What is the Daily Value and why are nutrients now expressed in the % Daily Value?
The Daily Values comprise two sets of dietary standards: the reference standards for fat, saturated and trans fat, cholesterol, carbohydrate, fibre, sodium and potassium [B.01.001(2)] and Recommended Daily Intakes for vitamins and mineral nutrients (Part D of the Food and Drug Regulations, Table I to Division 1, and Table I to Division 2). The % Daily Value shows the percent (or how much) of the reference Daily Value of a nutrient in the stated serving of food. By using the % Daily Value, consumers can tell if this amount is high or low. For example, by looking at a product with 2 mg of iron and 10 g of fat, per stated label serving and a % DV of about 15% for both nutrients consumers can tell that both values are relatively high.
