Nutrient

Calcium

Calcium is a mineral required on most U.S. Nutrition Facts labels and shown with percent Daily Value.

Reviewed June 17, 2026

Quick answer

Calcium may be naturally present or added through fortification. It is useful for comparing similar foods, especially dairy products, fortified beverages, cereals, and plant-based alternatives.

Why it is used

Calcium appears on labels to show how much one serving contributes to general daily nutrition guidance.

Where you might see it

  • Dairy products
  • Fortified plant milks
  • Fortified cereals
  • Tofu products
  • Some leafy greens

What to check on the label

  • Use percent Daily Value to compare similar foods.
  • Check whether calcium is naturally present or added through fortification.
  • Read calcium with vitamin D and serving size when relevant.

Sources and review

This entry is written for educational label context and reviewed against source-backed internal references.

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