How is percent daily value (%DV) determined and who uses it?

• A. %DV shows the nutrient's toxicity threshold.
• B. %DV compares a serving's nutrient amount to the daily recommended amount for a 2,000-calorie diet; used by consumers to gauge nutrient adequacy.
• C. %DV is based on individual BMI.
• D. %DV is the same as daily intake recommended for athletes.

Answer: (B)

Percent Daily Value shows how much of a nutrient a serving provides relative to the daily amount recommended for an average person on a 2,000-calorie diet. It’s determined by taking the amount of the nutrient in one serving, dividing it by that nutrient’s Daily Value, and multiplying by 100. Those Daily Values are standardized reference amounts set by regulatory authorities to reflect general guidelines, not personalized to BMI or athletic status. This labeling is mainly for consumers to quickly judge whether a food contributes a lot or a little toward daily nutrient goals and to compare products at a glance. It’s not a toxicity threshold, nor is it a reflection of an individual’s exact daily needs for athletes.