Overview
Formula Management uses a formula's specific gravity (SG) to convert a formula created using weight-based units of measure into a volume-based measurement.
This is useful when a liquid product requires a volume-based serving size, such as mL, for nutrition labeling or when determining front-of-pack (FOP) warnings.
What Is Specific Gravity?
Specific gravity is the ratio of a substance's density compared with the density of water.
For food manufacturing purposes, water has a specific gravity of 1.0. This means that, approximately, 100 g of water occupies 100 mL.
A formula with a specific gravity greater than 1.0 is denser than water. For example, a formula with an SG of 1.2 is 1.2 times as dense as water. As a result, 100 g of that formula occupies less than 100 mL.
Why Does Specific Gravity Matter?
When you create a liquid formula using weight-based units, Formula Management calculates the nutrition values based on that weight.
However, weight and volume are not interchangeable. If a label requires nutrition information for 100 mL, Formula Management needs to know how much volume corresponds to the formula's weight.
Specific gravity provides the information needed to make that conversion.
For example, if a formula weighs 100 g and has an SG of 1.2:
100 g ÷ 1.2 = 83.3 mL
So, 100 g of the formula occupies approximately 83.3 mL.
Formula Management uses this relationship to calculate the nutrition values for the requested volume-based serving size.
Convert a Weight-Based Formula to a Volume-Based Serving Size
Step 1: Go to the Formulas tab and select the applicable formula.
Step 2: (Optional) Open the Labeling > Nutrition tab to review the current nutrition values based on the formula's existing serving size.
Step 3: Go to Base Recipe > Amount.
Step 4: Enter the new serving size.
Step 5: Select the target unit of measure, such as mL.
Step 6: Enter the formula's Specific Gravity.
Step 7: Select Apply.
Formula Management converts the formula from weight to volume using the specific gravity you entered. The updated nutrient values are reflected on the Nutrition tab and applicable label.
Example: Converting Nutrition Values to 100 mL
Suppose a liquid formula has:
- An original serving size of 100 g
- A specific gravity of 1.2
- 300 calories per 100 g
The 100 g serving occupies approximately 83.3 mL:
100 g ÷ 1.2 = 83.3 mL
To determine the calories for a 100 mL serving:
300 calories ÷ 83.3 mL × 100 mL = approximately 360 calories per 100 mL
Formula Management performs this conversion for the other nutrients as well, so the nutrition information reflects the requested volume-based serving size.