What four vitamins and minerals are listed on a food label?

November 20, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the FDA, significant updates to the Nutrition Facts label now require manufacturers to include specific nutrient information to address public health concerns. This includes clarifying what four vitamins and minerals are listed on a food label and why they are so important for public health.

Quick Summary

The mandatory vitamins and minerals on the updated Nutrition Facts label are Vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium. The label details both the amount and the Percent Daily Value (%DV) for these essential nutrients. Consumers can use this information to make healthier food choices that support bone density, blood health, and blood pressure regulation.

Key Points

Mandatory Nutrients: The four required vitamins and minerals on the updated food label are Vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium.
Focus on Deficiencies: These specific nutrients were chosen because they address prevalent public health concerns like low bone density and high blood pressure.
Percentage is Key: The Percent Daily Value (%DV) helps you quickly determine if a food is a high (20% or more) or low (5% or less) source of a nutrient.
Changes from Previous Labels: The current label no longer mandates Vitamins A and C, reflecting a change in public health priorities based on recent dietary data.
Use the Label for Better Health: Understanding these four key nutrients allows consumers to make targeted food choices to improve bone strength, blood health, and blood pressure.
Other Nutrients are Optional: Other vitamins and minerals may be listed voluntarily by manufacturers, but only the four core nutrients are required by law.
Serving Size is Important: Always consider the serving size to accurately gauge your intake of vitamins and minerals from a product.

Decoding the Updated Nutrition Facts Label

With the FDA's recent changes to the Nutrition Facts panel, shoppers are seeing a new format designed to provide clearer, more relevant information. Understanding the mandatory vitamins and minerals is a critical part of making informed food choices. These nutrients are included because, as a population, Americans generally do not get enough of them, and adequate intake is vital for reducing the risk of conditions like osteoporosis, anemia, and high blood pressure.

The four required nutrients

The updated food label lists four key vitamins and minerals. For each, the label must state the specific amount in milligrams or micrograms, along with the percentage of the Daily Value (%DV) it provides per serving. The four essential nutrients are:

Vitamin D: This vitamin plays a crucial role in bone health by helping the body absorb calcium. It also supports immune function and nerve communication. Since Vitamin D deficiency is a public health concern, it was added to the mandatory list, replacing the previously required Vitamins A and C.
Calcium: A mineral essential for building and maintaining strong bones and teeth, calcium is also involved in muscle function, nerve signaling, and blood vessel circulation. Adequate calcium intake, especially when paired with Vitamin D, is crucial for preventing osteoporosis.
Iron: This mineral is necessary for producing red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, causing fatigue and weakness. The label helps consumers identify good iron sources, vital for maintaining energy and overall health.
Potassium: An important electrolyte, potassium helps regulate fluid balance and blood pressure. Since a higher intake of potassium has been linked to lower blood pressure, it was added to the label to help consumers identify foods that contribute positively to cardiovascular health.

Comparing the old vs. new food label

The updated label represents a shift in nutritional priorities. While the old label required Vitamins A and C, newer data shows that deficiencies in these areas are less common among the general population. The current label focuses on nutrients where deficiencies are more prevalent, empowering consumers to address these specific health needs.

What about other vitamins and minerals?

While only Vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium are required, food manufacturers can and often do list other vitamins and minerals voluntarily. This can include B vitamins, Vitamin E, magnesium, or zinc, especially if the product is fortified with these nutrients or makes a health claim about them. The inclusion of these additional nutrients is at the manufacturer's discretion, so their absence does not necessarily mean they are not present in the food.

How to use the information for smarter choices

When reviewing a food label, the %DV is your most useful tool. A %DV of 5% or less indicates a food is low in that nutrient, while 20% or more indicates it is high. When aiming to increase your intake of these four essential nutrients, prioritize foods with a higher %DV.

Here is a comparison table to help understand the label's values:


Feature	Old Nutrition Facts Label	New Nutrition Facts Label
Mandatory Vitamins	Vitamin A, Vitamin C	Vitamin D
Mandatory Minerals	Calcium, Iron	Calcium, Iron, Potassium
Amounts Displayed	%DV only for vitamins/minerals	Actual amount (mg/mcg) and %DV
Justification	Based on needs from the 1990s	Addresses current public health deficiencies

Conclusion

Understanding what four vitamins and minerals are listed on a food label is a straightforward process that leads to more powerful and informed food decisions. The updated label makes it easier than ever to see if a product is a good source of Vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium, nutrients that are vital for long-term health. By paying attention to these specific listings and their %DV, you can better manage your daily intake and support your overall well-being. For more detailed information on reading and understanding the Nutrition Facts label, visit the official FDA website.

More tips for interpreting the Nutrition Facts label

Remember the 5/20 Rule: Use the %DV to quickly assess if a food is a good source of a nutrient. 5% or less is low; 20% or more is high.
Prioritize Nutrients to Get More Of: For Vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium, you should aim for higher %DV values to boost your daily intake.
Know What to Limit: Conversely, be mindful of nutrients like sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars, and aim for lower %DV.
Serving Size Matters: The nutrient values are calculated per serving. Always check how many servings are in the package to accurately assess your intake.
Read the Footnote: The new footnote clearly explains the %DV based on a 2,000-calorie diet, helping you understand the context of the nutrient information.
Look Beyond the Mandatory: While only four nutrients are required, check for other beneficial vitamins or minerals that may be voluntarily listed by the manufacturer, especially in fortified products.
Understand 'Added Sugars': The label now also includes 'Added Sugars' separately, which is an important metric for managing overall sugar consumption.

Bonus Insight: The shift to include Vitamin D and Potassium on the mandatory list reflects a significant public health effort to address widespread nutrient gaps in the American diet, making it a powerful tool for consumer education.

Frequently Asked Questions

Vitamins A and C are no longer required because dietary deficiencies for these vitamins are now relatively rare in the American population. The FDA updated the labels to highlight nutrients that are more commonly under-consumed, such as Vitamin D and potassium.

The %DV indicates how much a single serving of a food contributes to your total daily intake for that nutrient, based on a 2,000-calorie diet. A %DV of 20% or higher is considered a high source of that nutrient.

To make healthier choices, look for foods with a high %DV (20% or more) for Vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium to boost your intake. Conversely, look for lower %DV (5% or less) for nutrients like sodium and saturated fat.

Vitamin D is included because it is essential for the body to properly absorb calcium, which is crucial for building and maintaining strong bones. Widespread deficiency concerns led to its mandatory inclusion.

Potassium is an important electrolyte that helps regulate fluid balance and blood pressure. Its inclusion helps consumers identify foods that can help manage and maintain healthy blood pressure levels.

Yes, as part of the updated regulations, the label must now declare the actual amount in milligrams (mg) or micrograms (mcg), in addition to the %DV, for Vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium.

Yes, manufacturers can voluntarily list other vitamins and minerals. They are also required to list any that are added to the food for fortification or if they make a health claim about them.