REFERENCE AMOUNTS

Product CategoryReference AmountLabel StatementExamples of Products
Young Children 1 Through 3 Years of Age 123
Cereals, dry instant15 g- cup(_g)All dry instant cereals, regular and high protein, with or without fruit, including those which have been specially formulated or processed for use by infants up to 12 months of age.
Cereals, prepared, ready-to-serve110 g- cup(s)(_g)All ready-to-serve (e.g., prepared and jarred) cereals, regular and high protein, with or without fruit. including those which have been specially formulated or processed for use by infants up to 12 months of age.
Other cereal and grain products,dry ready-to-eat, e.g., ready-to-eat cereals, cookies, teething biscuits, and toasts7 g for infants and 20 g for young children (1 through 3 years of age) for ready-to-eat cereals; 7 g for all others
- cup(s) (_g) for ready-to-eat cereals; piece(s) (g) for others
Teething biscuits, cookies, pretzels, toasts, zwieback, and any other similar cereal-grain products; ready-to-eat cereals which have been specially formulated or processed for use by infants and/or young children one through three years of age.
Dinners, deserts, fruits,vegetables or soups, dry mix15 gtbsp(s) cup(s)Dry instant dinners, desserts, fruits, vegetables, and soups (e.g., macaroni and cheese dinner mixes, cobbler mixes, pudding mixes, fruit mixes, carrots with rice mixes).
Dinners, desserts, fruits,vegetables or soups, ready-to-serve, junior type indicating that the product is intended for use by older infants.110 gcup(s) (_g): - cup(s) (- (mL)Ready-to-serve (e.g., prepared and jarred) dinners, desserts, fruits, vegetables, and soups which have been specially formulated or processed for use by older infants.Products included in this category are often labeled as "junior," with descriptive terms
Dinners, desserts, fruits,vegetables or soups. ready-to-serve, strained type110 gcup(s) _g): cup(s) (_mL)Ready-to-serve (e.g., prepared and jarred) dinners, desserts, fruits, vegetables, and soups which have been specially formulated or processed for use by younger infants.Products included in this category are often labeled as "strained" or bear other descriptive terms which indicate that the product is intended for use by younger infants.This product category also includes products of this type labeled as "baby food" or not specified as to the target age of the infants,
Dinners, stews or soups for young children, ready-to-serve170 gcup(s) _g): cup(s) (_mL)Ready-to-serve (e.g., prepared and jarred) dinners. stews. and soups which have been specially formulated or processed for consumption by young children one through three years of age. Products included in this category include products labeled as "toddler" and any other descriptive terms which indicate that the product is specially formulated or processed for use by young children
Fruits for young children, ready-to-serve125 g_cup(s) (g)Ready-to-serve (e.g., prepared and jarred) fruits which have been specially formulated or processed for consumption by young children one through three years of age.Products included in this category include products labeled as "toddler" or "finger foods," and any other descriptive terms which indicate that the product is specially formulated or processed for use by young children
Vegetables for young children,ready-to-serve70 gcup(s) (_g)Ready-to-serve (e.g., prepared and jarred) vegetables which have been specially formulated or processed for consumption by young children one through three years of age. Products included in this category include products labeled as "toddler," or "finger foods," and any other descriptive terms which indicate that the product is specially formulated or processed for use by young children.
Eggs/egg yolks, ready-to-serve55 gcup(s) (_g)Ready-to-serve (e.g., prepared and jarred) products whose major ingredient is eggs or egg yolks.
Juices, all varieties120 mL4 fl oz (120 mL)All juices, juice blend, juice drink, nectar, and punch that are marketed to infants.
General Food Supply
BAKERY PRODUCTS:
Bagels, toaster pastries, muffins (excluding English muffins)110 gpiece(s) (_g)All sizes and flavors of bagels (e.g., blueberry. whole wheat, multigrain. mini): toaster pastries with or without fillings or frosting (e.g., strawberry-filling toaster pastry):muffins, with or without fruits, vegetables or toppings (e.g., cranberry muffin, chocolate chip muffin, corn muffin), but excluding English muffins.NOTE: English muffins belong in the "Biscuits, croissants, tortillas, soft bread sticks,soft pretzels, corn bread, hush puppies, scones, crumpets, English muffins" product category. Bagel thins are not considered "bagels" as the term is used in this product category and are included in "Bread (excluding sweet quick type), rolls" product category.
