Value, Daily

 

Used as a reference point on food packages, the Daily Value (DV) of a nutrient is the intake that most people on a 2000-calorie-a-day diet need to average for good health. For some nutrients (cholesterol, for example), the DV is an upper limit; for others (calcium, vitamin C), it's a minimum. Unlike Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) and Adequate Intakes (AIs), Daily Values do not depend on age, sex, or reproductive state¾they are the same for everyone. They are designed mainly to describe nutrient content in foods, not to prescribe nutrient intake for individuals.