KiloMatePercentage daily intake on Australian food labels
Percentage daily intake (%DI) tells you how much of a reference day's energy or nutrient one serve provides. The energy reference is 8,700 kJ, about 2,079 calories, which the label describes as an average adult diet. It is a yardstick for comparing foods, not a target for you.
How it works
The footnote on an Australian nutrition information panel says percentage daily intakes are based on an average adult diet of 8,700 kJ, and that your daily intake may be higher or lower depending on your energy needs. That wording is in the example panel in Schedule 12 of the Food Standards Code, as amended in 2015. Check the current compilation on legislation.gov.au for the latest text.
Quick reference for energy
| % of 8,700 kJ | Kilojoules | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 5% | 435 kJ | 104 cal |
| 10% | 870 kJ | 208 cal |
| 15% | 1,305 kJ | 312 cal |
| 20% | 1,740 kJ | 416 cal |
| 25% | 2,175 kJ | 520 cal |
| 30% | 2,610 kJ | 624 cal |
| 50% | 4,350 kJ | 1,040 cal |
Calculated from 8,700 kJ and 1 calorie = 4.184 kJ (the thermochemical calorie, NIST SP 811).
Using it without over-reading it
%DI is handy for comparing two products side by side: pick the one with the lower percentage for the thing you're watching. It says nothing about what you personally need. A tall, active lifter and a small, sedentary adult can both eat a "100%" day and be well off from their own maintenance. Work out your own number with the TDEE calculator, then use %DI only to compare foods.
Fast food works the same way. Fast-food menus are listed in kJ and calories on our fast-food calories pages, so you can see what share of a day a meal takes up.
Questions
What is 100% daily intake in kJ?
8,700 kJ, which is about 2,079 calories (8,700 ÷ 4.184). It is a reference figure for an average adult, not a target.
Is 8,700 kJ what I should eat?
Not necessarily. The label says it is based on an average adult diet and that your own needs may be higher or lower, depending on things like your size, age, sex and activity. The calorie calculator on this site gives a personal estimate.
How do I work out the % daily intake myself?
Divide the kJ in a serve by 8,700 and multiply by 100. A snack with 1,000 kJ is about 11.5% of 8,700 kJ.
Why do labels use kilojoules?
Australian nutrition information panels show energy in kilojoules. Calories can be added, but kilojoules are the standard. To convert, divide kJ by 4.184.
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