What Is Daily Value?
The recommended daily intake of a nutrient, established by the FDA for use on food and supplement labels. DVs are used to calculate '% Daily Value' on Supplement Facts panels and help consumers understand how a supplement contributes to their overall nutrient intake.
Why It Matters for Supplement Brands
Daily Values determine what appears on your Supplement Facts panel and influence how consumers perceive your product's potency. Getting DV percentages right is a basic labelling compliance requirement — and getting clinically effective doses right (which may differ from the DV) is a substantiation requirement.
How It Works
The FDA sets Daily Values based on scientific consensus on adequate intake levels:
1. **Vitamins and minerals**: Have established DVs (e.g., Vitamin C = 90 mg, Vitamin D = 20 mcg). 2. **Other ingredients**: Many supplement ingredients (herbs, amino acids, specialty nutrients) do not have established DVs — these are listed with a '†' symbol meaning 'Daily Value not established'. 3. **Updated reference values**: The FDA updated DVs in 2016 (effective 2020/2021), and all labels must now use the updated values.
The DV is not the same as the optimal or therapeutic dose. Clinical studies often use doses significantly above or below the DV, depending on the health endpoint being studied.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Confusing Daily Value with the clinically effective dose — they are often very different
- ✗Using outdated DVs on labels (pre-2016 reference amounts)
- ✗Not including the '†' symbol for ingredients without established DVs
- ✗Listing '% DV' for ingredients that don't have an established Daily Value
Related Terms
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