What Is a Nutrition Label? Definition, Parts, and Legal Requirements

Nutrition label definition

A nutrition label — formally the Nutrition Facts panel in the United States — is a regulated summary of the nutrient content of a food, per serving, with reference to daily intake (%DV). It lets consumers compare products and helps regulators enforce labeling law.

Required parts of a US nutrition label

| Part | What it shows | |------|----------------| | Serving size | Amount customarily consumed (RACC-based) | | Servings per container | Package math | | Calories | Energy per serving | | Nutrients | Fat, sodium, carbs, protein, etc. | | % Daily Value | Context vs 2,000 kcal reference diet | | Footnote | “%DV tells you how much…” |

Mandatory nutrients and formats depend on package size and product category (see FDA requirements guide).

Nutrition Facts vs other label types

| Label type | Used for | |------------|----------| | Nutrition Facts | Conventional food (21 CFR 101.9) | | Supplement Facts | Dietary supplements (21 CFR 101.36) | | Front-of-package icons | Optional shopper shortcuts (evolving FDA policy) | | Ingredient list | All ingredients, descending by weight |

Who must use a nutrition label?

Most prepackaged foods sold in US interstate commerce need a Nutrition Facts panel. Exemptions exist for small businesses, certain bulk items, and specific categories — see foods exempt from labeling.

How labels are calculated

1. List ingredients by weight in a recipe.
2. Sum nutrients from a database (USDA SR Legacy, branded data, or lab analysis).
3. Apply rounding rules and RACC serving size.
4. Format per FDA vertical or tabular layout.

Tools like NutriSpec automate steps 2–4. For hands-on learning, try the how-to guide or blank template walkthrough.

Related: Recipe nutrition calculator · RACC serving size guide