Biscuits, croissants, tortillas, soft bread sticks, soft pretzels, corn bread, hush puppies, scones,crumpets, English muffins55 g- piece(s) (_g)All types of plain or flavored biscuits, croissants, English muffins, and tortillas; soft bread sticks; soft pretzels; cornbread; hush puppies; all flavors of scones with or without additions (e.g., fruits); crumpets.NOTE: For hard bread sticks, see "Crackers that are usually not used as snack, melba toast. hard bread sticks, ice cream cones" product category.
Breads (excluding sweet quick type). rolls50 gpiece(s) (_ for sliced bread and distinct pieces (e.g., rolls):2 oz (56 g/_ inch slice) for unsliced breadAll breads except sweet quick type breads (e.g., breads in this category include white,wheat, rye, multi-grain, raisin, and soda bread); all rolls other than sweet rolls (e.g.,rolls in this category include dinner rolls, hamburger rolls/buns, and hot dog rolls); pita bread; bagel thins.NOTE: Sweet rolls belong to the "Coffee cakes, crumb cakes, doughnuts, Danish,sweet rolls, sweet quick type breads" product category.
Brownies40 gpiece(s) ( g) for distinct pieces; fractional slice (_g) for bulkAll types of brownies.
Cakes, heavyweight (cheese cake: pineapple upside-downcake: fruit, nut and vegetable cakes with more than or equal to 35 percent of the finished weight as fruit, nuts, or vegetables or any of these combinations) 125 g- piece(s) (_g) for distinct pieces (e.g., sliced or individually packaged products); fractional slice (_g) for large discrete unitsAll cheese cakes, pineapple upside-down cake, and all cakes which contain 35 percent or more of fruit, nuts, or vegetables (e.g., Christmas fruit cake). Cakes in this category typically weigh 10 g or more per cubic inch. NOTE: Fruitcake weighs 18 g per cubic inch. which is considered a heavyweight cake.However, the serving size for fruitcake is I 1/2 ounces. See footnote 5 in table 2 of 21 CFR 101.12(b).
Cakes, mediumweight (chemically leavened cake with or without icing or filling except those classified as lightweight cake; fruit, nut. and vegetable cake with less than 35 percent of the finished weight as fruit, nuts,or vegetables or any of these combinations; lightweight cake with icing; Boston cream pie;cupcake; reclair; cream puff) 6
80 g- piece(s) (_g) for distinct pieces (e.g., cupcake);fractional slice (_) g) for large discrete unitsAll chemically leavened cakes with or without icing or filling except those included in the heavyweight or the lightweight cake categories and all cakes which contain less than 35 percent of fruit. nuts, or vegetables (e.g., Boston cream pies, jelly rolls, cupcakes, éclairs, cream puffs, pound cake). Cakes in this category typically weigh 4 g or more per cubic inch but less than 10 g per cubic inch.
Cakes, lightweight (angel food.chiffon. or sponge cake without icing or filling)
55 g- piece(s) (_g) for distinct pieces (e.g., sliced or individually packaged - products); fractional slice g) for large discrete unitsAngel food, chiffon, or sponge cake without icing or filling or other heavy ingredients (e.g., chocolate chips, fruit, nuts. vegetables). Cakes in this category typically weigh less than 4 g per cubic inch.NOTE: Lightweight cakes with the addition of other ingredients (e.g., chocolate chips,fruit, nuts) would be in the "Cakes, mediumweight" product category when the sum of those additional ingredients weigh less than 35 percent of the finished weight of the product or "Cakes, heavyweight" product category if the sum of those additional ingredients weigh more than or equal to 35 percent of the finished weight of the product.
Coffee cakes, crumb cakes,doughnuts, Danish, sweet rolls,sweet quick type breads55 g- piece(s) (_) g) for sliced bread and distinct pieces (e.g.,doughnut); 2 oz (56 g/visual unit of measure) for bulk products (e.g., unsliced bread)All coffee cakes, crumb cakes, doughnuts, Danish, and sweet rolls with or without icing or filling; all sweet quick type breads (e.g., banana nut bread, cranberry nut bread,zucchini bread, pumpkin bread): corn muffin toasties.
