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Simplified Nutrition Facts Label

A shorter panel for foods with little nutrition. You may use it when eight or more of 15 core nutrients are present in insignificant amounts.

Allowed when most nutrients are near zero § 101.9(f)

On the package

A can of lime sparkling water with a zero sugar claim, and its short panelAlmost every core nutrient rounds to zero, so a simplified panel is allowed. The zero sugar claim, with its not for weight control statement, brings the line that names what is not there.Zero sugarNot for weight control
14 of 15
Core nutrients near zero
8 or more
Needed for a simplified panel
Zero sugar
A claim, so the label lists what is not there
Why this format

A 12 fl oz can of lime sparkling water. Calories, fat, carbohydrate, protein and most other core nutrients round to zero. That is well over eight of 15, so the simplified panel is allowed.

§ 101.9(f)

An invented product, for illustration.

The label, part by part

Tap a part.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving per container

Serving size1 can (355mL)

Amount per serving

Calories0

Only the rows that count

% DV*

Total Fat 0g0%

Sodium 15mg1%

Total Carbohydrate 0g0%

Total Sugars 0g

Includes 0g Added Sugars0%

Protein 0g

Not a significant source

Not a significant source of saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, dietary fiber, vitamin D, calcium, iron and potassium.

*% DV = % Daily Value

No vitamin or mineral rows on this label.

A 12 fl oz can of lime sparkling water. Invented values, rounded the FDA way.

FDA’s sample

FDA sample label: Simplified format, from 21 CFR 101.9(f)(4)
FDA sample label: Simplified format. Printed in 21 CFR 101.9(f)(4), published at 81 FR 33742. Cropped and resized from FDA’s graphic. Values are illustrative. Download FDA’s original (PNG)

Whole panel

Rules for the panel as a whole: space and bold type.

Simplified panel space: A few rows shorter than the standard vertical panel.about3 in
About 3 in tall

A few rows shorter than the standard vertical panel.

Only the dark words are bold

“Nutrition Facts”, “Serving size”, “Amount per serving”, “% Daily Value*”, the names of nutrients that are not indented and the %DV figures. The calorie number and the serving size line are bold too. Servings per container is not.

Wrong: Not on the list

Total Sugars 0g

Right: As the rule lists

Total Sugars 0g

In words

A few rows shorter than the standard vertical panel.

Bold. “Nutrition Facts”, “Serving size”, “Amount per serving”, “% Daily Value*”, the names of nutrients that are not indented and the %DV figures. The calorie number and the serving size line are bold too. Servings per container is not. § 101.9(d)(1)(iv)§ 101.9(d)(1)(iii)§ 101.9(d)(3)(ii)

Heading

The title at the top of the panel.

  • “Nutrition Facts” heading No smaller than any other type, except the calorie number

    “Nutrition Facts” heading

    No smaller than any other type, except the calorie number

    Rule text § 101.9(d)(2)

Serving

How many servings the package holds, and how big one is.

  • 10 pt

    Servings per container

    10 pt or larger

    Rule text § 101.9(d)(3)(i)

  • 10 pt, bold

    Serving size line

    10 pt or larger, bold

    Rule text § 101.9(d)(3)(ii)

Calories

The calories in one serving.

  • 16 pt, bold

    “Calories”

    16 pt or larger, bold

    Rule text § 101.9(d)(1)(iii)

  • 22 pt, bold

    Calorie number

    22 pt or larger, bold

    Rule text § 101.9(d)(1)(iii)

  • 6 pt

    “Amount per serving” and “% Daily Value*”

    6 pt or larger

    Rule text § 101.9(d)(1)(iii)

Nutrients

Fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrate and protein, with the %DV where there is one.

Only the rows that count § 101.9(f)(2)

  • 8 pt

    Nutrient, vitamin and mineral rows

    8 pt or larger

    Rule text § 101.9(d)(1)(iii)

  • 6 pt

    “Amount per serving” and “% Daily Value*”

    6 pt or larger

    Rule text § 101.9(d)(1)(iii)

Vitamins and minerals

Vitamin D, calcium, iron and potassium, plus any others you list.

Not on this label.

Footnote

The note at the bottom that says what %DV means.

Not a significant source § 101.9(f)(4)

  • 6 pt

    “Amount per serving” and “% Daily Value*”

    6 pt or larger

    Rule text § 101.9(d)(1)(iii)

  • Footnote Not required. When the heading says “% DV”, end with “*% DV = % Daily Value”

    Footnote

    Not required. When the heading says “% DV”, end with “*% DV = % Daily Value”

    Rule text § 101.9(f)(5)

  • “Not a significant source of …” At the bottom, naming the nutrients left off, when (f)(4) requires it

    “Not a significant source of …”

    At the bottom, naming the nutrients left off, when (f)(4) requires it

    Rule text § 101.9(f)(4)

?

