The FDA requires values to be rounded, so labels show clean numbers.
Calories round to the nearest 5 (up to 50) or 10 (above 50).
A '0g' fat can legally contain up to 0.5g, which is how 'zero trans fat' claims work.
Ever notice that labels always show calories in round numbers like 190 or 250, never 187 or 253? That's not sloppiness — it's the law. The FDA sets specific rounding rules so labels are consistent and readable.
Calories
Calories are rounded: under 5 they become 0; from 5 to 50 they round to the nearest 5; above 50 they round to the nearest 10. So a value of 187 is printed as 190, and 253 becomes 250. This is why two similar products can show the same calories even if their exact values differ slightly.
Fats, and the 'zero' loophole
Fat rounds to the nearest 0.5 gram below 5 grams, and less than 0.5 gram is declared as 0g. This creates a well-known quirk: a product can contain up to 0.49 grams of trans fat per serving and still legally say '0g trans fat.' Eat several servings and it adds up. The same applies to saturated fat. Always glance at the ingredient list for 'partially hydrogenated oil' — its presence signals hidden trans fat.
Sugars, carbs, and protein
These round to the nearest gram, with amounts under 0.5g shown as 0 and amounts between 0.5 and 1g shown as 'less than 1g.' So a drink's added sugars figure is a rounded whole number.
Sodium and cholesterol
Sodium rounds to the nearest 5 mg up to 140 mg, then to the nearest 10 mg. Cholesterol under 2 mg shows as 0, and 2–5 mg shows as 'less than 5 mg.' These rules keep the numbers clean while staying within a defined margin of the true value.
The BevFacts label generator applies these exact FDA rounding rules, which is why a drink you build shows realistic label numbers — calories in tens, sugars in whole grams — instead of raw decimals.
Frequently asked questions
Why are calories always round numbers?
The FDA requires calories to be rounded — to the nearest 5 below 50 calories and the nearest 10 above that. So 187 becomes 190. This keeps labels consistent and easy to read.
How can a food say '0g trans fat' but still have some?
Because amounts under 0.5 gram per serving round down to 0g. A product can legally claim zero trans fat while containing up to 0.49g per serving, so check the ingredients for partially hydrogenated oils.
See it on a real label
Build a Nutrition Facts label for any drink and watch the sugar, added sugars, and caffeine update as you customize it.
This article is general educational information, not medical, nutritional, or legal advice. For guidance about your own diet or health conditions such as diabetes, talk to a qualified healthcare professional. Nutrition values cited are typical figures and vary by product and preparation.