kcalTag

kcalTag is a metadata tag used to annotate kilocalorie content associated with a food item, recipe, or ingredient within digital nutrition information systems. It functions as a lightweight label intended to support energy calculations, displays, and data exchange in nutrition apps and databases. The tag is not a universally defined standard; rather, it appears in several platforms that implement custom tagging schemes to improve interoperability without overhauling existing data schemas.

In typical implementations, kcalTag comprises a numeric value, a unit marker, and context about how the value should be interpreted. Common fields include value (e.g., 250), unit (kcal), and per (serving or per 100 g). The tag may be serialized in JSON, XML, or other data formats and can be attached to item records, nutrition entries, or API responses. Some systems allow qualifiers such as date, uncertainty, or source.

Adoption of kcalTag varies by platform and is not widely standardized. It is often used alongside conventional energy fields and may require mapping to avoid duplicate counts when different data sources provide energy values. When used, it helps applications present consistent energy information across items from diverse datasets.

Limitations include ambiguity around serving size, potential confusion between kilocalories and calories in casual contexts, and the lack of a formal governing body. Users should verify the interpretation of kcalTag values within a given data source.

Related concepts include calories, kilocalorie, nutrition data standards, and data tagging practices.