If you want to make a protein claim on your product’s label, you must follow FDA regulations to ensure compliance. This includes meeting the Daily Value (DV) requirements and properly calculating the %DV for protein using the Protein Digestibility-Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS).
FDA Guidelines for Protein Claims
A food product can be labeled as:
✅ "High in Protein" – Contains at least 20% of the Daily Value (DV) for protein per serving.
✅ "Good Source of Protein" – Contains 10-19% of the Daily Value (DV) for protein per serving.
📌 Important:
If you make any protein content claims (e.g., “High in Protein,” “Contains XXg of Protein”), you must declare the %DV for protein on your label.
If your product is intended for children under 4 years old, the %DV for protein is mandatory even without a claim.
Otherwise, declaring the %DV for protein is voluntary.
Whenever %DV values are included on a label, the FDA requires an explanatory footnote (e.g., "The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet."). This applies to all label formats.
How to Display the %DV for Protein in Food Label Maker
Food Label Maker includes a built-in feature to help you correctly display the %DV for protein when making a protein claim. However, to ensure accuracy, you must adjust the PDCAAS (Protein Digestibility-Corrected Amino Acid Score).
Step 1: Determine the PDCAAS Value Using the Amino Acid Pattern Report
The PDCAAS score measures protein quality based on amino acid composition and digestibility.
The Amino Acid Pattern Report in Food Label Maker helps determine your product's PDCAAS value by comparing it to the ideal amino acid profile.
The FDA requires that the %DV for protein is based on digestible protein, not just total protein—which is why PDCAAS must be factored in.
💡 Why This Matters:
1. Using the Amino Acid Pattern Report ensures that your protein claim is accurate and compliant.
2. Entering an incorrect PDCAAS value can lead to mislabeling and non-compliance.
Step 2: Enable the %DV for Protein on Your Label
Once you have the correct PDCAAS value, follow these steps to display the %DV for protein:
🔹 Go to "Customize Label" 🔹 Click on "Show/Hide Nutrients" 🔹 Scroll down and enable "Show Protein Daily Value" 🔹 Enter the PDCAAS value under "Edit Protein Quality Score (PDCAAS)" 🔹 Open the Nutrition Label in your application. 🔹 Navigate to the nutrient visibility settings by selecting Show/Hide Nutrients. 🔹 Scroll through the list of nutrients until you find Protein Daily Value %. 🔹 Toggle the visibility option to On to display the Protein %DV on your label.
This ensures that the protein %DV appears correctly on your label, in compliance with FDA regulations. Additionally, compliance is essential for dual-column or simplified formats. In these cases, the explanatory %DV footnote remains mandatory, and optional statements like "Not a significant source of..." cannot replace it. 📌 Note: The FDA requires a %DV explanatory footnote on labels. For example, "The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet." Adhering to 21 CFR 101.9(b)(2)(i)(D) ensures compliance.
Need More Information?
For a full guide on nutrition claims and legal requirements, check out our detailed article:
👉 Nutrition Claims Legal Guide
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