Researchers used %DV from labels to rank foods by nutrient density across a population with widely varying age, sex, and energy needs. Which critique best identifies a limitation of this method?

• A. Label %DVs provide precise measures of nutrient bioavailability and therefore overestimate the need for further laboratory analysis in population studies.
• B. Using %DV is flawless because it already accounts for population variance and individual adjustments are unnecessary when ranking foods for public health interventions.
• C. Using %DV alone can misrepresent nutrient adequacy across individuals because %DVs are standardized to a 2,000 kcal reference and do not adjust for individual energy needs, age, sex, or clinical requirements—thus ranking may be biased for groups whose needs differ systematically from 2,000 kcal.
• D. Because %DVs are not printed on labels for any micronutrients, researchers cannot use %DV to compare nutrient density and should rely solely on ingredient lists.

Answer: (C)