Understanding What are 6 Parts of a Food Label? A Guide to Informed Nutrition

October 13, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the FDA, the updated Nutrition Facts label became mandatory for most manufacturers in 2021, emphasizing transparency. This change helps consumers understand what are 6 parts of a food label? to make healthier choices and manage dietary needs more effectively.

Quick Summary

A food label is a key tool for making healthy dietary decisions. Understanding its components, such as serving information, calories, key nutrients to limit or increase, and percent daily value, can significantly improve your nutritional intake. The ingredient list also provides crucial information, especially for those with allergies.

Key Points

Serving Size: Always check the serving size first, as all other nutritional data is based on it, including calories and nutrients.
Calories: The number of calories measures the energy in a single serving and is a key factor in weight management; be mindful of how many servings you consume.
Key Nutrients: Focus on limiting saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars, while seeking beneficial nutrients like fiber, Vitamin D, and potassium.
Added Sugars: The label clearly distinguishes between naturally occurring sugars and those added by the manufacturer, guiding you to make better choices.
Percent Daily Value (%DV): Use this percentage as a shortcut to determine if a food is high or low in a particular nutrient (5% is low, 20% is high).
Ingredients List: Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight, allowing you to identify allergens and better assess the quality and composition of the product.

Demystifying the Nutrition Facts Label

For many people, the nutrition facts panel on packaged foods can feel overwhelming, a dense block of numbers and percentages. However, mastering what are 6 parts of a food label? is a crucial step toward taking control of your dietary health. By breaking down the label into manageable, distinct sections, it becomes a powerful tool for comparing products, managing chronic conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes, and ensuring you get the nutrients your body needs.

1. Serving Information

The serving size and servings per container are typically the first details found on a Nutrition Facts label. The serving size indicates a standard amount of food, often given in common measurements and grams, and serves as the basis for all other nutritional values on the label. The number of servings in the package is also listed, which is important for accurately calculating total intake if consuming more than one serving. Keep in mind that the serving size listed may not reflect a typical portion size consumed.

2. Calories

The calorie count, representing the energy provided per serving, is prominently displayed. Calorie needs vary based on individual factors like age, sex, and activity level, but the label uses a 2,000-calorie daily diet as a general reference. Managing calorie intake is essential for weight control.

3. Key Nutrients: A Breakdown

Food labels list various nutrients to help consumers make informed decisions. This includes nutrients to limit, such as saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars, which can negatively impact health. Conversely, the label highlights nutrients to encourage, like dietary fiber, vitamin D, calcium, and potassium, which are often under-consumed. The ingredient list provides further detail on the composition of the food, ordered by weight.

4. Added Sugars

Added sugars are now specifically itemized on the label, separate from naturally occurring sugars found in foods like fruits and milk. High intake of added sugars can make it challenging to meet nutrient requirements within recommended calorie limits. Checking the added sugars helps identify extra sweeteners used during processing.

5. Percent Daily Value (%DV)

The Percent Daily Value (%DV) indicates how one serving contributes to a 2,000-calorie daily diet. It acts as a quick reference: 5% DV or less is considered low for a nutrient, while 20% DV or more is considered high. This tool aids in comparing products and choosing foods that align with dietary goals, aiming for lower %DV for nutrients to limit and higher %DV for nutrients to increase.

6. Ingredients List

The ingredients list details all components of the food, ordered by weight with the most abundant ingredient listed first. This section is critical for identifying allergens, which are typically highlighted. It also helps in uncovering less healthy components like various forms of added sugars or fats. The ingredients list offers transparency beyond the numerical data on the nutrition panel.

Comparison of Label Sections


Label Section	Primary Purpose	Key Benefit	Watch Out For
Serving Information	Defines the reference amount and package contents.	Helps accurately count calories and nutrients.	Manufacturers may use unrealistically small serving sizes.
Calories	Measures energy content per serving.	Provides a quick look at energy contribution.	The total package may contain multiple servings.
Key Nutrients	Details fat, carbs, protein, and more.	Guides choices for specific dietary goals.	Some beneficial nutrients might be missing from the list.
Added Sugars	Identifies sugars not naturally present.	Crucial for limiting sugar intake.	Can be listed under different names in ingredients.
% Daily Value (%DV)	Shows contribution to a daily diet.	Allows for quick comparison of nutrients.	Based on a standard 2,000-calorie diet, not individual needs.
Ingredients List	Lists all components in order of weight.	Identifies allergens and overall food quality.	Lengthy or complex names may obscure less healthy ingredients.

Using the Label for Smarter Choices

Learning to read the six parts of a food label empowers you to make smarter, healthier food choices. By focusing on the serving size, calorie count, key nutrients, and ingredients, you can choose foods that better align with your health goals. Always remember that a balanced diet also includes fresh, unprocessed foods that don't even have a label, such as fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. {Link: FDA website https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-facts-label/how-understand-and-use-nutrition-facts-label} for more information on FDA regulations and label updates. The food label is more than just a list of data; it's a nutritional road map.

Conclusion

By understanding the serving information, calories, key nutrients, added sugars, percent daily value, and the ingredients list, you can decode the information and use it to your advantage. This knowledge helps you navigate the grocery store aisles with confidence, compare similar products effectively, and build a more informed and balanced diet for yourself and your family. Making smarter decisions starts with reading the fine print.

How to read the six parts of a food label:

Serving Information: Always check the serving size first, as it dictates the values for all other nutrients and calories listed on the panel. Also note the number of servings per container to calculate total intake if you eat more than one serving.
Calories: Pay attention to the calorie count per serving to help manage your overall energy intake.
Key Nutrients: Focus on limiting nutrients like saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars, while seeking higher levels of beneficial nutrients such as dietary fiber, vitamin D, calcium, and potassium.
Added Sugars: Read the 'includes Added Sugars' line to distinguish between natural sugars and those added during processing, helping to make healthier choices for managing sugar intake.
Percent Daily Value (%DV): Use the %DV as a quick guide to compare foods. Aim for 5% DV or less for nutrients to limit and 20% DV or more for nutrients to increase.
Ingredients List: Scan the ingredients, listed by weight, to identify allergens, less healthy fats and sugars, and the overall quality of the product.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most important part to check first is the serving information, which includes the serving size and servings per container. This puts all other nutrition information into the correct context.

You can use the Percent Daily Value (%DV). A %DV of 5% or less is considered low, while a %DV of 20% or more is considered high. This rule applies to most nutrients, helping you compare products quickly.

Total Sugars include both sugars naturally present in the food (like in milk or fruit) and any added sugars. Added Sugars are sweeteners, syrups, and honey added during processing or packaging.

Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight. The ingredient that makes up the largest proportion of the food by weight is listed first, while the ingredient with the smallest proportion is last.

No, the %DV is a general guide based on a 2,000-calorie diet and is not tailored to individual needs. Your personal calorie and nutrient requirements may be higher or lower depending on factors like age, sex, and activity level.

Major food allergens like milk, wheat, or soy must be clearly listed and emphasized within the ingredients list. This is often done by using bold text or a different font.

To limit unhealthy nutrients, look for a low %DV (5% or less) for saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars. Also, read the ingredients list to identify high-fat or high-sugar items listed near the beginning.