In 2016 the Nutrition Facts food panel (NFP) was updated to include potassium. It became mandatory in 2020 to list potassium on the NFP. The nutrient was added due to a public health concern of widespread underconsumption of potassium in the U.S. population.  It is an essential nutrient for health.

Potassium has been identified to help maintain blood pressure, preserve calcium stores in bone, and help the kidneys work efficiently. The International Food Information Council (IFIC) has a fantastic fact sheet that gives more information on potassium’s effect on human health and the best food sources to consume to increase potassium levels. Cooked beet greens, potatoes baked in skin, prune juice, and white beans are a few examples of foods with high amounts of potassium. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans provides an extensive chart of food sources of potassium.  

The Nutrition Facts panel shows the amount of potassium in milligrams (mg) per serving, as well as the percent daily value (%DV) a serving size provides. The %DV is based on the recommended daily intake of potassium of 4,700 milligrams for healthy adults.

The National Institutes of Health has a helpful Potassium Fact Sheet for Consumers. If you’re curious about potassium on the NFP, please reach out to On The Menu for more information.