Elements within the Nutrition Facts table
Vitamins and mineral nutrients
The manner of determination of the vitamin content of a food, other than a formulated liquid diet, a human milk substitute or a food represented as containing a human milk substitute, is prescribed in section D.01.003 of the FDR.
Declarations of vitamins and mineral nutrients in the Nutrition Facts table are based on the combined total of both the naturally occurring nutrient content and any added nutrient content of a food. Vitamins and mineral nutrients are declared as total amounts and percentages of the daily value per serving of stated size [tables following B.01.401 and B.01.402, FDR].
Only those vitamins and mineral nutrients that are included in the tables Core nutrition information and Additional nutrition information are permitted to be included in the Nutrition Facts table.
Refer to Formulated liquid diets and Infant formula sections for information pertinent to these specific types of food.
Vitamin A
The contribution of both retinol and its derivatives (for example, retinyl acetate, retinyl palmitate) and beta-carotene is used to determine the total vitamin A content of a specific food based on the following conversions:
| Source ingredient quantity | Vitamin A quantity | Vitamin A activity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 µg All-trans retinol | 1.00 µg RAE | 3.33 IU |
| 1 µg All-trans retinyl acetate | 0.87 µg RAE | 2.91 IU |
| 1 µg All-trans retinyl palmitate | 0.55 µg RAE | 1.82 IU |
Vitamin A content is calculated on the basis of micrograms of retinol activity equivalents (RAE) and expressed in micrograms (µg), based on the following formula [D.01.003(1)(a), FDR]:
total µg RAE = µg of retinol + (µg of beta-carotene ÷ 12)
International Units (IU) were formerly used to express the vitamin A content of a food. IUs are still used in some sections of the Food and Drug Regulations [for example, Division 8 - Dairy products, Division 9 - Fats and oils, sections D.01.009, D.01.010 and D.01.011] to provide specifications on the standards of identity for certain foods and for controlling the level of vitamin A that may be added to foods. To convert IU of vitamin A into retinol activity equivalents, the following formula is used:
1 µg RAE = 3.33 IU vitamin A
The following table may be used to convert IU of vitamin A to µg RAE.
| IU of vitamin A | µg RAE |
|---|---|
| 50 | 15 |
| 100 | 30 |
| 150 | 45 |
| 200 | 60 |
| 250 | 75 |
| 300 | 90 |
| 350 | 105 |
| 400 | 120 |
| 450 | 135 |
| 500 | 150 |
| 550 | 165 |
| 600 | 180 |
| 650 | 195 |
| 700 | 210 |
| 750 | 225 |
| 800 | 240 |
| 850 | 255 |
| 900 | 270 |
| 950 | 285 |
| 1000 | 300 |
The following table may be used to convert µg RAE to % DV for vitamin A. Calculation of the % daily value is based on the Daily Values for vitamin A in Part 2 – Daily values for vitamins and mineral nutrients in the Table of daily values. Daily values are given for different age groups. When using the table, be sure to use the appropriate column.
| µg RAE | % DV Foods solely for infants ≥ 6 months but < 1 year old Table note 4 |
% DV Foods for infants ≥ 6 months but < 1 year old or for children ≥ 1 year old < 4 years old Table note 5 |
% DV Any other case Table note 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| 30 | 6 | 10 | 3 |
| 40 | 8 | 13 | 4 |
| 50 | 10 | 17 | 6 |
| 100 | 20 | 33 | 11 |
| 150 | 30 | 50 | 17 |
| 200 | 40 | 67 | 22 |
| 300 | 60 | 100 | 33 |
| 400 | 80 | 133 | 44 |
| 500 | 100 | 167 | 56 |
| 600 | 120 | 200 | 67 |
Table notes
- Table note 4
-
The daily value of vitamin A for foods intended solely for infants 6 months of age or older but less than 1 year of age is 500 µg RAE.
- Table note 5
-
Rounding rules have been applied to these figures. The daily value of vitamin A for foods intended for infants 6 months of age or older but less than 1 year of age or for children 1 year of age or older but less than 4 years of age is 300 µg RAE.
- Table note 6
-
Rounding rules have been applied to these figures. The daily value of vitamin A in any other case is 900 µg RAE.
Vitamin D
The contribution of ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) is used to determine the total vitamin D content of a specific food [D.01.003(1)(b), FDR]. Vitamin D is measured in micrograms (µg). It was formerly expressed in International Units (IU). IUs are still used in some sections of the Food and Drug Regulations [for example, Division 8 - Dairy products, Division 9 - Fats and oils, sections D.01.009, D.01.010 and D.01.011] to provide specifications on the standards of identity for certain foods and for controlling the level of vitamin D that may be added to foods.
