servingsize

Serving size, in the context of food labeling, is a defined amount of a food used as the basis for presenting nutritional information. It is a standard unit set by regulators or manufacturers and is not necessarily the amount a person will eat in one sitting. It distinguishes the stated nutrition facts from the actual portion consumed.

Regulatory agencies typically require a declared serving size on the Nutrition Facts label. In the United States, the FDA assigns reference amounts and requires listing of the number of servings per container as well as nutrition values per serving. Similar concepts exist in other regions, though terminology and methods can vary.

Nutrition information is calculated per serving; if a package contains multiple servings, the total nutrition for the product may be greater than the per-serving values. Consumers can estimate their intake by multiplying the per-serving numbers by the number of servings they consume. Labels may also show per-package values for convenience.

Common serving sizes vary by product category: for example, cereals, beverages, and dairy often use standard measures such as grams, milliliters, or cup equivalents. The declared serving size may be smaller or larger than a typical portion depending on packaging or marketing practices.

Understanding serving size helps with product comparison and diet management, but it can be misleading if readers focus on per-package totals rather than per-serving values. Always check the stated serving size and perform the calculation to estimate intake accurately.