Nutrient
Vitamin B12: the Daily Value and where it comes from
The FDA Daily Value for vitamin B12 is 2 µg for adults and children 4 and over (21 CFR 101.9(c)). Of 4,286 USDA reference foods with a typical portion, 1,933 give at least 10% of it (0.2 µg) in one portion and 1,558 give 20% (0.5 µg).
Updated · By GetFoodFacts · data: USDA FoodData Central, April 30, 2026 release · how the figures are checked
- Daily Value
- 2µg
- the reference on every Nutrition Facts label
- Good source
- 0.2µg
- per serving, 10% DV (21 CFR 101.54(c))
- High in vitamin B12
- 0.5µg
- per serving, 20% DV (21 CFR 101.54(b))
Portions that give the most vitamin B12
Mollusks, clam, mixed species, cooked, moist heat (84 µg in 3 oz, 3500% DV), Beef, New Zealand, imported, variety meats and by-products liver, cooked, boiled (82 µg in 3 oz, 3417% DV) and Lamb, variety meats and by-products, liver, cooked, pan-fried (73 µg in 3 oz, 3042% DV) give the most per typical portion. The full ranking lists every food that supplies 10% of the Daily Value or more.
Source: USDA FoodData Central, April 30, 2026 release; FDA Daily Values (21 CFR 101.9).
How much vitamin B12 a day, by age and sex
The label's Daily Value is one figure for everyone; the Dietary Guidelines set the goal by age and sex (RDA): 2.4 µg for women and 2.4 µg for men aged 19 to 30.
| Age | Women and girls | Men and boys |
|---|---|---|
| 2-3 | 0.9 µg | 0.9 µg |
| 4-8 | 1.2 µg | 1.2 µg |
| 9-13 | 1.8 µg | 1.8 µg |
| 14-18 | 2.4 µg | 2.4 µg |
| 19-30 | 2.4 µg | 2.4 µg |
| 31-50 | 2.4 µg | 2.4 µg |
| 51 and older | 2.4 µg | 2.4 µg |
Source: Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025, Appendix 1, Table A1-2, pages 132-133 (dietaryguidelines.gov), from the National Academies' Dietary Reference Intakes. Ages 2-3: one figure for both sexes.
See every food ranked by vitamin B12
Sources for this page
- USDA FoodData Central
- the food and product records, April 30, 2026 release. fdc.nal.usda.gov
- USDA Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies
- the survey foods and their portions. ars.usda.gov
- 21 CFR 101.9, Nutrition labeling of food
- the label format, rounding and Daily Values. ecfr.gov
- 21 CFR 101.12, Reference amounts customarily consumed
- the serving each kind of food is labeled by. ecfr.gov
- FDA, Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels
- the Daily Values in a table. fda.gov