Abstract
The presentation of nutrition information on a serving size basis is a strategy that has been adopted by several countries to promote healthy eating. Variation in serving size, however, can alter the nutritional values reported on food labels and compromise the food choices made by the population. This narrative review aimed to discuss (1) current nutrition labelling legislation regarding serving size and (2) the implications of declared serving size for nutrition information available on packaged foods. Most countries with mandatory food labelling require that serving size be presented on food labels, but variation in this information is generally allowed. Studies have reported a lack of standardisation among serving sizes of similar products which may compromise the usability of nutrition information. Moreover, studies indicate that food companies may be varying serving sizes as a marketing strategy to stimulate sales by reporting lower values of certain nutrients or lower energy values on nutrition information labels. There is a need to define the best format for presenting serving size on food labels in order to provide clear and easily comprehensible nutrition information to the consumer.
Highlights
In recent decades, there has been an increase in the consumption of processed foods [1], especially of ultraprocessed foods [2]
The terms used in the search comprised two categories that were combined: (a) nutrition labelling and (b) packaged foods
A study by Kraemer et al [37] evaluated the nutrition information shown in 1071 processed foods marketed in Brazil and associated the fractionation of common measures with the portions consumed by the Brazilian population and serving sizes declared on labels
Summary
There has been an increase in the consumption of processed foods [1], especially of ultraprocessed foods [2]. The use of terms such as ‘small’, ‘medium’, and ‘large servings’ hinders comprehension, as interpretations of such terms may vary [21] These factors may compromise the usability of nutrition information and the goals of nutrition labelling. In order to stimulate the debate on serving size labelling of packaged foods, this narrative review aimed to discuss [1] current legislation regarding serving size and [2] the implications of variation in serving size for the nutrition information of packaged foods. The terms used in the search comprised two categories that were combined: (a) nutrition labelling (nutrition labelling/food labelling/nutrition facts/nutrition information/serving size/portion size/reference amount customarily consumed) and (b) packaged foods (industrialised foods/packaged foods/processed foods/ultraprocessed foods/industrialised products). The discussion of the current legislation on nutrition labelling, may not represent the totality of countries with laws that require the presentation of serving size on food labels
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