The amount of vitamin D may be calculated based on the following relationship:
1 µg of either ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) or cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) = 40 IU vitamin D
The following table contains IU of vitamin D converted to µg, along with a calculation of the % daily value of vitamin D. Calculation of the % daily value is based on the daily values for vitamin D in Part 2 – Daily values for vitamins and mineral nutrients in the Table of daily values. Daily values are given for different age groups. When using the table, be sure to use the appropriate column.
| IU | µg | Foods solely for infants ≥ 6 months but < 1 year old Table note 7 | % DV Foods for infants ≥ 6 months but < 1 year old or for children ≥ 1 year old <4 years old Table note 8 |
% DV Any other case Table note 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 0.1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 8 | 0.2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 16 | 0.4 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| 24 | 0.6 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| 32 | 0.8 | 8 | 5 | 4 |
| 40 | 1.0 | 10 | 7 | 5 |
| 60 | 1.5 | 15 | 10 | 8 |
| 80 | 2.0 | 20 | 13 | 10 |
| 100 | 2.5 | 25 | 17 | 13 |
| 140 | 3.5 | 35 | 23 | 18 |
| 180 | 4.5 | 45 | 30 | 23 |
| 200 | 5 | 50 | 33 | 25 |
Table notes
- Table note 7
-
The daily value of vitamin D for foods intended solely for infants 6 months of age or older but less than 1 year of age is 10 µg.
- Table note 8
-
Rounding rules have been applied to these figures. The daily value of vitamin D for foods intended for infants 6 months of age or older but less than 1 year of age, or for children 1 year of age or older but less than 4 years of age is 15 µg.
- Table note 9
-
The daily value of vitamin D in any other case is 20 µg.
Vitamin E
The amount of vitamin E expressed in milligrams (mg) is based on the content of d-alpha-tocopherol and dl-alpha-tocopherol and their derivatives [D.01.003(1)(c),FDR]. Alpha-tocopherol occurs naturally (d-alpha tocopherol or its synonym RRR-alpha tocopherol = natural vitamin E) or can be added as the synthetic form (dl-alpha-tocopherol or its synonym all racemic alpha-tocopherol = synthetic vitamin E). In addition, esterified forms (acetates, succinates of alpha-tocopherol) are used to increase the stability of the vitamin.
Vitamin E (mg) is calculated on the basis of the following:
1 mg d-alpha-tocopherol = 1 mg vitamin E
1 mg dl-alpha-tocopherol = 0.74 mg vitamin E
Vitamin E was formerly expressed in International Units (IU). IU are still used in sections D.01.010 and D.01.011 of the Food and Drug Regulations, controlling the level of vitamin E that may be added to foods. IU are calculated on the basis of the following:
1 IU d-alpha-tocopherol = 0.67 mg vitamin E
1 IU dl-alpha-tocopherol = 0.45 mg vitamin E
The following tables give conversions of IU of vitamin E converted to mg (for d-alpha-tocopherol and dl-alpha-tocopherol), along with a calculation of the percentage of the daily value of vitamin E. Calculation of the % daily value is based on the daily values for vitamin E in Part 2 – Daily values for vitamins and mineral nutrients in the Table of daily values. Daily values are given for different age groups. When using the table, be sure to use the appropriate column.
| IU | mg Table note 10 | % DV Foods solely for infants ≥ 6 months but < 1 year old Table note 11 |
% DV Foods for infants ≥ 6 months but < 1 year old or for children ≥ 1 year old < 4 years old Table note 12 |
% DV Any other case Table note 13 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.45 | 0.3 | 6 | 5 | 2 |
| 0.60 | 0.4 | 8 | 7 | 3 |
| 0.75 | 0.5 | 10 | 8 | 3 |
| 1.5 | 1.00 | 20 | 17 | 7 |
| 2.25 | 1.5 | 30 | 25 | 10 |
| 2.5 | 1.75 | 35 | 29 | 12 |
| 3 | 2.00 | 40 | 33 | 13 |
| 3.5 | 2.25 | 45 | 38 | 15 |
| 4 | 2.5 | 50 | 42 | 17 |
| 4.5 | 3.0 | 60 | 50 | 20 |
| 5 | 3.5 | 70 | 58 | 23 |
| 6 | 4.0 | 80 | 67 | 27 |
| 6.5 | 4.5 | 90 | 75 | 30 |
| 8 | 5.5 | 110 | 92 | 37 |
| 9 | 6.0 | 120 | 100 | 40 |
Table notes
- Table note 10
-
Rounding rules for amounts of vitamin E in milligrams (mg) have been applied.
- Table note 11
-
The daily value of vitamin E for foods intended solely for infants 6 months of age or older but less than 1 year of age is 5 mg.
- Table note 12
-
Rounding rules have been applied to these figures. The daily value of vitamin E for intended for infants 6 months of age or older but less than 1 year of age or for children 1 year of age or older but less than 4 years of age is 6 mg.
