If you’re selling packaged food in the U.S., the Net Quantity Statement is a key requirement set by the FDA. This statement tells consumers exactly how much of your product they’re purchasing and helps ensure compliance with federal labeling regulations. If you're interested in learning about all the food labeling requirements check out our blog post that breaks down the other required elements.

What Is the Net Quantity Statement?

The Net Quantity Statement is the declaration of the amount of food in a package, expressed in weight, volume, or count. Generally, if the food is solid, semisolid or viscous, it should be expressed in terms of weight. If the food is a liquid it should be expressed in fluid measure (e.g., fl oz). According to FDA regulations (21 CFR 101.105), the net quantity statement must:

• Be placed in the lower 30% of the front panel (also called the principal display panel) and the text needs to be parallel to the base on which the package rests.
• Display U.S. customary and metric units (e.g., "Net Wt. 16 oz (454g)" or "Net 12 fl oz (355mL)").
• Be prominent and legible, with font size requirements based on package size.

ReciPal's Net Quanitity Statement Calculator

We've built a simple calculator where you can enter your food type and weight (or volume) of your product and it immediately generates the net quantity statement for you. We've selected the format we think works best for most use cases, however, the FDA allows for a few different ways to present net quantity statements so you can learn more about the rules if you're interested.

Download The Net Quantity Statement Calculator

FDA Guidelines for Compliance

To meet FDA requirements, food businesses must follow these rules when formatting their Net Quantity Statement:

• Weight-Based Products: Use ounces and pounds for solids and the term “net weight” or “net wt.”. (e.g., "Net Wt. 8 oz (226g)").
  
  
  • If the package contains less than 4 pounds, it will be expressed in ounces with pounds in parentheses, if applicable.
    • Net Wt. 24 oz (1 lb 8 oz) 680g
      
      
  • If the package contains 4 pounds or more, the declaration shall be expressed in pounds with any remainder in terms of ounces or common or decimal fraction of the pound.
    • Net Wt. 5 lb (2.26 kg)
      
      

• Liquid Products: Use fluid ounces, pints, quarts, or gallons and the term “net” or net contents”. It is ok to distinguish ounce from fluid ounce through association of terms; for example, “Net wt. 16 oz” or “16 oz Net wt.” and “16 fl oz” or “Net contents 6 fl oz”. (e.g., "Net 16 fl oz (1 pt) 473mL").
  
  
  • If the package contains less than 1 gallon, it will be expressed in the largest whole units (quarts, quarts and pints, or pints, as appropriate) with any remainder in terms of fluid ounces.
    • Net 32 fl oz (1 qt) 946 mL
      
      
  • If the package contains 1 gallon or more, it shall be expressed in the largest whole unit (gallons followed by common fraction or decimal of a gallon or by the next smaller whole unit (quarts, or quarts and pints)).
    • Net Contents 2.5 gallons (9.46L)
      
      

Why It Matters

Ensuring your Net Quantity Statement follows FDA regulations is crucial to avoid misbranding violations, consumer confusion, and potential penalties. Non-compliant labels can result in product recalls or enforcement actions.

Need help creating FDA-compliant labels? ReciPal makes it easy to generate accurate nutrition labels that meet all FDA requirements.