---
title: "What must appear on a dietary supplement nutrition label? Answer in under 100 words. Cite only eCFR (www.ecfr.gov) sources."
canonical: https://www.m-i-n-d.ai/minds/nutrition/dietary-supplement-label-requirements
jurisdiction: "US Federal"
last_verified: 2026-08-27
license: CC BY 4.0 — https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
attribution: "Source: MIND (m-i-n-d.ai)"
---

# What must appear on a dietary supplement nutrition label? Answer in under 100 words. Cite only eCFR (www.ecfr.gov) sources.

Under 21 CFR 101.36, a dietary supplement label must bear a 'Supplement Facts' panel listing the serving size, servings per container, the quantitative amount of each (b)(2)-dietary ingredient with established RDIs/DRVs, the % Daily Value, and other dietary ingredients without RDIs/DRVs (marked 'Daily Value not established'). Proprietary blends must be identified by name with total weight. The label must comply with the type-size, hairline, and format rules of the regulation.

## Details / How it works

Under 21 CFR 101.36, the nutrition information on a dietary supplement label is titled **'Supplement Facts'** and must be presented in the format specified in paragraph (e) of the regulation.

The required information includes:
- **Serving Size** — placed under the 'Supplement Facts' heading, determined according to 21 CFR 101.9(b) and Table 2 of 21 CFR 101.12(b).
- **Servings Per Container** — placed under 'Serving Size', unless already stated in the net quantity declaration.
- **(b)(2)-dietary ingredients** — the names and quantitative amounts of dietary ingredients that have an established RDI or DRV (e.g., total calories, total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrate, dietary fiber, total sugars, added sugars, protein, vitamin D, calcium, iron, potassium) under the heading **'Amount Per Serving'**.
- **% Daily Value** — presented in a column to the right of the amounts.
- **Other dietary ingredients** — those without established RDIs/DRVs, declared by their common or usual name under a heavy bar, with the notation 'Daily Value not established'.
- **Proprietary Blends** — identified by the term 'Proprietary Blend' (or other appropriate term), with total weight declared and individual constituents listed in descending order by weight.

## Numbers & thresholds

| Element | Requirement | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Title | 'Supplement Facts' — set full width, larger than all other print, bolded | 21 CFR 101.36(e)(1) |
| Title type size | Larger than all other print on the nutrition label, bolded | 21 CFR 101.36(e)(1) |
| Body type size | No smaller than 8 point (6 point for column headings and footnotes) | 21 CFR 101.36(e)(4) |
| % Daily Value calculation | (Quantitative amount ÷ RDI or DRV) × 100 | 21 CFR 101.36(b)(2)(iii)(B) |
| Protein % Daily Value | Calculated using corrected amount per 21 CFR 101.9(c)(7)(ii) | 21 CFR 101.36(b)(2)(iii) |
| 'Less than 1%' threshold | Used when rounded % Daily Value equals zero but ingredient must be listed | 21 CFR 101.36(b)(2)(iii)(C) |
| Small package type size (small-sized packages, <12 sq. in. total surface area) | No smaller than 4.5 point | 21 CFR 101.36(i)(2)(i) |
| Intermediate package type size (12–40 sq. in. total surface area) | No smaller than 6 point (4.5 point in certain cases) | 21 CFR 101.36(i)(2)(ii) |

## Exceptions & edge cases

Several exemptions and special provisions apply:
- **Small and intermediate-sized packages** (less than 12 square inches or 12–40 square inches of total surface area available to labeling) — reduced type size and relaxed formatting apply per 21 CFR 101.36(i)(2).
- **Retailer exemption** — products sold by persons with annual gross sales to consumers of $500,000 or less (and food sales of $50,000 or less) whose labels do not provide nutrition information or make claims (per 21 CFR 101.9(j)(1)).
- **Low-volume products** — may qualify for an exemption under 21 CFR 101.9(j)(18).
- **Bulk shipments** — foods shipped in bulk form for use solely in the manufacture of other dietary supplements (per 21 CFR 101.9(j)(9)).
- **Other dietary ingredients** — no % Daily Value is given; the label must include the statement 'Daily Value not established' with a corresponding symbol.
- **No (b)(2)-dietary ingredients present** — the 'Other dietary ingredients' are declared directly beneath the 'Amount Per Serving' heading.
- **Alternative compliance** — the FDA may permit alternative means of compliance when technological feasibility is an issue, per 21 CFR 101.9(g)(9).

## Sources

- [1] U.S. National Archives, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations — 21 CFR 101.36 — Nutrition labeling of dietary supplements · https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.36 · as of 2026-08-27