FDA Daily Values: RDI vs DRV

Overview

This guide focuses specifically on United States of America implementation of recommended daily intakes through FDA regulations. For a broader understanding of the universal concept of recommended intakes across different countries, see Recommended Daily Intakes.

US-Specific Context

The "% Daily Value" on US nutrition labels represents a percentage based on two distinct FDA standards:

• RDI (Reference Daily Intake): For vitamins and minerals (29 micronutrients)
• DRV (Daily Reference Value): For macronutrients and food components (8 nutrients)

Together, these standards form what consumers know as "Daily Values" (DV).

Understanding the distinction between RDI and DRV matters for:

• Regulatory Compliance: Accurate nutrition labeling requirements under FDA regulations
• Consumer Education: Helping people interpret US nutrition labels correctly
• Product Development: Reformulating products to meet nutritional goals for the US market

Understanding Daily Values

What is % Daily Value?

The % Daily Value (%DV) indicates the contribution of a nutrient in a serving of food to a total daily diet. The FDA bases these calculations on a 2,000 calorie reference diet for adults and children 4 years and older.

%DV Interpretation Guidelines:

• 5% DV or less = Low in that nutrient
• 20% DV or more = High in that nutrient

Nutrients to limit (saturated fat, sodium, added sugars) should have lower %DV values. Nutrients to increase (fiber, calcium, vitamin D) should have higher %DV values.

RDI (Reference Daily Intake)

RDI represents the daily intake level of essential vitamins and minerals. These are micronutrients the body requires in small amounts but cannot produce independently.

• Applies to: 29 micronutrients (vitamins and minerals)
• Regulatory source: 21 CFR § 101.9(c)(8)(iv) - Table 1

Complete RDI Table (Adults & Children ≥4 years)

DRV (Daily Reference Value)

DRV represents the daily intake level of macronutrients and food components that provide energy or affect chronic disease risk.

• Applies to: 8 macronutrients and food components
• Regulatory source: 21 CFR § 101.9(c)(9) - Table 2
• Based on: 2,000 calorie diet

Complete DRV Table

FDA Demographics

The FDA defines 4 demographic groups for nutrition labeling purposes under 21 CFR § 101.9:

Platform Use Cases

Restaurant Operations

Example: Menu Item Analysis - Grilled Salmon Entrée

A salmon entrée containing 34g of protein per serving can be analyzed against Daily Value standards:

Protein in dish: 34g
DRV for protein: 50g
%DV = (34 / 50) × 100 = 68%

This dish provides 68% DV of protein, qualifying as "high in protein" (≥20% DV). Menu analysis tools enable restaurant operations to identify and highlight nutritious, protein-rich menu options.

Clinical Nutrition

Example: Patient Assessment - Calcium Intake Analysis

When patient data shows 800mg of calcium consumed daily, the platform calculates compliance against nutritional standards:

Patient's calcium intake: 800mg
RDI for calcium: 1,300mg
%DV = (800 / 1,300) × 100 = 62%

The patient is receiving 62% DV of calcium. Clinical assessment tools enable nutrition professionals to identify nutrient gaps and recommend calcium-rich foods (dairy, leafy greens, fortified foods) to achieve 100% DV or higher.

Product Development

Example: Formulation Optimization - Sodium Reduction

A soup recipe formulation containing 920mg sodium per serving can be evaluated for reduced-sodium labeling eligibility:

Current sodium: 920mg
DRV for sodium: 2,300mg
Current %DV = (920 / 2,300) × 100 = 40%

To achieve "reduced sodium" labeling (at least 25% less sodium than regular product), reformulation tools calculate target values of ≤690mg sodium (30% DV or less).

For Developers

Calculating % Daily Value

The formula for calculating %DV is straightforward:

/**
 * Calculate % Daily Value for a nutrient
 * @param nutrientAmount - Amount of nutrient in the food (mg, g, µg, etc.)
 * @param dailyValue - RDI or DRV value for that nutrient
 * @returns Percentage of daily value (unrounded)
 */
function calculatePercentDV(nutrientAmount: number, dailyValue: number): number {
  return (nutrientAmount / dailyValue) * 100;
}

// Example: Calcium calculation
const calciumInFood = 260; // mg
const calciumRDI = 1300; // mg
const calciumPercentDV = calculatePercentDV(calciumInFood, calciumRDI);
// Result: 20% DV

// Example: Protein calculation
const proteinInFood = 15; // g
const proteinDRV = 50; // g
const proteinPercentDV = calculatePercentDV(proteinInFood, proteinDRV);
// Result: 30% DV