- Table note 13
-
Rounding rules have been applied to these figures. The daily value of vitamin E in any other case is 15 mg.
| IU | mg Table note 14 | % DV Foods solely for infants ≥ 6 months but < 1 year old Table note 15 |
% DV Foods for infants ≥ 6 months but < 1 year old or for children ≥ 1 year old < 4 years old Table note 16 |
% DV Any other case Table note 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.45 | 0.2 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| 0.60 | 0.3 | 6 | 5 | 2 |
| 0.75 | 0.3 | 6 | 5 | 2 |
| 1.5 | 0.75 | 15 | 13 | 5 |
| 2.25 | 1.0 | 20 | 17 | 7 |
| 2.5 | 1.25 | 25 | 21 | 8 |
| 3 | 1.25 | 25 | 21 | 8 |
| 3.5 | 1.50 | 30 | 25 | 10 |
| 4 | 1.75 | 35 | 29 | 12 |
| 4.5 | 2.00 | 40 | 33 | 13 |
| 5 | 2.25 | 45 | 38 | 15 |
| 6 | 2.5 | 50 | 42 | 17 |
| 6.5 | 3.0 | 60 | 50 | 20 |
| 8 | 3.5 | 70 | 58 | 23 |
| 9 | 4.0 | 80 | 67 | 27 |
Table notes
- Table note 14
-
Rounding rules for amounts of vitamin E in milligrams (mg) have been applied.
- Table note 15
-
The daily value of vitamin E for foods intended solely for infants 6 months of age or older but less than 1 year of age is 5 mg.
- Table note 16
-
Rounding rules have been applied to these figures. The daily value of vitamin E for intended for infants 6 months of age or older but less than 1 year of age or for children 1 year of age or older but less than 4 years of age is 6 mg.
- Table note 17
-
Rounding rules have been applied to these figures. The daily value of vitamin E in any other case is 15 mg.
Vitamin C
The amount of vitamin C is based on the content of L-ascorbic acid and L-dehydroascorbic acid and their derivatives, calculated in milligram equivalents of L-ascorbic acid and expressed in milligrams.
Sodium erythorbate is permitted in a number of foods as a preservative. Erythorbate is not vitamin C as specified in D.01.003(1)(e) of the FDR. It is an inactive form that does not have the same physiological effect. However, it may show up as vitamin C in lab analysis if the lab is not making this distinction. CFIA labs can make this distinction when necessary, depending on the product in question. Vitamin C from erythorbate should not be declared in the Nutrition Facts table.
Thiamine
The amount of thiamine and its derivatives is based on the content of thiamine expressed in milligrams [D.01.003(1)(f), FDR].
Riboflavin
The amount of riboflavin and its derivatives is based on the content of riboflavin expressed in milligrams [D.01.003(1)(g), FDR].
Niacin
The amount of niacin and its derivatives is calculated in milligrams of nicotinic acid, plus the content of tryptophan, calculated in milligrams and divided by 60, with the total niacin equivalents (NE) expressed in milligrams [D.01.003(1)(h),FDR]. The conversion formula is as follows:
Total mg NE = mg niacin and/or nicotinic acid + (mg tryptophan ÷ 60)
The content of tryptophan in a food can be estimated if the protein content of the food is known. Tryptophan constitutes 1.5 percent of egg protein, 1.3 percent of protein from milk, meat, poultry or fish, and 1.1 percent of the protein from mixed and other sources [D.01.003(2), FDR].
Calculation example - % of the daily value of niacin in a mixed protein source
A 60 g serving of food contains 4.26 mg of niacin and 7.5 g of protein from a mixed source:
NE in mg from niacin alone = 4.26 mg
- Calculate the amount of tryptophan (which is 1.1% of the protein)
1.1% x 7.5 g protein = 0.082 g tryptophan = 82 mg - Using the conversion formula above, divide mg of tryptophan by 60
82 mg / 60 = 1.36 mg - Add niacin equivalents expressed in mg from the niacin and the tryptophan
4.26 mg+ 1.36 mg = 5.62 mg - Calculate the % of the daily value of niacin (for children 4 years of age and older, and adults, daily value = 16 mg)
5.62 mg/16 mg x 100% = 35.125 %DV - Round the % of the daily value as per the table to B.01.402 of the FDR to arrive at the % daily value for declaration in the Nutrition Facts table
35.125 % DV = 35 % daily value (rounded)
Vitamin B6
The amount of vitamin B6 is based on the content of pyridoxine, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine and their derivatives, calculated in milligram equivalents of pyridoxine and expressed as milligrams [D.01.003(1)(i), FDR].
Folacin or folate
The amount of folacin or folate is based on the content of folic acid (pteroylmonoglutamic acid) and related compounds exhibiting the biological activity of folic acid, calculated and expressed in micrograms of dietary folate equivalents (DFE) [D.01.003(1)(j), FDR].
The terminology required to be used in the label declaration is "folate" [item 23 of the table to B.01.402, FDR].
Vitamin B12
The amount of vitamin B12 is based on the content of cyanocobalamin and related compounds exhibiting the biological activity of cyanocobalamin, calculated in microgram equivalents of cyanocobalamin and expressed in micrograms [D.01.003(1)(k), FDR].
Pantothenic acid or pantothenate
The amount of pantothenic acid or pantothenate is based on the content of d-pantothenic acid and expressed in milligrams [D.01.003(1)(l), FDR]. Although pantothenate is also known by other names, for example, vitamin B5, it must only be declared as "pantothenate" or "pantothenic Acid" [item 26 of the table to B.01.402, FDR].
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