Two products can look identical on the front of the bottle and be very different on the back. The Supplement Facts panel is the only part of the label that is regulated for accuracy, and it is worth two minutes of your attention.
You can see how this works on a real label: the Aged Garlic Extract Gummies with CoQ10 60mg - S-Allyl Cysteine Formula product page carries the full Supplement Facts panel.
Step 1: Find the serving size
Everything below it is measured per serving, not per bottle and not per capsule. If a serving is two gummies, the numbers describe two gummies. This is also how you work out how long a bottle lasts - divide the count by the serving.
Step 2: Read amount per serving, not per bottle
The amount per serving is the figure that matters. Marketing often quotes the total in the bottle because it is a bigger number.
Step 3: Use % Daily Value as a scale, not a target
Daily Values are reference amounts for adults and children over four. They help you compare products. 100% is not a goal - some nutrients are beneficial well below it, and some are harmful well above it.
Step 4: Watch for compound vs elemental weight
This is the most common trap. 1800mg of magnesium taurate is the weight of the whole compound. The elemental magnesium - the mineral itself - is a smaller figure, and it is the one to compare across products.
Step 5: Read the other ingredients list
Ingredients below the panel are inactive: fillers, colours, sweeteners and preservatives, listed by weight. If you are avoiding something specific, this is where it appears.
Step 6: Look for a lot number and best-before date
A lot number means the batch is traceable. The best-before date is the manufacturer's estimate of how long the product holds its stated potency in unopened storage.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between serving size and servings per container?
Serving size is the amount in one dose; servings per container is how many doses the bottle holds. Multiply them to work out how long a bottle lasts.
Should I look at the milligram figure or the % Daily Value?
Both. The milligram figure tells you the dose; the % Daily Value tells you how that dose compares with a daily reference intake.
What does the other ingredients list mean?
Everything that is not active - capsule material, fillers, flow agents and sweeteners. Short lists are easier to evaluate, but the point is that you can read them at all.
