Nutrition Diet: What Has Changed About the Serving Sizes on the New Food Labels?

October 18, 2025 •

3 min read

The FDA's most significant food labeling update in over 20 years, implemented from 2020 to 2021, changed what has changed about the serving sizes on the new food labels to reflect how much people actually eat today, not how much they 'should' eat. This was a direct response to shifts in Americans' eating habits and portion consumption over decades.

Quick Summary

Serving sizes on new food labels are based on current consumption habits and appear in a larger, bolder font for clarity. Certain packages now feature dual-column labels, showing nutrition information per serving and per package. These updates aim to provide more realistic and useful nutritional information to consumers.

Key Points

Realistic Portions: New serving sizes are based on current eating and drinking habits, not older, idealized amounts.
Larger, Bolder Text: “Serving Size” and “Calories” are now displayed in a larger, bolder font to be more visible to consumers.
Single-Serving Logic: Packages containing 1-2 servings that are typically consumed in one sitting must now be labeled as a single serving (e.g., a 20 oz soda).
Dual-Column Labels: Larger containers that could be consumed at once or over multiple sittings feature two columns, showing nutritional data per serving and for the entire package.
Impact on Calorie Tracking: The shift to more realistic serving sizes helps consumers more accurately calculate their calorie and nutrient intake.
Contextual Information: Updates to the label, including the serving size changes, are part of a broader effort to provide scientifically-backed, relevant nutritional information.

The Shift from 'Should' to 'Do'

Serving sizes on food labels were previously based on data from the late 1970s and 1980s. Due to changes in Americans' eating habits and larger portion consumption, the FDA updated the Nutrition Facts label. Serving sizes are now based on Reference Amounts Customarily Consumed (RACCs), reflecting current consumption patterns rather than recommended amounts. This provides a more accurate view of nutrient and calorie intake.

Examples of Updated Serving Sizes

New labels feature adjusted serving sizes for various foods and drinks, making the information more relevant to actual consumption. Examples of changes include ice cream from 1/2 cup to 2/3 cup and soda from 8 ounces to 12 ounces. Other serving sizes have also been updated, such as yogurt changing from 8 ounces to 6 ounces to better match common package sizes.

New Labeling for Certain Packages

The FDA now requires a dual-column label for some packages, providing nutrition information both per serving and per package for items that might be consumed in one sitting. Packages between one and two servings, typically eaten at once, are now labeled as a single serving. For certain larger products, dual-column labels help consumers understand the total calorie and nutrient intake if the entire package is consumed.

Visual Design and Emphasis on Key Information

The updated Nutrition Facts label includes visual changes for improved readability. Information like “Calories,” “servings per container,” and “Serving size” are now displayed in a larger, bolder font. The label also features a separate line for "Added Sugars" and requires listing Vitamin D and potassium, while vitamins A and C are no longer mandatory.

Comparing Old vs. New Serving Size Standards

Here is a comparison of key differences between the old and new food label standards:


Feature	Old Label Standards	New Label Standards
Basis for Serving Size	Based on consumption data from the 1970s and 1980s.	Based on modern Reference Amounts Customarily Consumed (RACCs) reflecting current eating habits.
Examples	Serving of ice cream: 1/2 cup; Serving of soda: 8 oz.	Serving of ice cream: 2/3 cup; Serving of soda: 12 oz.
Font for Serving Size	Smaller, less prominent font.	Larger and bolder font for improved readability.
Special Labeling for Package Sizes	Did not account for packages typically consumed in one sitting, even if multi-serving.	Mandates single-serving labeling for packages between one and two servings and dual-column labels for certain larger products.
Nutrient Information	Calories from fat were listed.	Calories from fat were removed, emphasizing the type of fat over the amount.
Added Sugars	Total Sugars included both natural and added sugars, without differentiation.	"Added Sugars" are now listed separately, including a % Daily Value.

Why the Change Matters for Your Diet

The new food labels offer a more realistic basis for making dietary choices. The serving size changes, combined with other updates, provide a clearer picture of nutritional intake.

Better Calorie Awareness: Realistic serving sizes lead to a more accurate understanding of calorie consumption.
Informed Portion Control: Consumers can easily compare their actual portion to the updated serving size, helping them manage intake.
Simplified Label Comparison: Standardized serving sizes make it easier to compare the nutritional content of similar products.
Highlighting Problematic Nutrients: Emphasis on Added Sugars, saturated fat, and sodium helps identify nutrients to limit.

The Broader Context of Nutrition Label Updates

The serving size updates are part of broader FDA revisions to the Nutrition Facts label, which include removing "Calories from Fat" and updating required vitamins and minerals based on current scientific understanding of diet and chronic diseases. These changes aim to provide clear, relevant, and scientifically-backed information to empower consumers to make healthier food choices.

Conclusion

The updated food labels, by basing serving sizes on actual consumption habits, provide consumers with a more realistic tool for understanding nutrition. The inclusion of dual-column labels and a clearer emphasis on calorie count makes the information more practical for dietary planning. Understanding what has changed about the serving sizes on the new food labels is essential for making informed food choices and maintaining a healthy nutrition diet. For more details, consult the {Link: FDA's official resources https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-facts-label/how-understand-and-use-nutrition-facts-label}.

Frequently Asked Questions

The FDA updated serving sizes to reflect what people actually eat and drink today, based on current consumption data. The old standards, from the 1970s and 80s, no longer accurately represented modern eating habits.

A dual-column label is required for certain products that could be eaten in one sitting but contain more than one serving, such as a pint of ice cream. It shows nutritional information per serving and for the entire container to help consumers understand the total calorie and nutrient intake.

Not all serving sizes have increased. While some, like ice cream and soda, have gone up, others have decreased to reflect changes in how products are packaged and consumed. For example, the serving size for yogurt decreased from 8 ounces to 6 ounces.

The more realistic serving sizes can actually help with portion control. By providing a clearer, more honest benchmark of what people typically consume, the label allows consumers to more accurately compare their portion against the label's values and make adjustments if needed.

The new label doesn't recommend how much to eat, but it provides a more accurate tool to inform your choices. It reflects current consumption, allowing you to better track your intake of calories and other nutrients in the context of your overall diet.

Yes, standardizing serving sizes across similar food types makes it easier to compare nutrient and calorie content. For instance, comparing the fat content of two different brands of cereal becomes more straightforward when they are based on consistent reference amounts.

The FDA determined that deficiencies in vitamins A and C are now rare in the American population. Instead, the updated label requires vitamin D and potassium, which are nutrients that many Americans do not get enough of.