Changes to the serving size
Important notice: The information on this web page is under review.
We’ve made improvements to the serving size information on food labels based on feedback from consumers and stakeholders. Learn about these changes.
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Changes to serving size
The changes to serving size are based on regulated reference amounts, which represent the amount of food typically eaten by consumers in one occasion.
Serving sizes will also be more consistent, making it easier to:
- compare similar foods
- know how many calories and nutrients are being consumed
The changes are different for single-serving and multiple-serving prepackaged foods.
Single-serving prepackaged foods
On single-serving prepackaged foods containing up to 200% of the reference amount for that food, the serving size will be the amount in the whole container.
As an example, the reference amount for milk is 250 mL. For containers up to 500 mL (200% of 250 mL), the serving size shown will be the amount of milk in the entire container. As the following figure demonstrates, on a 473 mL carton of milk, the serving size will be shown as ‘Per 1 carton (473 mL).’
Figure 1. Single-serving prepackaged foods
Figure 1 – Text Description
Shown here are two images of a 473 mL milk carton, each showing a mock-up of the top portion of a Nutrition Facts table.
In the Nutrition Facts table of the first milk carton image, illustrating the original situation, the serving size is listed as “Per 1 cup, open parenthesis, 250 mL, close parenthesis”. In the Nutrition Facts table of the second milk carton image, illustrating the new situation, the serving size is listed as “Per 1 carton, open parenthesis, 473 mL, close parenthesis”.
Multiple-serving prepackaged foods
On prepackaged products that contain more than one serving (also known as multiple-serving prepackaged foods), serving sizes will be in an amount as close as possible to the food’s reference amount.
Serving sizes for these products are based on the type of food, such as:
- foods that can be measured
- foods that come in pieces or are divided
- amounts of foods that are typically eaten in one occasion
These factors help the food industry make serving sizes more consistent for similar foods.
The following examples show how serving size will appear depending on the type of food product.
1. Foods that can be measured
For foods that can be measured, like yogurt, the serving size will be shown as a common household measurement, such as:
This will be paired with its metric equivalent in millilitres (mL) or grams (g). Similar products will have the same millilitre or gram amount, which will make them easier to compare.
For example, yogurt has a reference amount of 175 g. This amount of yogurt is what you might typically eat at one sitting. So, the serving size on all tubs of yogurt will be based on 175 g. Having a consistent serving size makes it easier for you to compare different tubs of yogurt.
Figure 2. Foods that can be measured
Figure 2 – Text Description
Shown here are four images of large tubs of yogurt, each showing a mock-up of the top portion of a Nutrition Facts table.
In the Nutrition Facts tables of the first two yogurt images illustrating the original situation, the serving size of yogurt A is listed as “Per 1, forward slash, 3 cup open parenthesis, 100 lowercase g, close parenthesis” and the serving size of yogurt B is listed as “Per 1, forward slash, 2 cup open parenthesis, 125 lowercase g, close parenthesis”. A small bowl appears next to yogurt A and a larger bowl appears next to yogurt B. Together, these images show that the serving sizes of yogurts A and B are hard to compare when they are different.
Below this are the Nutrition Facts tables of the second two yogurt images illustrating the situation under the new criteria. The serving sizes of both yogurt A and yogurt B are listed as “Per 3, forward slash, 4 cup open parenthesis, 175 lowercase g, close parenthesis”. The same size bowl appears next to both yogurts A and B. Together, these images show that the serving sizes of yogurts A and B are easier to compare when they are the same.
2. Foods that come in pieces or are divided
For foods that come in pieces like crackers, or are divided into pieces before eating like lasagna, the serving size will be shown as either:
- the number of pieces or
- as a fraction of the food
This will be paired with its weight in grams. Similar products will have the same or very similar gram amounts.
For example, the serving size on cracker boxes will have to be as close to 20 g as possible. This is because 20 g is the reference amount. While the number of crackers may change from product to product, weights will be very similar. This will make it easier for you to compare different types of crackers.
Figure 3. Foods that come in pieces or are divided
Figure 3 – Text Description
Shown here are four images of cracker boxes, each showing a mock-up of the top portion of a Nutrition Facts table.
In the Nutrition Facts tables of the first two cracker box images illustrating the original situation, the serving size of crackers A is listed as “Per 8 crackers open parenthesis, 28 lowercase g, close parenthesis” and the serving size of crackers B is listed as “Per 8 crackers open parenthesis, 14 lowercase g, close parenthesis”. A justice scale holding the number of crackers shown in the serving sizes appears in between the cracker boxes. The scale is tipped to the cracker A side as it has a larger serving size in weight than cracker B. Together, these images show that crackers A and B are hard to compare when the weight of the serving sizes are different.
Below this are the Nutrition Facts tables of the second two cracker box images illustrating the situation under the new criteria, the serving size of crackers A is listed as “Per 6 crackers open parenthesis, 21 lowercase g, close parenthesis” and the serving size of crackers B is listed as “Per 11 crackers open parenthesis, 19 lowercase g, close parenthesis”. A justice scale holding the number of crackers shown in the serving sizes appears in between the cracker boxes. The scale is balanced as a serving of crackers A and B have very similar weights. Together, these images show that crackers A and B are easier to compare when the weight of the serving sizes are very close.
3. Amounts of foods that are typically eaten in one occasion
For certain foods like sliced bread, the serving size will reflect the way they’re typically eaten in one occasion, followed by its weight in grams.
For example, the serving size on a bag of bread will show 2 slices of bread and its weight in grams. This reflects that most people eat 2 slices of bread at one time. This will make it easier for you to compare different types of bread.
Figure 4. Amounts of foods that are typically eaten in one occasion
Figure 4 – Text Description
Shown here are four images of loaves of bread, each showing a mock-up of the top portion of a Nutrition Facts table.
In the Nutrition Facts tables of the first two images of loaves of bread illustrating the original situation, the serving size of bread A is listed as “Per 1 slice open parenthesis, 45 lowercase g, close parenthesis” and the serving size of bread B is listed as “Per 2 slices open parenthesis, 76 lowercase g, close parenthesis”. One thick slice appears below bread A and two thin slices appear below bread B. Together, these images show that the serving sizes of breads A and B are hard to compare when they are based on a different number of slices.
Below this are the Nutrition Facts tables of the second two images of loaves of bread illustrating the situation under the new criteria. The serving size of bread A is listed as “Per 2 slices open parenthesis, 90 lowercase g, close parenthesis” and the serving size of bread B is listed as “Per 2 slices open parenthesis, 76 lowercase g, close parenthesis”.
Two thick slices appear below bread A and two thin slices appear below bread B. Together, these images show that the serving sizes of breads A and B are easier to compare when they are based on the same number of slices.
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