Nutrient Rankings

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's FoodData Central (FDC) database (December 2025 release), the SR Legacy and Foundation foods datasets together profile 7,793 standardized food items across more than 150 nutrients, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids, and proximates. GetFoodFacts ranks the top 50 whole foods by each nutrient. See our methodology for source attribution and refresh cadence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What nutrients should I track in my diet?

Key nutrients to track include protein for muscle health, fiber for digestion, calcium for bone strength, iron for blood health, and vitamins A, C, and D for immune function. The FDA identifies about 15 label nutrients that manufacturers must disclose on Nutrition Facts panels.

How are nutrient rankings calculated?

Rankings are based on USDA FoodData Central data, specifically Standard Reference Legacy and Foundation databases. Foods are ranked by nutrient content per 100g of edible portion. Branded and processed foods are excluded to focus on whole, unprocessed foods.

What is the FDA Daily Value?

The Daily Value (DV) is a reference amount of a nutrient to consume or not exceed each day, based on a 2,000-calorie diet. DVs are used on Nutrition Facts labels to help consumers understand how much of a nutrient a serving contributes to their total daily diet.

Rankings include whole foods from USDA Standard Reference Legacy and Foundation databases. Branded and processed foods are excluded. All values per 100g. Daily Values (DV) based on FDA reference amounts for a 2,000-calorie diet.

Every figure on GetFoodFacts is rendered directly from official USDA FoodData Central records, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.