Cookies30 g- piece(s) _g)All cookies (e.g., sweet biscuits (such as tea biscuits), lady fingers, biscotti, rugelach).
Crackers that are usually not used as snack: melba toast, hard bread sticks. ice cream cones 15 g- piece(s) (_g)Saltines, soda crackers, oyster crackers; crisp breads: rice crackers (excluding rice cracker snack mixes); melba toast; hard bread sticks: puffed cereal-grain cakes (e.g.,rice. wheat. or corn cakes): all types of ice cream cones and cups.NOTE: The reference amount for crackers and cheese is the reference amount for the ingredient that is represented as the main ingredient plus the proportioned amounts of all minor ingredients.
Crackers that are usually used as snacks30 g- piece(s) (_g)All crackers with the exception of those listed in the "Crackers that are not usually used as snacks: melba toast, hard bread sticks, ice cream cones" product category. This product category includes sweet crackers (e.g., graham or animal crackers) and sandwich crackers (e.g., cheese and peanut butter sandwich crackers).NOTE: The reference amount for crackers and cheese is the reference amount for ingredient that is represented as the main ingredient plus the proportioned amounts of all minor ingredients.
Croutons7 g- tbsp(s) _g); cup(s) (_ g);- piece(s) (_g) for large piecesAll types plain or flavored croutons.
Eggroll, dumpling, wonton. or potsticker wrappers
20 g- sheet (_g): wrapper (_g)All types of wrappers used to make eggroll, dumplings, wonton, or potstickers.
French toast, crepes, pancakes,variety mixes
110 g prepared for French toast,crepes, and pancakes; 40 g dry mix for variety mixes- piece(s) ( g): cup(s) (g) for dry mix
All types and flavors of French toast, crepes, and pancakes, and variety mixes.
Grain-based bars with or without filling or coating, e.g., breakfast bars, granola bars, rice cereal bars40 g- piece(s) (_g)All types of breakfast bars, granola bars, multi-grain bars, trail mix bars, and similar types of products that are made of cereal-grains with or without filling or coating and with or without nuts.NOTE: For toaster pastries, see "Bagels, toaster pastries, muffins (excluding English muffins)" product category.
Pies, cobblers, fruit crisps,turnovers. other pastries
125 g
piece(s) (_g) for distinct -pieces; fractional slice g)for large discrete units
All types of pies, dessert-type turnovers, fruit crisps, and other pastries with or without fruit filling (e.g., cobblers, strudel. cannoli): blintzes.NOTE: Eclairs and cream puffs are included in the "Cakes, mediumweight (chemically leavened cake with or without icing or filling except those classified as lightweight cake: fruit, nut. and vegetable cake with less than 35 percent of the finished weight as cake: fruit, nut. and vegetable cake with less than 35 percent of the finished weight asfruit. nuts, or vegetables; lightweight cake with icing; Boston cream pie: cupcake;eclair: cream puff)" product category.
Pie crust, pie shells, pastry sheets,(e.g., phyllo, puff pastry sheets)
the allowable declaration closest to an 8 square inch surface areafractional slice(s) ( g) for large discrete units: shells (g): fractional sheet(s) (g) for distinct pieces (e.g., Pastry sheet).All types of pie crusts, pie shells, and pastry sheets (e.g., phyllo dough, puff pastry sheets).
Pizza crust55 g- fractional slice (_g)All types of pizza crusts, including bread shells.NOTE: Bread shells are often used in Italian cuisine as a substitution for pizza crusts.
Taco shells, hard30 g- shell(s) (_g)All types of hard taco shells, including tostada shells.
Waffles85 g- piece(s)(_g)All types of waffles with and without additions (e.g., Belgian waffles).
BEVERAGES:
Carbonated and noncarbonated
beverages, wine coolers, water
360 ml12 fl oz (360 mL)Wine coolers (i.e.. containing less than 7% of alcohol); all typcs of bottled water (e.g.. carbonated, mineral and spring water); regular, light (lite or reduced calorie), or no calorie (zero calorie or diet) for all types of carbonated drinks (e.g., soft drinks) and noncarbonated drinks (e.g., energy drinks, sports drinks), except for those beverages specified in the following product categories: "Coffee or tea, favored and sweetened," -Eggnog?' "Milk. milk-substitute beverages, milk-based drinks. e.g.. instant breakfast. meal replacement, cocoa, soy beverage," "Shakes or shake substitutes. e.g.. dairy shake mixes, fruit frost mixes," "Juices, nectars, fruit drinks," "Milk, milk substitute, and fruit juice concentrates (without alcohol), e.g, drink mixers, frozen fruit juice concentrate, sweetened cocoa powder," "Drink mixes (without alcohol); drink mixes, all other types (e.g., flavored syrups and powdered drink mixes)," "Vegetable juice."
