Serving size is the quantity of the product that is to be consumed at once. It is defined in familiar units (cups or pieces) that people can visualize or measure, followed by its weight in grams. The FDA sets general guidelines for serving size in the form of Reference Amounts Customarily Consumed (RACCs) for persons 4 and older.

Example: The RACC establishes that the reference amount for one serving of cereal is 60 grams.

To determine serving size, find the RACC for your type of product in the RACC guide and weigh out your product to that amount. Next, measure it in cups or pieces in order to find the serving size in familiar units. Both of these values will be used on your label.

To determine servings per container, simply divide the total weight of your product by your serving size.

Servings per container should be rounded in the following way:

• Between 2 and 5: Round to the nearest half serving (i.e., 2.35 servings becomes 2.5)
• 5 and over: Round to the nearest serving (i.e., 6.5 servings becomes 7)

Calories per portion can be determined with online nutritional analysis software by simply entering your product recipe and serving size. Total calories and calories from fat are both required.

Calories per serving should be rounded in the following ways:

• Under 50 calories: Round up or down to the nearest 5 increment (i.e., 36 calories becomes 35)
• Over 50 calories: Round up or down to the nearest 10 increment (i.e., 88 calories becomes 90)

The nutrient values you are required to provide include grams per serving and percentages per serving of the following elements, based on a 2,000 calorie per day diet:

 

• Total fat
  • Saturated fat
  • Trans fat
• Cholesterol
• Sodium
• Total carbohydrate
  • Dietary Fiber
  • Sugars
• Protein
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Calcium
• Iron

The quickest and easiest way to obtain these values is by using an FDA-compliant online nutritional analysis software.This way, you just need to enter your recipe, select your serving size, and the nutritional values will be generated for you.

Fats are currently receiving a lot of attention from the FDA. Based on new medical research, the evolving narrative is that not all fats are bad for our health. In the coming years, we can expect to see a shift in the daily values recommended by the FDA.

Total fat, Saturated Fat, and Trans Fat should be rounded in the following way:

• Under 0.5 grams: Round to 0 grams
• 0.5-5 grams: Round to the nearest 0.5 gram (i.e., 1.22 grams becomes 1.5)
• 5 grams and above: Round to the nearest gram (i.e., 1.45 grams becomes 1 gram)

*Note: Cholesterol should be rounded in the same way, only the unit will be in milligrams.

If your product does not contain trans fat, rather than declaring “0 grams of trans fat,” include the following statement: “Not a significant source of trans fat.” This should appear at the bottom of the nutrition facts panel. Also, note that the FDA advises not to provide a % Daily Value for trans fat.

Sodium must be presented in milligrams. It is important to be mindful of the % Daily Value of sodium your product has, as many consumers are trying to limit their sodium intake for health reasons.

Total carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and sugars must be expressed in grams. Sugars do not require a % Daily Value. Low sugar foods are becoming increasingly popular, so it is a good idea to be mindful of how much sugar your product contains. As a reference point, the FDA recommends that no more than 10% or 200 of our daily calories should come from sugars.

Protein content must be given in grams, but the % Daily Value is not required unless a specific Nutrient Content Claim about protein is made on the packaging or if the protein content is very low (less than 1 gram). In the case of very low protein content, include “0%” in the % Daily Value column or provide the following statement: “Not a significant source of protein.”

These are the only four mandatory nutrients on the nutrition facts panel. They must appear in the above order with the % Daily Value present per product serving.

You may include additional vitamin and mineral information, such as Vitamin D or folate if desired. You must include all added nutrient information here as well (i.e., if your product is enriched with vitamins or minerals).

The footnote is the section below the nutrient information that gives context to the product’s detailed nutrient information. The full footnote details the FDA recommended daily values for specific nutrients and is required if the product packaging uses more than 40 square inches for labeling.

The footnote must include:

• The following statement: “Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or
• lower depending on your calorie needs.”
  The following table of daily values: [image of this table]

If the product packaging has less than 40 square inches for labeling, the following footnote statement is all that is required:  

• “Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.”

This information provides the number of calories per gram each serving of the product contains for fat, protein, and carbohydrates. This information is optional.