FDA regulations specify exactly how nutrition values must be rounded on Nutrition Facts panels. Getting this wrong can make an otherwise accurate label non-compliant. Here’s what you need to know.
Why Rounding Matters
The FDA requires consistent rounding so that:
- Labels are readable and not cluttered with decimals
- Consumers can compare products fairly
- Values reflect practical precision (e.g., you can’t measure 0.001g of sodium)
Key Rounding Rules
Calories
- < 5 cal/serving: Round to 0
- 5–50 cal: Round to nearest 5 (e.g., 23 → 25)
- > 50 cal: Round to nearest 10 (e.g., 127 → 130)
Macronutrients (in grams)
- < 0.5 g: Can be declared as 0 (or “Less than 0.5 g” in some cases)
- 0.5–5 g: Round to nearest 0.5 g
- > 5 g: Round to nearest 1 g
Sodium and Potassium (in mg)
- < 5 mg: Can be declared as 0
- 5–140 mg: Round to nearest 5 mg
- > 140 mg: Round to nearest 10 mg
Vitamins and Minerals
Rules vary by nutrient. For example:
- Vitamin D, Iron: Round to nearest 0.1 mcg or mg for small values; different rules for larger values
- Calcium, Potassium: Round to nearest 1% or 10 mg depending on amount
The full rules are in 21 CFR 101.9.
How LabelAgent Handles Rounding
LabelAgent applies FDA rounding rules automatically. When you generate a label from a recipe, the tool:
- Calculates precise values from USDA data
- Applies the correct rounding rule for each nutrient
- Outputs a label that meets FDA formatting requirements
You don’t need to round manually—just ensure your recipe and serving information are accurate.
Common Mistakes
- Over-rounding: Declaring 0 when the value is 0.4 g (check if “Less than 0.5 g” is required for your case)
- Under-rounding: Showing 23.7 g of carbs instead of 24 g
- Wrong units: Mixing g and mg, or using incorrect serving size units
Using an FDA-compliant nutrition label generator reduces these errors by applying the rules for you.