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Digestive System

Metabolism and Nutrition

What information is on the Nutrition Facts Label found on most food products?

The Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 (NLEA) requires food labeling on most foods in the United States. The Nutrition Facts Label consists of two sections: the top section, which contains product-specific information (serving size, calories, and nutrient information), and the bottom section, which contains information with Daily Values (DVs) for 2,000 and 2,500 calorie diets. The nutrients listed are divided into two categories: those that should be limited in a healthy diet and those that everyone should make certain they get enough of in their diets. The percent of DV helps you determine if a serving of food is high or low in a nutrient. For each individual nutrient, the rule of thumb is that a DV of five percent or less is considered low, while a value of 20 percent or more is considered high.