FDA Nutrition Facts rounding rules, in one table
The numbers on a Nutrition Facts label are rounded to specific steps set out in 21 CFR 101.9(c). Getting these wrong is one of the most common label mistakes. Here they are in one place.
| Nutrient | How to round | Small amounts |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | Nearest 5 calories up to and including 50; nearest 10 above 50 | Under 5 calories may be shown as 0 |
| Total fat | Nearest 0.5 g below 5 g; nearest 1 g above 5 g | Under 0.5 g is shown as 0 |
| Saturated fat | Same as total fat | Under 0.5 g is shown as 0 |
| Trans fat | Same as total fat | Under 0.5 g is shown as 0 |
| Cholesterol | Nearest 5 mg | Under 2 mg may be shown as 0; 2 to 5 mg may be shown as "less than 5 mg" |
| Sodium | Nearest 5 mg from 5 to 140 mg; nearest 10 mg above 140 mg | Under 5 mg is shown as 0 |
| Total carbohydrate | Nearest 1 g | Under 1 g may be "less than 1g"; under 0.5 g may be 0 |
| Dietary fiber | Nearest 1 g | Under 1 g may be "less than 1g" (or omitted); under 0.5 g may be 0 |
| Total sugars | Nearest 1 g | Under 1 g may be "less than 1g"; under 0.5 g may be 0 |
| Added sugars | Nearest 1 g | Under 1 g may be "less than 1g"; under 0.5 g may be 0 |
| Protein | Nearest 1 g | Under 1 g may be "less than 1g"; under 0.5 g may be 0 |
% Daily Value
For fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrate, fiber and added sugars, the percentage is the amount per serving divided by the Daily Value, shown as a whole number. The regulation allows either the rounded label amount or the actual amount before rounding as the starting point. The Daily Values for a 2,000-calorie diet are:
| Nutrient | Daily Value |
|---|---|
| Total fat | 78 g |
| Saturated fat | 20 g |
| Cholesterol | 300 mg |
| Sodium | 2,300 mg |
| Total carbohydrate | 275 g |
| Dietary fiber | 28 g |
| Added sugars | 50 g |
| Protein | 50 g |
Vitamins and minerals
Vitamin D, calcium, iron and potassium use different percentage steps, under 21 CFR 101.9(c)(8)(iii):
- Nearest 2% up to and including 10%
- Nearest 5% above 10% up to and including 50%
- Nearest 10% above 50%
- Under 2% may be shown as 0, or with an asterisk and footnote
So a mineral at 7% of its Daily Value prints as 8%, and one at 13% prints as 15%. A label showing "Iron 7%" is a sign the rounding wasn't applied.
Common mistakes
- Rounding calories from rounded fat, carbs and protein. Calculate calories from the actual amounts, then round the result.
- Leaving out "Includes Xg Added Sugars". It is required on the 2016 format, along with its % Daily Value.
- Using the old Daily Values. Several changed with the 2016 update, for example sodium is now 2,300 mg and fiber 28 g.
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