Final answer:
One serving of cereal provides 45% of the recommended amount of iron for the general population, based on a 2,000-calorie diet. The Daily Value percentage helps consumers understand the nutrient content in the context of their daily diet.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question is option a. One serving of cereal provides 45% of the recommended amount of iron for the general population. This percentage is based on the Percent Daily Values (%DV) which are calculated for the average adult on a 2,000-calorie diet. These values are guidelines to help people understand the nutritional content of their food in the context of their total daily diet.
It's essential to understand that the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for nutrients can vary based on age, sex, and life stage. For instance, boys and girls between 9 and 13 years old should receive 9 mg of iron per day, whereas the RDA for adult women and men is different. However, the Percent Daily Values on a nutrition label generalize these needs to fit an average profile, which is what the 45% DV for iron pertains to.
The idea that one serving provides a certain percentage of total kilocalories from iron is incorrect, as iron is a micronutrient and does not provide calories. Similarly, option b is incorrect because the Nutrition Facts panel is referring to a single serving, not an entire package.