Coffee or tea, flavored and sweetened360 mL prepared12 fl oz (360 mL)Dry instant coffee with sugar and/or cream or cream substitute; coffee or tea, ready-todrink (e.g., ice coffee, mocha, cappuccino); iced tea mixed with sugar.
CEREALS AND OTHER GRAIN PRODUCTS:
Breakfast cereals (hot cereal type), hominy grits
I cup prepared. 40 g plain dry cereal; 55 g flavored, sweetened
cereal
_ cup(s) (_ g)All types of hot breakfast cereals (regular, quick, and instant), plain and flavored, with or without sweetener and/or fruits or nuts; and cereal-grains that are used as hot breakfast cereals (e.g., hominy grits. oatmeal, buckwheat groats. cornmeal mush, millet, cream of rice, cream of wheat, cream of rye, oat bran cereal, rolled wheat).
Breakfast cereals, ready-to-eat. weighing less than 20 g per cup. c.g., plain puffed cereal grains
15 g_ cup(s) (_ g)
All ready-to-eat breakfast cereals that weigh less than 20 g per cup (e.g.. corn puffs. puffed rice, puffed wheat).
Breakfast cereals, ready-to-cat. weighing 20 g or more but less than 43 g per cup; high fiber cereals containing 28 g or more of fiber per 100 g
40 g_ cup(s)(_g)
All ready-to-eat breakfast cereals that weigh more than 20 g and less than 43 g per cup (e.g.. toasted oats, crispy rice, rice flakes).
Breakfast cereals, ready-to-cat. weighing 43 g or more per cup: biscuit types60g
_ piece(s) _ g) for large distinct pieces (e.g.. biscuit type); _cup(s) _g) for all others
All ready-to-cat breakfast cereals that weigh 43 g or more per cup and, biscuit type ready-to-eat breakfast cereals (e.g.. large shredded wheat biscuit. oat bran, oatmeal squares) with or without additions (e.g., fruits).
Bran or wheat germ15g_ tbsp(s) (_g):. _ cup(s) (_g)All plain brans and wheat germs in raw, toasted. untoasted, or ready-to-eat form.
Flours or cornmeal30g_ tbsp(s) (_g):. _ cup(s) (_g)All wheat and other cereal-grain flours (e.g., rice flour, corn flour) and cornmeal, corn flour. Masa harina.
NOTE: Nut and seed flours are under "Coconut, nut and seed flours" product category.
Grains. e.g.. rice, barley, plain140 g prepared, 45 g dry_ cup(s)(_g)All plain whole grains or non-whole grains (e.g.. rice, wheat, barley, millet. couscous). NOTE: Flavored rice with or without sauce (e.g., dry flavored rice mixes; rice with cream sauce, cheese sauce, tomato-based sauce) belongs to the "Mixed Dishes: measurable with cup" product category.
Pastas, plain140 g prepared; 55 g dry
_ cup(s) (_ g);_ piece(s) L s) for large pieces (e.g., large shells or lasagna noodles) or 2 oz (56 g/visual unit of
measure) for dry bulk products (e.g., spaghetti)
All pastas (e.g., spaghetti, vermicelli, lasagna, macaroni, gnocchi) and noodles (e.g., Mung bean noodles, rice noodles) without sauce or seasoning mixes.
NOTE: Pasta and noodle products with sauce (e.g.. cream sauce, cheese sauce.
tomato-based sauce) or seasoning mix belong to the "Mixed Dishes: measurable with cup" product category.
Pastas. dry, ready-to-eat. e.g.. fried canned chow mein noodles25 g_ cup(s)(_g)All dry ready-to-eat noodles and pastas (e.g.. fried chow mein noodles).
Starches, e.g., cornstarch, potato starch, tapioca. etc.10 g_ tbsp (_ g)All starches including cornstarch, potato starch, and tapioca.
