Referentiehoeveelheid

Referentiehoeveelheid, in the context of food labeling, is a standard quantity of a food item used to express nutritional values per serving. It is defined to represent the amount of food that is typically eaten in one eating occasion. The referentiehoeveelheid is used alongside the nutrition information shown per 100 grams or per 100 milliliters, enabling consumers to compare products on a per-serving basis as well as by weight or volume.

The referentiehoeveelheid is determined for each product category and, where applicable, specified by regulatory guidance. It should reflect a realistic portion that a consumer might reasonably eat in one sitting and should be chosen to facilitate clear and fair comparison between products. The exact value varies by product and is indicated on the labeling for transparency.

Examples of how referentiehoeveelheden can vary include beverages often using 250 milliliters, and solid foods such as cereals or snacks ranging around 30–50 grams, depending on the category. Because the referentiehoeveelheid differs by product, manufacturers must ensure the displayed per-serving values align with the stated reference amount.

In practice, nutrition labeling on many products presents energy, fats, carbohydrates, sugars, protein, fiber, and sometimes salt both per 100 grams/milliliters and per referentiehoeveelheid. The system aims to improve comparability and consumer understanding of how a serving contributes to daily intake.