Learn about the nutrition facts table and how to use it, including information on serving size and percent daily value (% DV).
Most packaged foods in Canada must have a nutrition facts table, which shows:
The serving size on a prepackaged food is listed at the top of the nutrition facts table.
The serving size on a prepackaged food:
Depending on how much you choose to have, your portion size may or may not match the serving size.
Serving sizes come in common household measurements, such as:
The common household measurement is followed by the metric equivalent in grams (g) or millilitres (mL).
Serving sizes make it easy to:
On single-serving prepackaged foods containing up to 200% of the reference amount for that food, the serving size is the amount in the whole container.
For example, the reference amount for milk is 250 mL. For containers of milk up to 500 mL (200% of 250 mL), the serving size shown in the nutrition facts table is the amount of milk in the entire container. The figure shows a 473 mL carton of milk with a serving size of "Per 1 carton (473 mL)."
For products containing more than 1 serving, also known as multiple-serving prepackaged foods, serving sizes are an amount as close as possible to the food's reference amount.
Serving sizes for these products are based on the type of food, such as:
These factors help make serving sizes more consistent for similar foods. This makes it easier to compare the nutrition information between these foods.
The following examples show how serving size appears depending on the type of food product.
Foods that can be measured, like yogurt, usually display serving size as a common household measurement, such as:
This is paired with its metric equivalent in millilitres (mL) or grams (g). Similar products have the same millilitre or gram amount, which makes them easier to compare.
For example, yogurt has a reference amount of 115 g. This amount of yogurt is what you might eat in 1 sitting. The serving size on all tubs of yogurt is based on 115 g. This makes it easier for you to compare different tubs of yogurt.
Foods that come in pieces, like crackers, or are divided into pieces before eating, like lasagna, show serving size as either:
This is paired with its weight in grams (g). Similar products have the same or very similar gram amounts.
For example, the serving size on cracker boxes is as close to 20 g as possible. This is because 20 g is the reference amount. While the number of crackers may change from product to product, weights should be similar. This makes it easier for you to compare different types of crackers.
Foods like sliced bread show serving size as an amount that is typically eaten in 1 sitting, followed by its weight in grams.
For example, the serving size on a bag of bread shows 2 slices of bread and its weight in grams (g). This reflects that most people eat 2 slices of bread at 1 sitting. This makes it easier for you to compare different types of bread.
The information in the nutrition facts table is based on the serving size.
Use the percent daily value (% DV) to help you make informed food choices. The % DV is a quick reference to tell you if a food product contains a little or a lot of a certain nutrient:
The nutrition facts table can help you to identify nutrients you may want to limit, such as:
The nutrition facts table can also help you to identify nutrients you may want more of, such as:
Learn more about the table of daily values that are used to calculate the % DV.
Follow these steps to compare prepackaged foods:
Some products don't have to display a nutrition facts table, including:
Restaurants and food service businesses don't need to provide a nutrition facts table with their products.