// Example: Vitamin C calculation
const vitaminCInFood = 18; // mg
const vitaminCRDI = 90; // mg
const vitaminCPercentDV = calculatePercentDV(vitaminCInFood, vitaminCRDI);
// Result: 20% DV

Calculation Flow

TypeScript Reference

The BetterMenu frontend codebase defines percentDV in the FlowNutrient interface:

// From: packages/studio/src/lib/api/types.ts
export interface FlowNutrient {
  id: string;
  name: string;
  amount: number;
  unit: string;
  percentDV: number | null; // FDA % Daily Value
  // ... other fields
}

The UI component for displaying %DV is ready:

// From: packages/studio/src/components/recipe-analysis/nutrient-flow/
//       daily-value-badge/daily-value-badge.tsx
export function DailyValueBadge({ percentDV }: { percentDV: number | null }) {
  if (percentDV === null) return null;

  // Component renders %DV with visual indicators
  // (5% = low, 20%+ = high)
}

API Integration Points

Expected API response structure once backend implements %DV calculations:

// Future API response format
{
  "nutrients": [
    {
      "id": "calcium",
      "name": "Calcium",
      "amount": 260,
      "unit": "mg",
      "percentDV": 20, // Calculated: (260 / 1300) * 100
      "dailyValue": 1300,
      "dailyValueType": "RDI"
    },
    {
      "id": "protein",
      "name": "Protein",
      "amount": 34,
      "unit": "g",
      "percentDV": 68, // Calculated: (34 / 50) * 100
      "dailyValue": 50,
      "dailyValueType": "DRV"
    }
  ]
}

Rounding Rules

The FDA specifies rounding requirements for %DV display:

/**
 * Round %DV according to FDA regulations
 * Source: 21 CFR § 101.9(d)(7)(ii)
 */
function roundPercentDV(percentDV: number): string {
  if (percentDV === 0) {
    return "0%";
  } else if (percentDV < 2) {
    return "Less than 2%"; // or "Contains less than 2% of..."
  } else if (percentDV <= 10) {
    // Round to nearest 2%
    return `${Math.round(percentDV / 2) * 2}%`;
  } else if (percentDV <= 50) {
    // Round to nearest 5%
    return `${Math.round(percentDV / 5) * 5}%`;
  } else {
    // Round to nearest 10%
    return `${Math.round(percentDV / 10) * 10}%`;
  }
}

// Examples
roundPercentDV(1.7);  // "Less than 2%"
roundPercentDV(3.4);  // "4%" (nearest 2%)
roundPercentDV(7.8);  // "8%" (nearest 2%)
roundPercentDV(23);   // "25%" (nearest 5%)
roundPercentDV(67);   // "70%" (nearest 10%)

Regulatory Compliance

FDA Regulations Reference

The complete legal framework for Daily Values appears in the Code of Federal Regulations:

• Primary Regulation: 21 CFR § 101.9 - Nutrition labeling of food
• RDI (Table 1): 21 CFR § 101.9(c)(8)(iv)
• DRV (Table 2): 21 CFR § 101.9(c)(9)

Mandatory vs Voluntary Nutrients

FDA regulations require certain nutrients to always appear on the Nutrition Facts label, while others are voluntary unless added or claimed.

Mandatory Nutrients (Must Always Appear)

Voluntary Nutrients (Unless Added or Claimed)

All other vitamins and minerals from the RDI table are voluntary unless:

• They're added to the product (fortification)
• A nutrient content claim is made about them (e.g., "High in Vitamin C")
• The product is a dietary supplement

Example: Products fortified with Vitamin C that make a "High in Vitamin C" claim must declare Vitamin C on the label with its %DV.

International Context

Other countries have their own standards with different values and terminology:

Example of International Differences: The FDA sets calcium RDI at 1,300mg, while the EU sets it at 800mg and the UK at 700mg. These differences reflect varying scientific approaches, dietary patterns, and population needs.

For comprehensive international comparison and the universal concept behind recommended intakes, see Recommended Daily Intakes.

Related Concepts

• Nutrient - Learn about the different types of nutrients
• Nutrition Fact - How nutrients appear on food labels
• Recommended Daily Intakes - International RDI standards comparison

Official Resources

FDA Guidance Documents

• Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels - Consumer-friendly FDA explanation
• Changes to the Nutrition Facts Label - Overview of 2020 label updates
• Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know - How DVs apply to supplements

Legal References

• Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR) - Title 21, Part 101.9 - Complete regulation text
• FDA Labeling & Nutrition Guidance Documents - Industry guidance

Scientific Resources

• Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) - National Institutes of Health (NIH) scientific basis for RDIs
• Nutrient Recommendations: Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) - Complete DRI reports from the National Academies