Table of Reference Amounts for Food

From: Health Canada

Overview

This document sets out reference amounts for different categories of foods.

Reference amounts:

  • represent the amount of food typically consumed in one eating occasion;
  • are used to determine what is considered to be a single-serving prepackaged product;
  • serve as the basis for determining the serving size to be shown in the Nutrition Facts table (NFt) of multiple-serving prepackaged products;
  • serve as part of the criteria for making nutrient content claims and health claims; and
  • factor into the requirements for the new front-of-package nutrition symbol.

Also provided are instructions on how to determine the serving size for the nutrition facts table.

This document is incorporated by reference in the Food and Drug Regulations. This Table is the most current version and was published November 24, 2022. A prepackaged product can continue to be labelled in accordance with the previous version of this document (dated December 14, 2016) until December 31, 2025.

To facilitate future updates to the Table of Reference Amounts for Food, stakeholders are encouraged to submit proposals for potential amendments to nut.labelling-etiquetage@hc-sc.gc.ca. The type of information that is required to accommodate such proposals depends on the request. For example, an update to an existing reference amount would require consumption data to justify a change. However, if the proposal is to add a new food to the Table of reference amounts for food, the following information can be provided to inform the requested change:

  • a recommendation for a reasonable serving size;
  • information on the intended/usual use of the food;
  • label information from the same or similar foods currently on the market; and
  • consumption data.

Who this document is for

  • food industry
  • other interested stakeholders

In this document

Definitions

  1. Bakery Products and Substitutes
  2. Beverages
  3. Cereals, Other Grain Products and Substitutes
  4. Dairy Products and Substitutes
  5. E. Desserts
  6. Dessert Toppings and Fillings
  7. Eggs and Egg Substitutes
  8. Fats and Oils
  9. Marine and Fresh Water Animals and Substitutes
  10. Fruit and Fruit Juices
  11. Legumes
  12. Meat, Poultry, Their Products and Substitutes
  13. Miscellaneous Category
  14. Combination Dishes Including Main Dishes
  15. Nuts and Seeds
  16. Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes and Yams
  17. Salads
  18. Sauces, Dips, Gravies and Condiments
  19. Snacks
  20. Soups
  21. U. Sugars and Sweets
  22. Vegetables
  23. Foods Intended Solely for Children Under Four Years of Age
  24. Meal Replacements and Nutritional Supplements

Notes

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Related documents

Related acts and regulations

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