Which of the following pieces of information are commonly included on nutrition labels?

January 1, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), recent updates to the Nutrition Facts label have made key information like serving size and added sugars more prominent for consumers. Understanding this detailed information is crucial for making informed dietary choices that support overall health and wellness.

Quick Summary

Nutrition labels contain vital details such as serving size, calories, total fat, saturated fat, sodium, carbohydrates, and protein, alongside a % Daily Value and the full ingredients list.

Key Points

Serving Size is Found First: All nutritional values on the label are based on the stated serving size, not necessarily the entire package.
Check for Nutrients to Limit: Pay attention to saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars, aiming for a lower % Daily Value.
Seek Out Beneficial Nutrients: Look for a higher % Daily Value for nutrients like dietary fiber, Vitamin D, calcium, and potassium.
Ingredients Are Listed by Weight: The ingredient that contributes the most to the food's weight is listed first in the ingredients list.
Major Allergens are Clearly Stated: A special section or formatting is used to highlight major food allergens, which is crucial for individuals with sensitivities.

The modern nutrition label, or Nutrition Facts panel, is a standardized tool designed to help consumers make knowledgeable decisions about the packaged foods they purchase. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates what information must be included and how it is presented. This standardization allows for easy comparison between similar products.

The Core Components of a Nutrition Label

Serving Information

At the very top of the label, you will find the serving information, presented in a larger, bolder font for clarity. This section details two key pieces of information:

Serving Size: This is a standardized amount of food, often given in common measurements like cups, pieces, or grams, that reflects what people typically eat or drink at one time. It is not a recommendation for how much you should eat.
Servings Per Container: This indicates the total number of servings within the entire package. It's important to remember that all the nutrient amounts listed on the label refer to a single serving. If you consume multiple servings, you must multiply the values accordingly.

Calories

Calories, also displayed prominently, measure the amount of energy provided by one serving of the food. This is a critical piece of information for managing weight and balancing energy intake with expenditure.

Macronutrients and Related Components

The main body of the label lists the key macronutrients and other related components. These are often divided into two groups: those you should generally limit and those you should aim to consume in adequate amounts.

Fats: Total Fat, Saturated Fat, and Trans Fat are all listed. It is recommended to limit saturated and trans fats, which can increase the risk of heart disease.
Cholesterol: The amount of cholesterol per serving is also required.
Sodium: Found in many processed foods, sodium is a nutrient most people should limit. High sodium intake is linked to high blood pressure.
Carbohydrates: This section includes Total Carbohydrate, Dietary Fiber, Total Sugars, and Added Sugars.
- Dietary Fiber: Often listed as a nutrient to get more of, fiber supports digestive and heart health.
- Added Sugars: This metric, added in recent label revisions, differentiates between naturally occurring sugars and those added during processing. It is recommended to limit your intake of added sugars to less than 10% of your daily calories.
Protein: Protein is a vital nutrient for growth and repair. It is typically not a public health concern for most adults, so the % Daily Value is not always listed.

Micronutrients

The label also lists essential vitamins and minerals. The FDA mandates the listing of Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, and Potassium, as Americans generally do not get enough of these nutrients. Other vitamins and minerals may be listed voluntarily by manufacturers.

The Percent Daily Value (%DV)

This column simplifies nutritional information by providing a quick reference for how much a nutrient in a single serving contributes to a total daily diet. The %DV is based on a standard 2,000-calorie diet, though individual needs may vary. A general guideline is:

5% DV or less is considered low in that nutrient.
20% DV or more is considered high in that nutrient.

The Ingredients List and Allergens

In addition to the Nutrition Facts panel, every packaged food product must include an ingredients list, which provides a comprehensive rundown of every component used.

Order of Ingredients: The ingredients are listed in descending order by weight, meaning the first ingredient makes up the largest proportion of the product.
Allergen Disclosure: The FDA mandates that major food allergens are clearly identified and declared. As of 2023, there are nine major food allergens in the U.S. that must be explicitly listed: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame. This is vital for those with food sensitivities and allergies.

Comparing Nutrition Labels: An Example

To illustrate how these components work together, consider comparing two hypothetical versions of a product, like breakfast cereal. By focusing on the serving size and key nutrients like added sugar and fiber, you can make a more informed choice.


Feature	Cereal A (Serving Size: 1 cup)	Cereal B (Serving Size: 1 cup)
Calories	200	160
Saturated Fat	1g (5% DV)	0.5g (3% DV)
Added Sugars	15g	5g
Dietary Fiber	2g (7% DV)	8g (29% DV)
Ingredients	Whole-grain oats, sugar, corn syrup, salt...	Whole-grain oats, oat bran, dried fruit, nuts...

In this comparison, Cereal B is the clearer choice for someone looking to reduce added sugar and increase fiber intake. It offers significantly more fiber per serving with less added sugar and fewer calories, based on the same serving size.

Conclusion

Nutrition labels are powerful tools for managing your diet and health. By understanding the common pieces of information—serving size, calories, the breakdown of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, the Percent Daily Value, and the ingredients list—you can confidently navigate the grocery store aisles. Being able to correctly interpret these details empowers you to choose foods that align with your personal health goals. For more details on the U.S. Nutrition Facts label, consult the official FDA guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

While all information is important, the most critical components for most consumers are serving size, calories, added sugars, sodium, and saturated fat, as these directly impact daily dietary intake and overall health goals.

Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight. The item that makes up the greatest portion of the food is listed first, while the smallest ingredient is last.

The Percent Daily Value (%DV) indicates how much a single serving of the food contributes to your daily recommended intake for a particular nutrient, based on a 2,000-calorie diet. A %DV of 20% or more is considered high, while 5% or less is low.

The FDA added the 'Added Sugars' line to distinguish between sugars naturally found in foods (like milk and fruit) and those added during processing. This helps consumers limit their intake of unnecessary added sweeteners.

Most prepared and packaged foods, such as bread, cereals, and snacks, are required to have a nutrition label in the U.S.. However, nutrition labeling for raw produce and fish is voluntary.

Dual-column labels are used for products that contain more than one serving but could reasonably be eaten in one sitting. They show the nutritional information for both a single serving and for the entire package.

If you eat more than one serving, you must multiply the values on the nutrition label by the number of servings you consumed. For example, if you eat two servings of a product with 200 calories per serving, your total calorie intake would be 400.