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Before looking at any dose, find Serving Size and Servings Per Container. A bottle can contain 90 capsules and still provide only 30 servings if the serving size is three capsules.

The FDA defines a supplement serving around the maximum amount recommended for one eating occasion. That is why the directions and the facts panel should be read together.

The lines to read first, using DECLARED Magnesium Glycinate as the example
Label lineWhat it tells youExample
Serving SizeThe amount the declared figures refer to3 capsules
Servings Per ContainerHow many servings the package holds30 (90 capsules ÷ 3)
Amount Per ServingWhat one serving declares275 mg magnesium
% Daily ValueA reference point, not a personal targetNot established for some ingredients, such as creatine
Other ingredientsEverything outside the dietary ingredientsCapsule shell, flow agents

Read the amount per serving

The amount beside a dietary ingredient is what the product declares per serving. If a mineral source appears in parentheses, the declared mineral amount and the total source-compound weight are not interchangeable.

Percent Daily Value is a reference point, not an individualized prescription. Some dietary ingredients, including creatine, do not have an established Daily Value and are marked accordingly.

Do not skip ‘Other ingredients’

Capsule shells, flow agents, flavors, sweeteners, and processing aids can appear outside the main facts box. They may not be the reason you bought the product, but they are still part of what you consume.

A short list is easy to inspect, but short does not automatically mean better. The useful question is whether every ingredient is declared and whether the format suits your needs.

Treat the label as a record

A label tells you what the company is representing about that product. It does not, by itself, prove identity, purity, potency, or performance. Batch documents and manufacturing records answer different questions.

At DECLARED, we put the label facts next to the product details so you can compare the dose, serving size, quantity, and ingredients without hunting through a render.

Sources

  1. FDA Dietary Supplement Labeling Guide: Nutrition Labeling
  2. FDA Questions and Answers on Dietary Supplements

This material is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional about your individual circumstances.