Chapter 3

39

Nutrition Labeling

regulations require nutrition labeling of most meat or

meat products (9 CFR 317.300 to 317.400) and poultry
products (9 CFR 381.400 to 381.500). Certain nutrient
information is required on the label, and other information is voluntary (Table 3-1). In addition, while FSIS
allows voluntary declaration of stearic acid content on
the label, FDA does not, but has been petitioned to
do so.
The standard format for nutrition information on
food labels [21 CFR 101.9 (d)] is given in Fig. 3-1 and
consists of the following:
1. Serving size and servings per container
2. Quantitative amount per serving of each nutrient or dietary component except vitamins and
minerals
3. Amount of each nutrient, except sugars and
protein, as a percent of the Daily Value (i.e., the
new label reference values) for a 2000-Calorie
(Cal) diet
4. Footnote with Daily Values for selected nutrients based on 2000-Cal and 2500-Cal diets.

3.2.1.2 Daily Values and Serving Size

Daily Value (DV) is a generic term used to describe
two separate terms that are (1) Reference Daily Intake
(RDI) and (2) Daily Reference Value (DRV). The term
RDI is used for essential vitamins and minerals, and
the values are shown in Table 3-2. The term DRV is
used for food components (total fat, saturated fat,
cholesterol, total carbohydrate, dietary fiber, sodium,
potassium, and protein), and the values are shown in
Table 3-3. A DRV for sugar and trans fat has not been
established. The DRVs are based on a 2000 or 2500
reference Calorie intake. Nutrient content values and
percent Daily Value calculations for the nutrition label
are based on serving size. Serving size regulations of
the FDA and FSIS differ in issues such as product categories, reference amounts, and serving size for units or
pieces [21 CFR 101.12 (b), 101.9 (b); 9 CFR 317.312 (b),
381.412 (b), 317.309 (b), 381.409 (b)]. The serving size
regulations for the FDA are described in more detail
below.
For the FDA, use of the term serving or serving
size is defined in CFR 101.9(b)(1) as an amount of
food customarily consumed per eating occasion by
persons 4 years of age or older which is expressed in a
common household measure that is appropriate to the
food. Additionally, if the food is targeted for infants
or toddlers, the term serving or serving size is defined
as an amount of food customarily consumed per eating occasion by infants up to 12 months of age or by
children 1 to 3 years of age respectively. The FDA
has defined the reference amount customarily consumed per eating occasion in CFR 101.12(b) Table 3-1

3-2
table

Reference Daily Intakes (RDIs) for

Vitamins and Minerals Essential in
Human Nutrition

Nutrient

RDI

Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Calcium
Iron
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Vitamin K
Thiamin
Riboflavin
Niacin
Vitamin B6
Folate
Vitamin B12
Biotin
Pantothenic acid
Phosphorus
Iodine
Magnesium
Zinc
Selenium
Copper
Manganese
Chromium
Molybdenum
Chloride

5000 IU
60 mg
1000 mg
18 mg
400 IU
30 IU
80 g
1.5 mg
1.7 mg
20 mg
2 mg
400 g
6 g
300 g
10 mg
1,000 mg
150 g
400 mg
15 mg
70 g
2 mg
2 mg
120 g
75 g
3400 mg

From 21 CFR 101.9 (c) (8) (iv) (2009).

Values are for adults and children 4 or more years of age.
RDI values have also been established for infants, children
under 4 years of age, and pregnant and lactating women.
RDI values listed by the Food Safety and Inspection
Service [9 CFR 317.309 (c) (8) (iv); 9 CFR 381.409
(c) (8) (iv)] are as above but do not include values for
chloride, chromium, manganese, vitamin K, molybdenum,
and selenium.

3-3
table

Daily Reference Values (DRVs)

of Food Components Based on
the Reference Calorie Intake of
2000 Calories

Food Component

Fat
Saturated fatty acids
Cholesterol
Total carbohydrate
Fiber
Sodium
Potassium
Protein

DRV

65 g
20 g
300 mg
300 g
25 g
2400 mg
3500 mg
50 g

From 21 CFR 101.9 (c) (9) (2009). Same as in 9 CFR

317.309 (c) (9) and 9 CFR 381.409 (c) (9).

and Table 3-2. These data are based on national food

consumption surveys as well as the serving size used
in dietary guidance recommendations, serving sizes