Using Formula Setup for Labeling

Overview

Accurate nutrition labels depend on how a formula is configured. Before generating labels, review key formula settings that affect nutritional calculations, serving size information, and label outputs.

This article highlights the formula components that have the greatest impact on labeling results.

Create a Formula

Before working with labels, create or open a formula.

For instructions, see How to Create a New Recipe.

Use Appropriate Units of Measure

When adding ingredients to a formula, TraceGains allows you to select either:

  • weight-based or 
  • volume-based units of measure

For the most accurate nutritional calculations, use weight-based units whenever possible.

If you use a volume unit of measure, be sure the ingredient has an appropriate weight-to-volume conversion defined. Without a conversion, nutritional values and label calculations may be incorrect.

Understand Gross and Net Values

Formula Management provides both Gross and Net values.

  • Gross (%) and Gross (g) reflect the formula as originally built.

  • Net (%) and Net (g) reflect any yield adjustments that have been applied, such as:

    • Moisture loss
    • Fat gain

    These adjustments can affect the nutritional values displayed throughout Formula Management and on generated labels.

Configure Labeling Information in the Base Recipe

Many of the settings used for labeling are maintained in the Base Recipe.

To access these settings:

Step 1: Open the Formula. 

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Step 2: Select Base Recipe > Amount.

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Step 3: The base recipe window appears.

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Serving Size

The serving size determines:

  • The per-serving nutrition values displayed on the label
  • Nutrition information shown throughout Formula Management
  • The gram weight displayed on the label
  • The calculated number of servings

Many countries require serving sizes to be based on a regulatory reference amount.

For example, in the United States, serving sizes are generally based on the Reference Amounts Customarily Consumed (RACC).

Example

If the RACC for cookies is 30 g and each cookie weighs 16 g, an appropriate serving size would be:

  • Serving Size: 32 g
  • Household Measure: 2 cookies

Configure Production Information

The Production section contains settings that affect finished-product calculations used throughout Formula Management and in generated nutrition labels.

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The Production section includes:

  • Moisture Loss
  • Fat Gain
  • Total Yield
  • Specific Gravity

For more information, see the following help articles:

Configure Nutritional Labeling Settings

The Nutritional Labeling section contains additional values that impact label generation.

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Serving Size Description

The Serving Size Description is a common household measure displayed alongside the serving size gram weight on the label.

Examples include:

  • 2 cookies
  • 1 cup
  • 1 bar

This field is informational only and does not affect nutritional calculations.

Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS)

Enter a PDCAAS value if you want a Protein % Daily Value (%DV) to appear on applicable nutrition labels.

Use the PDCAAS Calculator [insert hyperlink when ready] to determine the appropriate value.

PER

PER functions similarly to PDCAAS but is used for infant labels.

Additional Labeling Settings (Other)

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Default Decimal Places

Controls the level of precision displayed in:

  • Nutrition tabs
  • Nutrition reports

Product Code and Product URL

Product Code and Product URL values can be used to generate barcodes that appear on the Barcode report.