Nutrition Q & A
What Does the Percent Daily Value Mean on the Food Label?
Daily values (DV) are the percent of a nutrient that is provided by a serving of the food you are choosing and are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Here is an example of a few items from a food label:
- Total Fat: 12 grams → 18% DV
- Cholesterol: 30 mg → 10% DV
- Carbohydrates: 31 g → 10% DV
If you eat a serving of this food, you will consume 18% of your fat needs, 10% of your cholesterol needs and 10% of your carbohydrate needs. Depending on your personal calorie needs, you may need more or less than 100% DV.
Learn More About This Topic
The Basics of the Nutrition Facts Panel