How to Read Supplement Facts Label

Take a good look at the sample label below. It will help you become more familiar with the basic information on a supplement label.

Service Size indicates the manufacturer's suggested amount of the product expressed in the appropriate unit (tablet, capsule, softgel, packet, teaspoonful).

Bolded ingredients list the amount per serving, followed by their nutritional components. For example, Fish Oil Concentrate is detailed by omega-3 fatty acids, including EPA and DHA. This helps you assess the potency and nutrient content of the ingredient.

“as …” indicates the specific form of the nutrient. Different forms can affect absorption and side effects. For example, “Niacin (as niacinamide)” means niacin is provided as niacinamide, a form that doesn't cause skin flushing.

Other Ingredients lists inactive ingredients used to form tablets, such as fillers, binders, and preservatives.

Warnings section informs on food allergies, medication interactions, known adverse reactions and recommended storage.

Supplement Facts

Serving Size: 2 Tablets

Servings per Container: 30

	Amount Per Serving	% Daily Value
Calories	20 kcal
Total Fat	2 g	3%
Omega-3 Fish Oil Concentrate	2 g	*
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)	1 g	*
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)	1 g	*
Vitamin A (as beta carotene)	600 mcg RAE	67%
Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid)	100 mg	111%
Vitamin E (as d-alpha tocopherol from sunflower seed oil)	20 mg	133%
Vitamin K (as phytonadione)	120 mcg	100%
Thiamin (as thiamine hydrochloride)	1.5 mg	125%
Niacin (as niacinamide)	20 mg NE	125%
Vitamin K2 (menaquinone-7 with cabbage)	40 mcg	*
Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxal-5-phosphate)	6 mg	353%
Zinc (as zinc bisglycinate)	15 mg	136%
Copper (as fermented copper bisglycinate)	200 mcg	22%
Food Blend (Organic brown rice, organic orange, carrot, organic broccoli head, cabbage head)	315 mg	*

Other Ingredients: Ferment media (organic brown rice, autolyzed yeast extract, rice protein, yeast [inactive]), rice protein, silicon dioxide, stearic acid, gum acacia, autolyzed yeast extract, hypromellose.

*Daily value not established.

Warnings Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under six. Keep this product out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately. Biotin is an important nutrient. Biotin may interfere with lab tests. If you are taking medication or planning to undergo lab testing, consult with your doctor before use. Store tightly sealed in a cool place and avoid exposure to moisture. Once open, consume within three months. Do not use if seal under cap is broken or missing.

Note: Fictional product for illustration purposes only.

% Daily Value (DV) tells what percentage of the recommended daily intake (for adults and children ages 4 and up) is provided by the supplement.

Found only on supplements with fats (e.g., fish oil), calories shows the calories per serving, fat types (saturated, polyunsaturated, monounsaturated, trans fats) and cholesterol content.

“from …” indicates the source of the nutrient in the supplement. This helps identify where the nutrient is derived from.

An asterisk (*) under the % “Daily Value” heading often indicates that a Daily Value is not established.

Some products list only the total amount of a proprietary blend, not the specific amounts or ratios of each ingredient. Manufacturers must list the ingredients but not their exact quantities.

Daily Value vs. % Daily Value

Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume or not exceed each day. The Percent Daily Value (%DV) shows how much a nutrient in a single serving of food or a dietary supplement contributes to your daily diet.

For example, if the DV for a nutrient is 300 micrograms (mcg) and a food or supplement provides 30 mcg per serving, the %DV for that nutrient is 10%. This means that one serving provides 10% of your daily requirement for that nutrient. You would need to consume other foods or supplements to meet the remaining 90%.