What “high” and “excellent source of” mean on a food label
The words below are the regulation's own. They are quoted exactly from the United States Code of Federal Regulations.
The definition
The terms “high,” “rich in,” or “excellent source of” may be used on the label and in the labeling of foods, except meal products as defined in § 101.13(l) and main dish products as defined in § 101.13(m), provided that the food contains 20 percent or more of the RDI or the DRV per reference amount customarily consumed.
Plain facts about this rule
“RDI” and “DRV” are the two kinds of Daily Value in the regulation. So this term is measured against the label's reference figure for a nutrient, not against anyone's own limit.
A maker may use the term for a nutrient such as potassium or protein. The amount in a serving is the figure printed on the Nutrition Facts label.
Several definitions use the phrase "reference amount customarily consumed". It has its own page.
Source
- Text used:
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), Title 21, Part 101, as in force on 6 October 2026
- Checked on:
- 11 October 2026