Rule text

From FDA’s sample

BetterMenu’s choice

Do I need this?

Do 8 or more of these round to zero on the label?

Calories, total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrate, dietary fiber, total sugars, added sugars, protein, vitamin D, calcium, iron and potassium. Carbohydrate, fiber and protein count at “less than 1 g”. For infant and toddler foods, 6 or more of 12.

These pages are for conventional foods and drinks, not dietary supplements or medical foods.

Some foods need no panel at all (§ 101.9(j))

Studio works out the per-serving and per-package numbers from your recipe today. It exports the standard vertical panel. Simplified export is not available yet. Studio gives the per-serving numbers, and your designer sets them in the simplified layout. Open Studio

In detail

Common mistakes3 mistakes
  • Wrong: Dropping the footnote and shortening the heading to “% DV” without adding “*% DV = % Daily Value” at the bottom. % DV*

    Wrong: Dropping the footnote and shortening the heading to “% DV” without adding “*% DV = % Daily Value” at the bottom.

    Right: End the panel with “*% DV = % Daily Value”. % DV* *% DV = % Daily Value

    Right: End the panel with “*% DV = % Daily Value”.

    § 101.9(f)(5)
  • Wrong: Leaving off “Not a significant source of …” when the panel lists added vitamins or minerals, or other nutrients you chose to list under (f)(3), or the label makes a nutrition claim. CLAIM

    Wrong: Leaving off “Not a significant source of …” when the panel lists added vitamins or minerals, or other nutrients you chose to list under (f)(3), or the label makes a nutrition claim.

    Right: With a claim, an added nutrient or one you chose to list, add the line. CLAIM

    Right: With a claim, an added nutrient or one you chose to list, add the line.

    § 101.9(f)(4)
  • Wrong: Counting a nutrient as insignificant when it rounds to “less than 1 g” but it is not carbohydrate, fiber or protein. Total Sugars less than 1g

    Wrong: Counting a nutrient as insignificant when it rounds to “less than 1 g” but it is not carbohydrate, fiber or protein.

    Right: Count the others only when they round to zero. Total Sugars 0g

    Right: Count the others only when they round to zero.

    § 101.9(f)(1)
Rule text and sources4 quotes
“The declaration of nutrition information may be presented in the simplified format set forth herein when a food product contains insignificant amounts of eight or more of the following: Calories, total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrate, dietary fiber, total sugars, added sugars, protein, vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium; except that for foods intended for infants through 12 months of age and children 1 through 3 years of age to which paragraph (j)(5)(i) of this section applies, nutrition information may be presented in the simplified format when a food product contains insignificant amounts of six or more of the following: Calories, total fat, sodium, total carbohydrate, dietary fiber, total sugars, added sugars, protein, vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium.”
21 CFR 101.9(f), eCFR as of 2026-02-12
“An “insignificant amount” shall be defined as that amount that allows a declaration of zero in nutrition labeling, except that for total carbohydrate, dietary fiber, and protein, it shall be an amount that allows a declaration of “less than 1 gram.””
21 CFR 101.9(f)(1), eCFR as of 2026-02-12
“If any nutrients are declared as provided in paragraphs (f)(2)(iii), (f)(2)(iv), or (f)(3) of this section as part of the simplified format or if any nutrition claims are made on the label or in labeling, the statement “Not a significant source of ________” (with the blank filled in with the name(s) of any nutrient(s) identified in paragraph (f) of this section that are present in insignificant amounts) shall be included at the bottom of the nutrition label.”
21 CFR 101.9(f)(4), eCFR as of 2026-02-12
“Except as provided for in paragraphs (j)(5) and (j)(13) of this section, nutrient information declared in the simplified format shall be presented in the same manner as specified in paragraphs (d) or (e) of this section, except that the footnote required in paragraph (d)(9) of this section is not required, and an asterisk shall be placed at the bottom of the label followed by the statement “% DV = % Daily Value” when “Daily Value” is not spelled out in the heading, as shown in paragraph (f)(4).”
21 CFR 101.9(f)(5), eCFR as of 2026-02-12

Related formats

Questions

When can I use the simplified Nutrition Facts format?

When eight or more of 15 core nutrients are present in insignificant amounts. For foods for infants and children 1 through 3, it is six or more of 12.

What is an insignificant amount?

An amount the label can declare as zero. For total carbohydrate, dietary fiber and protein, it is an amount the label can declare as “less than 1 gram.”

When must the label say “Not a significant source of”?

When the panel lists vitamins or minerals added to the food, whether a standard of identity requires them or you add them, or other nutrients you choose to list. Also when the label makes a nutrition claim. The line names the nutrients present in insignificant amounts.

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