Percent daily value
Important notice: The information on this web page is under review.
The percent daily value (% DV) found in a nutrition facts table can help you make informed food choices. Learn how to use % DV to choose healthier foods.
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About percent daily value
The % DV is found on the right-hand side of a nutrition facts table. It is a guide to help you make informed food choices. It shows you if the serving size has a little or a lot of a nutrient:
- 5% DV or less is a little
- 15% DV or more is a lot
This applies to all nutrients with a % DV.
The % DV is not meant to track the total amount of nutrients you have had for the day. This is because some of the foods you eat do not have a nutrition facts table, such as:
- fresh vegetables and fruit
- raw meat and poultry (except when it is ground)
- raw seafood
The % DV for the following nutrients must be listed in the nutrition facts table:
Listing the % DV for cholesterol is optional.
Some other vitamins and minerals that do not have to be listed in the nutrition facts table include:
- folate
- magnesium
- niacin
- phosphorus
- potassium
- riboflavin
- selenium
- thiamine
- vitamin B12
- vitamin B6
- vitamin D
- vitamin E
- zinc
However, when they are listed in the nutrition facts table, the amount is included as a % DV.
How to use percent daily value
Use % DV to compare 2 different food products to help you make an informed food choice.
You can use % DV to choose products that are higher in the nutrients you may want more of:
- fibre
- vitamin A
- calcium
- iron
You can also choose products that are lower in the nutrients you may want less of:
- saturated and trans fats
- sodium
How percent daily value is calculated
Many of the nutrient amounts in the nutrition facts table are shown using % DV.
The current daily values in Canada are based on 2 sets of values. These include the:
- recommended daily intake (RDI) for vitamins and minerals
- reference standards for:
- fat
- saturated and trans fats
- cholesterol
- carbohydrate
- fibre
- potassium
- sodium
The % DV for a nutrient is calculated by:
- dividing the amount of a nutrient in a serving size by its daily value, then
- multiplying that number by 100
For example, a food product has 3 mg of iron. The daily value for iron is 14 mg. This means that the % DV for iron would be 21%.
If you would like to do your own calculation, use the equation below to help you.
(3 mg ÷ 14 mg) × 100 = 21% DV
Nutrient | Daily Value (DV) |
---|---|
Fat | 65 g |
Saturated and trans fats | 20 g |
Cholesterol | 300 mg |
Sodium | 2400 mg |
Carbohydrate | 300 g |
Fibre | 25 g |
Sugars | no DV |
Protein | no DV |
Vitamin A | 1000 RE |
Vitamin C | 60 mg |
Calcium | 1100 mg |
Iron | 14 mg |
Note: RE = retinol equivalents |
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