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Why Are Daily Values Not Established on Some Vitamin Labels?

Labels must give ingredients in most packaged foods and supplements. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also requires that the daily value (DV) be noted on the label for certain ingredients.

  1. Label Requirements

    • The FDA requires Daily Reference Values to be listed for energy-producing nutrients, such as fats, proteins and carbohydrates, when these are present. For vitamins and minerals, the Reference Daily Intakes are based on the Recommended Dietary Allowances established in 1998 as determined by the National Academy of Sciences. These are all listed under Daily Value, or DV.

    Nutrients Without DVs

    • The ingredients labels on vitamins might include binders and flavorings, although these are not nutrients. Certain nutrients, such as lutein and CoQ10, are listed separately, without DVs. The DVs for these substances have not been established because there is no scientific agreement on how much, if any, is required. In general, experts believe that sufficient amounts of these will be included in any diet or made by the body.

    New Supplements

    • Sometimes new supplements are introduced or become popular because of certain studies or because of marketing. An example is Resveratrol. Although many claims are made for this product, there is no agreement as to whether it is beneficial. It is not required for good health, as are the micronutrients with DVs, but might have benefits as a supplement. This type of product would not have a DV.

    Required Micronutrients

    • These micronutrients are the vitamins and minerals with established DVs. Listed in the order, those included in the product are to appear on labels: vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate or folic acid, vitamin B12, biotin, pantothenic acid, phosphorus, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, chloride. If any of these substances are included in the product, the FDA requires that the percent DV be listed.

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