(OR15-02-24) Method for Defining On-Pack Recommended Portion Sizes for Consumer Guidance

Objectives: Our objective was to develop a methodology to establish portion guidance for packaged foods and beverages, since few countries have regulated serving sizes. To make this globally relevant, we considered regulated serving sizes, portion recommendations from food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG) around the world, and typical consumption habits.

Methods: We tested a broad range of commonly consumed packaged food categories (n=46), including both core (e.g., dairy, mixed dishes, pasta, vegetables) and discretionary (e.g., confectionery, ice cream, condiments) foods. We included 1) regulated serving sizes from nine countries/regions, 2) quantitative portion recommendations from FBDG in 85 countries aggregated into six regions, and 3) median intakes from national food consumption surveys across 29 European countries and Australia. We matched these values to each product category and calculated one median portion size per food category.

Results: Portion size estimates within food categories were generally consistent across sources (25.5% were within a 20% coefficient of variation (CV) and 85.1% were within a 35% CV). The highest consistency was seen for milk, yogurt and yogurt beverages, vegetables, juices, soup, and cookies/biscuits. Variability was within acceptable ranges for mixed dishes, plant-based meat substitutes, porridge, most sauces, confectionery products, crackers, ice cream, and beverages. Widest variation was seen for dry seasonings and certain condiments driven largely by differences in regulated serving sizes for these foods.

Conclusions: A novel methodology incorporating serving regulations, FBDGs and intakes can be used to derive portion recommendations for commonly consumed packaged foods and beverages in line with dietary guidance. The resulting portion recommendations could be used in food label communications for countries where permitted.

Funding Sources: Nestlé Research, Société des Produits Nestlé, Lausanne