Stuffing100 g_ cup(s)(_g)All types of stuffing, flavored or unflavorcd. including bread stuffing and ricc stuffing.
DAIRY PRODUCTS AND SUBSTITUTES:
Cheese, cottage110 g_ cup(s)(_g)All non-dry cottage cheese (regular, low-fat, or fat-free) with or without fruits. NOTE: Dry cottage cheese belongs in the "Cheese used primarily as ingredients. e.g..dry cottage cheese, ricotta cheese" product category.
Cheese used primarily as ingredients, e.g_ dry cottage cheese, ricotta cheese55g_ cup (_ g)All dry cottage cheese and ricotta cheese.
Cheese. grated hard. e.g.. Parmesan. Romano5 g_ tbsp (_ g)All hard grated cheeses including grated Parmesan and Romano cheese.
Cheese, all others except those listed as separate categories-- includes cream cheese and cheese spread30 g
_ piece(s) L g) for distinct pieces; _ tbsp(s) L g) for cream cheese and cheese spread; 1 oz (28 givisual unit of measure) for bulk
All natural and processed cheese products (including cheese whiz) other than cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, and grated hard cheese (e.g., Brie, cheddar, Colby, mozzarella, muenster).
NOTE: Cheese sauce belongs to the "Minor main entree sauce (e.g.. pizza sauce. pesto
sauce. Alfredo sauce), other sauces used as toppings (e.g.. gravy, white sauce, cheese sauce), cocktail sauce" product category.
Cheese sauce—see sauce category
Cream or cream substitutes, fluid15 ml.I tbsp (15 mL)All types of fluid cream (fat-free, light, and heavy) and cream substitutes (e.g., coffee whitener), including dairy based (e.g., milk) and non-dairy based products (e.g., soy, coconut).
Cream or cream substitutes. powder2 g_ tbsp (_ g)All powdered cream and cream substitutes (e.g.. powdered coffee whitener).
Cream. half & half30 mL2 tbsp (30 mL)Fluid cream containing half cream and half milk.
Eggnog120 mL1/2 cup (120 mL); 4 fl oz (120 mL)All types of eggnog.
Milk, condensed. undiluted30 mL2 tbsp (30 mL)All condensed milk.
Milk, evaporated, undiluted30 mL2 tbsp (30 mL)All evaporated milk.
Milk, milk-substitute beverages. milk-based drinks. e.g., instant breakfast, meal replacement, cocoa, soy beverage240 mLI cup (240 mL.); 8 fl oz (240 mL)All milk, regular and flavored (e.g., chocolate milk) of any fat content: all milk-based meal replacements (e.g.. nutritional shakes); all hot cocoa; malted milk beverages. and all other milk-based beverages (c.g„ breakfast drink) with the exception of milkshakes. Milk-substitute beverages are non-dairy based beverages (e.g., soy, almond, rice, coconut).
NOTE: Milk-based beverages mean that milk and milk-derived ingredients are the major ingredient of the beverage when prepared for consumption. For example. a dry beverage mix product may not contain milk or milk-derived ingredients. However, if the package dirtxtion recommends adding milk to make the beverage for consumption, the product is classified as a milk-based beverage.
Shakes or shake substitutes. e.g., dairy shake mixes, fruit frost mixes240 mLI cup (240 mL); 8 fl oz (240 mL)All milkshakes, dairy-based shake mixes (e.g.. breakfast drink mix), and foamy beverage mixes mimicking shakes such as fruit-based or fruit-flavored shakes (e.g.. fruit frost mix).
Sour cream30 g_ tbsp (_ g)All types of sour cream with all types of fat content.
Yogurt170 g_ cup(s)(_g)All form of yogurts: drinkable, not-drinkable, plain, flavored, and sweetened with or without fruit, nuts. and other ingredients (e.g.. granola) packaged together or in separate compartments that are mixed together for consumption.
Ice cream, frozen yogurt. sherbet, frozen flavored and sweetened ice and pops, frozen fruit juices: all types bulk and novelties (e.g., bars, sandwiches, coneS, cups)2/3 cup —
includes the volume for coatings and wafers
2/3 cup (_ g). _piece(s)(_ g) for individually wrapped or packaged products
All types of bulk and novelties (e.g., bars, sandwiches. cups. slices, cones, pops) ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet, sorbet. frozen custard, and other milk-based frozen desserts: frozen or unfrozen flavored and/or sweetened ice and pops (e.g., popsicles, flavored ice, snow cones); frozen fruit juices and fruit juice novelties. all flavored, with or without fruits or nuts.
