Reading Food Labels for Calcium Content

The calcium content of food varies widely depending upon growing conditions (fruits, vegetables and legumes), brand and the amount of calcium added to fortified foods. Reading the food label is an easy way to find out how much calcium is in one serving of food. It can help you choose foods that contain the calcium you need.

The food label lists calcium in milligrams (mg) per serving, as shown in the example here.

What do calcium claims on food labels mean?

Many food packages include a claim about the calcium content. Understanding these claims on the label will help you select calcium rich foods.

For more guidance on how to understand and use the nutrition facts panel on food labels, see: U.S. Food and Drug Administration.