selenium
70 mcg
Copper
2 mg
Manganese
2 mg
Chromium
120 mcg
Molybdenum
75 mcg
Chloride
3,400 mg
Potassium
3,500 mg
Choline
†
Inositol
†
PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid)
†
Vitamin F
†
(unsaturated fatty acids) (linoleic acid)
Vitamin P (bioflavonoids, rutin, hesperidin) †
Cobalt
†
Nutrient
100% Daily Value*
Vitamin A
5,000 IU
Vitamin C
60 mg
Vitamin D
400 IU
Vitamin E
30 IU
Vitamin K (phylloquinone)
80 mcg
Thiamin (vitamin B-1)
1.5 mg
Riboflavin (vitamin B-2)
1.7 mg
Niacin
20 mg
Vitamin B-6
2 mg
Folate
400 mcg
Vitamin B-12
6 mcg
Biotin
300 mcg
Pantothenic Acid
10 mg
Calcium
1000 mg
Iron
18 mg
Phosphorus
1000 mg
*For adults and children 4 years of age and older.
†Daily Value not established.
Source: 21CFR101.9 and 21CFR101.36
Table 2
Total Fat
Sat. Fat
Cholesterol
Sodium
Potassium
Total Carbohydrate
Fiber
Protein
Calories
Less than
Less than
Less than
Less than
2,000
65 g
20 g
300 mg
2,400 mg
3,500 mg
300 g
25 g
50 g
2,500
80 g
25 g
300 mg
2,400 mg
3,500 mg
375 g
30 g
65 g
Calories Per Gram:
Fat 9 • Carbohydrate 4 • Protein 4
The “Daily Values” in the Nutrition and
Supplement Facts boxes for calories,
sugar, fat, etc. are measured as percentages of a 2,000 calorie diet each day, based
on recommended amounts for these
nutrients (see Table 2). Food labels must
show the amount and percentage for
each of these nutrients, even if it is zero.
Supplements only list these nutrients
when they are present.
Source: 21CFR101.9
Equivalent Weights used in measuring contents of tablets, capsules, powders, etc.
Table 3
1000 milligrams
1000 micrograms
1 microgram
1 fluid ounce
1 minim
1 ounce avoirdupois
1 pound
1 kilogram
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
1 gram
1 milligram
1 gamma
480 minims
0.00208333 fluid ounce
28.3495 grams
453.5924 grams
2.2046 pounds
1000 grams
=
1 ounce avoirdupois =
1 microgram
=
1 gram
=
1 grain
=
1 milligram
=
1 cubic centimeter =
60 minims
=
1 kilogram
437.5 grains
0.064799 grain
15.4324 grains
64.799 milligrams
0.0154324 grain
16.23 minims
1 teaspoon