Technical Reference
FDA Rounding Rules for Nutrition Labels
The FDA requires specific rounding thresholds for nutrition facts. This guide covers calories, macros, vitamins, and % Daily Value rounding.
Why Rounding Matters
The FDA doesn't want nutrition labels cluttered with decimal points. Rounding makes labels easier to read, but you must follow exact thresholds or risk non-compliance.
Example error: Rounding 148 calories to 145 cal instead of 150 cal is a violation.
Complete FDA Rounding Rules
Calories
- <5 cal → Express as 0
- 5-50 cal → Round to nearest 5 (e.g., 49 → 50)
- Above 50 cal → Round to nearest 10 (e.g., 148 → 150)
Examples: 3 cal → 0 cal | 47 cal → 45 cal | 148 cal → 150 cal
Total Fat, Saturated Fat, Trans Fat
- <0.5g → Express as 0g
- 0.5g to <5g → Round to nearest 0.5g
- ≥5g → Round to nearest 1g
Examples: 0.3g → 0g | 2.3g → 2.5g | 6.8g → 7g
Cholesterol
- <2mg → Express as 0mg (or "less than 5mg")
- 2-5mg → Express as "less than 5mg"
- ≥5mg → Round to nearest 5mg
Sodium
- <5mg → Express as 0mg
- 5-140mg → Round to nearest 5mg
- >140mg → Round to nearest 10mg
Total Carbohydrate, Dietary Fiber, Total Sugars, Added Sugars
- <0.5g → Express as 0g (or "Contains less than 1g" if desired)
- <1g → Round to nearest 1g or use "Contains less than 1g"
- ≥1g → Round to nearest 1g
Examples: 0.3g → 0g | 4.8g → 5g
Protein
- <0.5g → Express as 0g
- <1g → Round to "less than 1g" or nearest 1g
- ≥1g → Round to nearest 1g
Examples: 0.3g → 0g | 34.8g → 35g
Vitamins & Minerals (Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, Potassium)
- If <2% DV → May declare as 0% or omit
- Always express as whole % (no decimals)
% Daily Value (All Nutrients)
- Always round to nearest whole number
- If <1% → May express as "<1%" or omit asterisk
Examples: 4.8% → 5% | 0.3% → 0% or <1%
Quick Reference Table
| Nutrient | Increment |
|---|---|
| Calories (<50) | Nearest 5 |
| Calories (≥50) | Nearest 10 |
| Fat (0.5-5g) | Nearest 0.5g |
| Fat (≥5g) | Nearest 1g |
| Cholesterol | Nearest 5mg |
| Sodium (<140mg) | Nearest 5mg |
| Sodium (≥140mg) | Nearest 10mg |
| Carbs, Protein, Fiber, Sugars | Nearest 1g |
| % Daily Value | Nearest 1% |