Supplement information panels: the dos and don'ts

Do

• Give the amount of each vitamin, mineral and other substance per recommended daily dose, for example “per 2 capsules”.
• Show the %NRV for vitamins and minerals that have one. Use our %NRV calculator.
• Use the correct units: mg or µg as set for each vitamin and mineral.
• Base the values on what the product contains through its shelf life.
• Name the nutrients as set in law, for example “vitamin D” rather than a brand name for the ingredient.

Don't

• Don't add a reference intake footnote for an average adult (8400 kJ/2000 kcal) when no energy is declared.
• Don't use %RI or %DV in place of %NRV.
• Don't give values only per 100 g. Supplements are declared per daily dose.
• Don't list a substance without its amount.

Products that aren't supplements

Some powders, such as protein shakes, are sold as ordinary foods rather than food supplements. They then need the standard nutrition declaration of energy, fat, saturates, carbohydrate, sugars, protein and salt, per 100 g. Choose one category and label consistently.

Dual-market panels

A US Supplement Facts panel can sit alongside the GB table if it's clearly separate. See dual-market labels.