If you manufacture beverages, you’re probably aware that the FDA reference amounts customarily consumed (RACC) for beverages is 12 fluid ounces. (Fruit juice, milk, and milk-based drinks’ RACC are eight fluid ounces.) The RACC guides the serving size on a Nutrition Facts panel (NFP). That means the serving size for a Nutrition Facts panel for beverages is 12 fluid ounces or some other unit that makes sense and still follows FDA regulations. What if your bottled beverage is under or over 12 fluid ounces? What then should your serving size be?
Let’s dive into some examples. Below are some standard bottled beverage units with our recommended serving sizes.
Standard Beverage Units & Serving Sizes
- 8 fl oz (.237 liter); 1 bottle/can (237mL)
- 12 fl oz (.355 liter); 1 bottle/can (355mL)
- 16.9 fl oz (.5 liter); 1 bottle/can (500mL)
- 20 fl oz (.590 liter); 1 bottle/can (591mL)
- 24 fl oz (.71 liter); 1/2 bottle/can (355mL) or 12 fl oz (355mL) with “2 servings per container” (This serving size requires a dual NFP with the first column “per serving” and the second column “per container.”)
- 33.8 fl oz (1 liter); 12 fl oz (355mL) with “about 3 servings per container” (This serving size requires a dual NFP with the first column “per serving” and the second column “per container.”)
Units that measure less than two servings, such as half-liter and 20-fluid ounce bottles, require the serving size to be based on the individual unit. A dual Nutrition Facts panel is required on units having between two and three servings of the RACC. In the above examples, this rule applies to the 24-fluid ounce and one-liter bottled beverages. If space on the label doesn’t allow for a dual NFP then a standard label with the serving size based on the individual unit is required. Below are two acceptable NFPs for a 1 liter bottled beverage.
Questions about a Nutrition Facts Panel for beverages? Contact On The Menu for your nutrition labeling needs.
