Vitamin D
US Daily Value for adults: 20 mcg (800 IU) · unit on labels: mcg
US labels must declare vitamin D in mcg and may add International Units in parentheses (21 CFR 101.9). The conversion is 40 IU per mcg, so 20 mcg is 800 IU and 5 mcg is 200 IU. China and the EU publish their values in mcg only; the IU figures in their columns are converted at 40 IU per mcg for reading convenience. Chinese labels state vitamin D in mcg only; IU is not permitted on them (NHC guidance on GB 28050-2025).
Reference intakes
| Value | United States | China | European Union |
|---|---|---|---|
| Label reference valueBasis of the % on labels, fixed by each regulation; not a recommended intake | 20 mcg (800 IU)DV · Adults and children 4+1 | 5 mcg (200 IU); 10 mcg (400 IU) from 16 March 2027 (GB 28050-2025)NRV3 | 5 mcg (200 IU)NRV5 |
| Recommended intake, adults | 15 mcg (600 IU) (19–70); 20 mcg (800 IU) (over 70)RDA · Adults 19+2 | 10 mcg (400 IU) (18–64), 15 mcg (600 IU) (65+)RNI · Adults 18+4 | 15 mcg (600 IU)AI6 |
| Upper intake level | 100 mcg (4,000 IU)UL · Adults 19+2 | 50 mcg (2,000 IU)UL · Adults 18+4 | 100 mcg (4,000 IU)UL7 |
- FDA, 21 CFR 101.9(c)(8)(iv), Daily Values for adults and children 4 years and older
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Vitamin D fact sheet for health professionals (2025)
- GB 28050-2011 General rules for nutrition labelling of prepackaged foods, Appendix A nutrient reference values (NRV); revised value from GB 28050-2025, Appendix A (published 16 March 2025, in force 16 March 2027) (2025)
- Chinese Nutrition Society, Chinese Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs 2023) (2023)
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex XIII Part A, nutrient reference values (consolidated text) (2011)
- EFSA NDA Panel, Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for vitamin D (2016)
- EFSA NDA Panel, Scientific opinion on the tolerable upper intake level for vitamin D (2023)
Label values (DV, NRV) are the reference points behind the percentages on labels. Recommended intakes and upper levels are quoted from the bodies named; they vary by age, sex and life stage, and they are not advice.