Last verified 21 Sept 2026 · generated from 21 CFR 101.9(b) and 101.12(b) by the NutriLabels serving engine · Sources
Cupcake serving size: a fraction of the whole, decided by how much the whole weighs. FDA files cupcake under “Cakes, mediumweight (chemically leavened cake with or without icing or filling except those classified as light weight 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; light weight cake with icing; Boston cream pie; cupcake; eclair; cream puff)”, reference amount 80 g. A product that is usually cut before eating declares the fractional slice (1/8, 1/12 and so on) that comes closest to the reference amount (21 CFR 101.9(b)(2)(ii)).
The declaration
| FDA category | Bakery Products: Cakes, mediumweight (chemically leavened cake with or without icing or filling except those classified as light weight 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; light weight cake with icing; Boston cream pie; cupcake; eclair; cream puff) |
| Reference amount (RACC) | 80 g |
| FDA label statement | __ piece(s) (__ g) for distinct pieces (e.g., cupcake); __ fractional slice (__ g) for large discrete units |
| Single-serving container | Any package under 160 g (5.6 oz) is one serving: the whole package is the serving size (21 CFR 101.9(b)(6)). |
| Dual-column panel | Packages holding 160 g–240 g (5.6 oz–8.5 oz) must show a second column for the whole package (21 CFR 101.9(b)(12)). |
How the fraction is decided
| If the whole weighs | The serving is |
|---|---|
| 480 g | 1/6 whole (80g) |
| 800 g | 1/10 whole (80g) |
| 1120 g | 1/15 whole (75g) |
Only 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, 1/6 and fractions made by dividing those by 2 or 3 are permitted (1/8, 1/9, 1/10, 1/12 …). The one whose slice comes closest to the reference amount wins; an exact tie goes to the larger slice.
What this means for your label
- Cups are written in 1/4- or 1/3-cup steps; tablespoons as 1, 1 1/3, 1 1/2, 1 2/3, 2 or 3; teaspoons as 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1 or 2 (21 CFR 101.9(b)(5)(i)). Any other increment is not permitted.
- A package under 160 g is one serving no matter what: the panel reads “1 serving per container” and the serving size is the whole package.
- All the nutrient values on the panel are per this serving, rounded by 21 CFR 101.9(c). Change the serving and every number changes with it.
Free to build and preview. The print-ready label is $29 for one product, with the serving size, ingredient statement and allergen declaration worked out from the regulation.
Also covers
layer cake · birthday cake · sheet cake · bundt cake · tres leches: all filed under the same FDA category, so the same serving applies.
Related serving sizes
- Cake: a fraction of the whole (RACC 80 g)
Sources
- 21 CFR 101.12: Reference amounts customarily consumed per eating occasion (Table 2).
- 21 CFR 101.9(b), serving size: (b)(2) the three procedures, (b)(5) how the measure is written, (b)(6) single-serving containers, (b)(8) servings per container, (b)(12) dual column.