Near the bottom of the label, below the heavy bar, you'll find a short list of vitamins and minerals. These are nutrients Americans often don't get enough of, so here higher numbers are better.
The four required nutrients
Since the 2016 redesign, four micronutrients must appear on the label:
- Vitamin D — for bone health and immune function; many people are low, especially in winter.
- Calcium — for bones and teeth.
- Iron — carries oxygen in the blood; shortfalls cause anemia.
- Potassium — helps control blood pressure and offsets sodium.
What changed in 2016
The 2016 update swapped the required vitamins. Out went vitamins A and C, because deficiencies in those had become rare. In came vitamin D and potassium, which national surveys showed people were actually short on. Manufacturers can still list other vitamins voluntarily.
Now with actual amounts
Another 2016 change: these nutrients now show the actual amount (like 'Vitamin D 2mcg') alongside the % Daily Value, not just a percentage. That makes it easier to compare products and understand real quantities.
Reading them
Because these are nutrients to get enough of, use the %DV rule in reverse: 20% or more is high (good), 5% or less is low. Fortified drinks — some plant milks, orange juice with added calcium and vitamin D — can be meaningful sources, which is worth noting when comparing beverages.