What Nutrients Must Be Listed on a Nutrition Label?

October 17, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Nutrition Facts label was updated in 2016 to reflect modern dietary science, making it easier for consumers to understand the link between diet and chronic disease. This overhaul changed what nutrients must be listed on a nutrition label, emphasizing new information critical for public health, such as added sugars, Vitamin D, and Potassium.

Quick Summary

The Nutrition Facts label lists mandatory nutrients like total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, and total carbohydrates. Key updates require listing added sugars, Vitamin D, and potassium, alongside dietary fiber, protein, calcium, and iron. Serving sizes are also updated to reflect current consumption habits.

Key Points

Mandatory Nutrients: Required listings include Calories, Total Fat, Saturated Fat, Trans Fat, Cholesterol, Sodium, Total Carbohydrate, Dietary Fiber, Total Sugars, Added Sugars, Protein, Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, and Potassium.
Label Updates: The 2016 FDA changes emphasize Added Sugars, Vitamin D, and Potassium, based on current public health concerns.
Serving Size Matters: All information on the label is tied to the serving size, which is updated to reflect typical consumption habits.
Added vs. Total Sugars: The new label distinguishes between naturally occurring sugars and those added during processing, a crucial detail for limiting intake.
Required vs. Voluntary: While Vitamin D and Potassium are now mandatory, Vitamins A and C are voluntary due to fewer widespread deficiencies.
Daily Value (%DV): This percentage scale helps gauge if a serving's nutrient content is high (20% or more) or low (5% or less).
Improved Design: The refreshed look with bolder fonts makes key information like calories more scannable for consumers.

Mandatory Macronutrients and Core Information

The Nutrition Facts label is a standardized panel found on packaged foods in the United States, providing a snapshot of the product's nutritional content. The information is presented based on a single serving size, and understanding these mandatory components is the first step toward making informed decisions about your diet.

Calories

At the top of the panel, the calorie count is prominently displayed in large, bold font. This number represents the total energy supplied by one serving of the food. The 2016 label updates removed the "Calories from Fat" line, as the type of fat is now considered more important than the total amount.

Total Fat, Saturated Fat, and Trans Fat

Following the calorie count, the label lists the total amount of fat, broken down into saturated and trans fats. The FDA maintains strict regulations on these, as diets high in saturated and trans fats are linked to an increased risk of heart disease. Trans fat, in particular, is a focus for reduction, and the label helps consumers identify products with little to none.

Cholesterol and Sodium

Cholesterol and sodium are also required listings, as excessive intake can increase the risk of high blood pressure and other heart-related issues. The % Daily Value (%DV) helps put these numbers into perspective, indicating whether a single serving contributes a little or a lot to your total daily intake goal.

Total Carbohydrate, Dietary Fiber, and Sugars

This section details the product's carbohydrate content, including a breakdown of dietary fiber and total sugars. One of the most significant changes in the updated label is the required listing of "Added Sugars." This helps consumers differentiate between sugars that are naturally present in foods like fruit and milk and those that are added during processing.

Essential Micronutrients: Vitamins and Minerals

Why the Change?

Recent public health data revealed that many Americans do not get enough of certain vitamins and minerals from their diet. In response, the FDA mandated that specific vitamins and minerals be included on the label, while others became voluntary.

Mandatory Vitamins and Minerals

The updated label requires the listing of Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, and Potassium. For these nutrients, manufacturers must declare both the actual amount (in milligrams or micrograms) and the % Daily Value.

Voluntary Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins A and C, which were previously required, are now voluntary, as deficiencies are less common in the general population. Manufacturers can choose to list other vitamins and minerals, but they are not obligated to do so unless they make a specific claim about them.

Comparison: Old Label vs. New Label Requirements


Feature	Old Nutrition Facts Label	New Nutrition Facts Label
Design	Often lacked prominence for key information like calories.	Refreshed design with larger, bolder font for calories and serving size.
Serving Size	Based on recommendations from 1993, often smaller than typical consumption.	Reflects more realistic serving sizes based on current consumption habits.
Calories from Fat	A required line item, focusing on the total quantity of fat.	Removed, focusing instead on the type of fat, which is more important.
Added Sugars	Not separately listed, included in "Total Sugars".	Required, showing both the gram amount and % Daily Value.
Required Micronutrients	Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium, and Iron.	Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, and Potassium.
Actual Amount	Not required for vitamins and minerals, only % Daily Value.	Mandatory for Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, and Potassium.
Footnote	Included a detailed explanation of daily values for a 2,000 and 2,500-calorie diet.	Simpler, clearer explanation of % Daily Value, based on 2,000 calories.

How to Interpret the Updated Nutrition Label

Start with the Serving Size

All the nutrient information is based on the serving size listed at the top. Be mindful of how many servings you consume, as this will affect your total intake of calories and nutrients. For example, if you eat two servings, you must double all the listed values.

Use % Daily Value as a Guide

The % Daily Value (%DV) helps you understand how a food fits into your overall diet. As a general rule, 5% DV or less is considered low for a nutrient, while 20% DV or more is considered high. Aim for a higher %DV for nutrients you want more of (like dietary fiber, Vitamin D, and potassium) and a lower %DV for those you want to limit (like saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars).

Scrutinize the Added Sugars

The separate line for added sugars is a critical tool for health-conscious consumers. Many organizations recommend limiting intake of added sugars to less than 10% of total daily calories. By comparing the grams of added sugar to the total sugars, you can better understand where a product's sweetness comes from.

Pay Attention to Fortification

Keep in mind that if a food is fortified or enriched with an optional nutrient (like Vitamin A or Vitamin C), the manufacturer is required to list it. This can help you find products that provide an extra nutritional boost.

Conclusion

Understanding what nutrients must be listed on a nutrition label is essential for making healthier food choices. The FDA's updated requirements, including the prominent display of calories, separate listing of added sugars, and mandatory declaration of Vitamin D and Potassium, provide consumers with more relevant information. By taking a few moments to properly interpret the updated Nutrition Facts panel, you can gain better control over your dietary health, manage intake of fats and sodium, and ensure you're getting enough essential vitamins and minerals. The label is a powerful tool designed to guide you toward a more balanced and nutritious diet for long-term wellness.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most significant changes are the prominent display of calories, a clearer serving size, the separate listing of 'Added Sugars,' and the mandatory inclusion of Vitamin D and Potassium, replacing Vitamins A and C.

The FDA mandated the listing of added sugars to help consumers easily track their intake, as high consumption is linked to health issues like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Dietary guidelines recommend limiting calories from added sugars.

These nutrients were added because Americans often do not get enough of them in their diet. Vitamin D is important for bone health, while potassium helps lower blood pressure. Their inclusion helps consumers increase their intake of these beneficial nutrients.

Vitamins A and C are no longer mandatory because deficiencies in these vitamins are now relatively rare in the general population. Manufacturers can still voluntarily list them if they choose.

The updated serving sizes are based on realistic consumption habits, so they may be larger or smaller than before. It's crucial to consider how many servings you actually consume, as all nutritional values scale accordingly.

Use the %DV as a quick guide. For nutrients you want to limit (like saturated fat and sodium), aim for a %DV of 5% or less. For nutrients you want to increase (like fiber, Vitamin D, and potassium), look for a %DV of 20% or more.

If a manufacturer adds an optional nutrient, such as Vitamin A or a B vitamin, they are required to declare it on the label. This is often seen in fortified products.