How the labels are made
Each label starts from exact amounts for a made-up food, typical of that food in USDA FoodData Central, scaled to a serving size picked from the FDA reference amounts. Every number is then rounded by the rules in 21 CFR 101.9, and each %DV is the declared amount divided by its Daily Value. So a student who divides the grams on the label by the Daily Value gets the label’s %DV. The one exception is a “<1g” line, whose %DV comes from the exact amount, as on real labels.
Middle school sets ask about servings, the whole package, the 5% and 20% guide, comparing two foods, added sugars, sodium in grams and servings needed. High school sets add half servings, gram for gram comparisons and a label with one planted mistake to find.
| Line | Rounded to | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 0 under 5; nearest 5 up to 50; nearest 10 above 50 | |
| Total, saturated and trans fat | 0 under 0.5 g; nearest 0.5 g under 5 g; nearest gram from 5 g | |
| Cholesterol | 0 under 2 mg; “ | 0 under 2 mg; nearest 5 mg | lt;5mg” for 2 to 5 mg; nearest 5 mg
| Sodium | 0 under 5 mg; nearest 5 mg up to 140; nearest 10 mg above 140 | |
| Carbohydrate, fiber, sugars, protein | 0 under 0.5 g; “<1g” may be used under 1 g; nearest gram | |
| %DV | nearest whole percent | |
| Vitamin D, calcium, iron, potassium %DV | 0% under 2%; nearest 2% up to 10%; nearest 5% up to 50%; nearest 10% above | |
| Servings per container | nearest half between 2 and 5; nearest whole otherwise, with “about” |
Exactly halfway rounds up, so 2.5 g of carbohydrate shows as 3 g. Check it on the FDA’s own sample label: 8 g of fat ÷ 78 g is 10.3%, shown as 10%, and 160 mg of sodium ÷ 2,300 mg is 7%.
Questions
What does % Daily Value mean?
It is how much of a day’s worth of a nutrient one serving gives, based on the FDA Daily Values. The FDA’s rule of thumb: 5% DV or less of a nutrient is low, and 20% DV or more is high. Look for low in saturated fat, sodium and added sugars, and high in fiber, vitamin D, calcium, iron and potassium.
What are the Daily Values on the label?
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, vitamin D 20 mcg, calcium 1,300 mg, iron 18 mg and potassium 4,700 mg. They are based on 2,000 calories a day.
Why isn’t the Per container column just servings × the serving?
Packages holding two to three servings get a second column, worked from the exact amount in the package. A soup can of “about 2 servings” at 200 calories can show 430, since it holds about 2.15 servings. Each column is rounded on its own, so one can show 0 where the other doesn’t, like Trans Fat 0g and 1g.
Why does the label say “about 3.5 servings”?
Servings per container are rounded: to the nearest half between 2 and 5 servings, to the nearest whole number above that. When the number was rounded, the label says “about”.
Why don’t the calories match fat × 9 + carbs × 4 + protein × 4?
Calories are worked from the exact amounts, then rounded to the nearest 10 (nearest 5 at 50 or less). Fat, carbohydrate and protein are rounded separately, so redoing the math from the label lands close, within 15 calories.
How do I give my class the same labels?
Set the level, question types and count, then tap Share with class and send the link. It always opens the same set. Print the worksheet and key, or tap New set for a different version to stop answer sharing.
Is the new front-of-package nutrition box included?
No. The FDA proposed a front-of-package Nutrition Info box in January 2025, and as of October 2026 it is still a proposal. It would add a box to the front, not change the Nutrition Facts label.
An educational practice tool, not nutrition or medical advice. The foods and brands are made up. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Sources, read October 24, 2026: 21 CFR 101.9, Nutrition labeling of food (CFR edition of April 1, 2025); 21 CFR 101.12, reference amounts; FDA Food Labeling Guide, Appendix H: rounding (PDF); USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy; FDA, Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels (March 5, 2024); FDA proposed rule, Front-of-Package Nutrition Information (January 16, 2025).