When you reach for that ice cream tub in your freezer, do you ever wonder about the serving size? Perhaps you aim for half a cup, as labels often suggest. But if you usually scoop out a bit more, you’re not alone. Most people tend to exceed the traditional serving size, and food labels are now catching up to reflect this reality, particularly when it comes to Ice Cream Serving Size.
This shift isn’t just about ice cream. Soft drinks and many other packaged foods are also affected by updated serving size requirements on the Nutrition Facts label. The goal behind these changes is straightforward: to align serving sizes more closely with how people actually eat. This way, the calorie and nutrient information you see on the label provides a more accurate picture of what you’re really consuming.
It’s important to remember that the serving sizes on Nutrition Facts labels aren’t recommendations of how much you should eat. Legally, these serving sizes must reflect the amount of food people typically consume, not dietary guidelines.
Back in 1993, when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first designed the Nutrition Facts label, the standards for determining serving sizes—known as Reference Amounts Customarily Consumed (RACCs)—were based on food consumption surveys from the 1970s and 1980s. These 1993 RACCs guided manufacturers for over two decades in setting serving sizes on their product packaging.
Now, the updated RACCs, which dictate current serving size requirements, are based on more recent data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys conducted between 2003 and 2008. This updated data provides a more contemporary understanding of typical eating habits.
In some instances, these updated reference amounts have decreased. For example, single-serving yogurts are now commonly sold in 6-ounce containers, whereas 8-ounce containers were more typical in the past. Reflecting this trend, the FDA now uses a 6-ounce reference amount for yogurt.
Interestingly, the ice cream serving size has actually increased slightly. It’s no longer based on a half-cup serving. The new standard ice cream serving size is now two-thirds of a cup.
How Package Size Influences Serving Sizes
The FDA has also revised the rules for labeling based on package size, leading to significant changes in how serving sizes are presented. Many food products that were previously labeled as containing “more than one serving” are now required to be labeled as a single serving. This change acknowledges that people are more likely to consume the entire container in one sitting. Examples of this include a 20-ounce soda bottle and a 15-ounce can of soup. Furthermore, many large muffins that were once labeled as two or even three servings will now be considered a single serving, aligning with typical consumption patterns.
For larger packages that could be consumed in one sitting or over multiple occasions—depending on individual appetite—dual-column labeling is now mandatory. This dual-column format presents nutritional information “per serving” and “per package.” This labeling is required when a package contains between two and three times the reference amount customarily consumed. Examples include a 19-ounce can of soup and a 3-ounce bag of chips.
Previously, manufacturers were only obligated to provide calorie and nutrient information per serving. Consumers had to do the math themselves if they ate the entire package. Now, if you decide to eat a whole bag of chips, the label will clearly show the total calories and nutrients for the entire package, making it easier to understand your consumption.
For packages that are clearly intended for multiple servings—those containing more than three servings—dual-column labeling isn’t required. In these cases, manufacturers are only required to label the product “per serving.” Examples include “party size” bags of chips or two-liter soda bottles.
The FDA’s updates to the Nutrition Facts label, particularly regarding ice cream serving size and other food categories, aim to provide consumers with more relevant and understandable information. By aligning serving sizes with actual eating habits, the FDA hopes to empower individuals to make more informed and healthier food choices for themselves and their families.