Sundae1 cup1 cup (_g)All types of sundaes
Custards, gelatin, or puddlip.,1/2 cup prepared;
amount to make I./2 cup
prepared when dry.
_piece(s)(_g) for distinct unit (e.g., individually packaged products); 1/2 cup (_g)) for bulkAll types of custards, gelatins, mousse, and puddings (flavored and unflavored). All dry mixes with various flavor used to make custards, gelatin or pudding.
NOTE: Frozen custards, gelatins and puddings belong to the product category "Ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet, frozen flavored and sweetened icc, frozen fruit juices; all types bulk and novelties (e.g., bars, sandwiches, cones, cups)."
DESSERT TOPPINGS AND FILLINGS:
Cake frostings or icings2 tbsp_ tbsp (_ g)All types of cake frostings and icings (e.g.. cream cheese frosting, buttercrcam frosting, whipped cream frosting).
Other dessert toppings. e.g.. fruits. syrups. spreads, marshmallow cream, nuts, dairy and non-dairy whipped toppings2 tbsp2 _ tbsp (_ g): 2 tbsp (30 mL)All dessert toppings other than cake frostings and icings (e.g.. butterscotch, caramel. chocolate. fudge, fruit, marshmallow cream, coconut meat and nut topping): dairy and non-dairy whipped toppings (e.g.. whipped cream): dessert spreads (e.g.. chocolate or non-chocolate flavored spread).
NOTE: Chocolate and sugar sprinkles are included in the "Baking decorations, e.g..colored sugars and sprinkles for cookies, cake decorations product category.
Pie fillings85g_ cup(s) (_ g)All pie fillings including fruit, minced meat, and pumpkin pie filling.
EGG AND EGG SUBSTITUTES:
Egg mixtures, e.g., egg foo young, scrambled cggs, omelets110 g
_ piece(s) L g) for discrete pieces: _ cup(s) _ g)
Egg foo young, scrambled eggs. omelets, and other mixtures having eggs as the major ingredient.
Eggs (all sizes)*50 gI large, medium, etc._ g)All whole poultry eggs.
Egg whites, sugared eggs.
sugared egg yolks, and egg substitutes (fresh, frozen, dried)
An amount to make I large (50 g) egg_ cup(s) (_ g): _ cup(s) L mL)All types of egg substitutes, egg mixtures, egg whites, sugared eggs, and sugared egg yolk.
FATS AND OILS:
Butter. margarine, oil, shortening1 tbspI tbsp L g): I tbsp (15 mL)All types of butter and margarine spreads (regular. diet. lite/light, liquid. and whipped): oils: and shortenings.
Butter replacement, powder2g_ tbsp (_ g)Powdered butter replacements (e.g., butter-flavored powder).
Dressings for salads30g_ tbsp (_ g); _ tbsp L mL)All salad dressings except for the following: mayonnaise, sandwich spreads. and mayonnaisc-typc dressings that substitute for mayonnaise (i.e.. mayonnaise-like dressings are excluded from this product category). Types of products included in this category are cheese dressing, Caesar dressing, coleslaw dressing, feta cheese dressing, French dressing, fruit dressing, honey mustard dressing, Italian dressing, Russian dressing, Green Goddess dressing. creamy dressing (e.g.. creamy cucumber, creamy Italian, dressings made with sour cream), buttermilk dressing (e.g., ranch dressing), and Thousand Island dressing.
Mayonnaise, sandwich spreads. mayonnaise-type dressings15 g_ tbsp (_ g)All mayonnaise. sandwich spreads, and mayonnaise-type dressings that substitute for mayonnaise or sandwich spread (e.g.. mayonnaise-like dressings containing less than 65 percent but no less than 30 percent of vegetable oil by weight).
Spray types0.25gAbout _ seconds spray (_g)All types of cooking sprays (e.g., cooking spray olive oil).
FISH. SHELLFISH. GAME,MEATS 9, AND MEAT FOR POULTRY SUBSTITUTES: