{"dataset":"US Nutrition Label Rules","version":"17.0.0","cfr_snapshot_date":"2026-02-12","source":"FDA 21 CFR 101.9 (Nutrition labeling of food)","url":"https://bettermenu.live/tools/label-formats/dual-column-as-prepared/","md_url":"https://bettermenu.live/tools/label-formats/dual-column-as-prepared.md","slug":"dual-column-as-prepared","format_keys":["dual_column_forms"],"name":"As prepared column","title":"As Prepared Column Nutrition Facts Label","answer":"You may add a column for the food as prepared, or as eaten with another food, beside the column as packaged. The label must then give the other ingredients and the directions.","rule":"optional","rule_summary":"Allowed for foods prepared before eating","citations":[{"cite":"21 CFR 101.9(e)","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(e)"},{"cite":"21 CFR 101.9(h)(4)","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(h)(4)"}],"in_studio":false,"check":{"condition":"Allowed if the food is prepared before eating, or eaten with another food.","questions":[{"id":"prepared","question":"Is it prepared before eating, or eaten with another food?","options":[{"id":"yes","label":"Yes"},{"id":"no","label":"No"}]}],"assumed":[]},"differs_from_standard":["A column for the food as prepared sits beside the column as packaged.","Both columns get equal prominence. The label names what to add and how to prepare it."],"callouts":[{"text":"As prepared column","cite":"21 CFR 101.9(h)(4)","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(h)(4)"},{"text":"Equal prominence for both","cite":"21 CFR 101.9(e)","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(e)"}],"daily_values":[],"all_daily_values":[],"sections":[{"id":"replaces","heading":"It can stand in for a per-package column","text":"A package that holds 200% to 300% of its reference amount needs no per-package column when the label gives an as prepared column.","citations":[{"cite":"21 CFR 101.9(b)(12)(i)(C)","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(b)(12)(i)(C)"}]}],"fda_sample_labels":[{"graphic":"er21de18.010","title":"Two forms of the same food","image":"https://bettermenu.live/tools/label-formats/fda/er21de18.010.png","cite":"21 CFR 101.9(e)(5)","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(e)(5)","federal_register":"83 FR 65493","federal_register_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/12/21/2018-27431/food-labeling-revision-of-the-nutrition-and-supplement-facts-labels-technical-amendments","values_illustrative":true}],"related":[{"slug":"dual-column","url":"https://bettermenu.live/tools/label-formats/dual-column/"},{"slug":"per-100g-column","url":"https://bettermenu.live/tools/label-formats/per-100g-column/"},{"slug":"standard-vertical","url":"https://bettermenu.live/tools/label-formats/standard-vertical/"}],"quotes":[{"cite":"21 CFR 101.9(e)","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(e)","text":"Nutrition information may be presented for two or more forms of the same food (e.g., both “as purchased” and “as prepared”) or for common combinations of food as provided for in paragraph (h)(4) of this section, for different units (e.g., slices of bread or per 100 grams) as provided for in paragraph (b) of this section, or for two or more groups for which RDIs are established (e.g., both infants through 12 months of age and children 1 through 3 years of age) as shown in paragraph (e)(5) of this section.","excerpt":false},{"cite":"21 CFR 101.9(e)","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(e)","text":"When such dual labeling is provided, equal prominence shall be given to both sets of values.","excerpt":false},{"cite":"21 CFR 101.9(h)(4)","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(h)(4)","text":"If a food is commonly combined with other ingredients or is cooked or otherwise prepared before eating, and directions for such combination or preparations are provided, another column of figures may be used to declare nutrition information on the basis of the food as consumed in the format required in paragraph (e) of this section","excerpt":true},{"cite":"21 CFR 101.9(h)(4)","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(h)(4)","text":"Provided, that, the type and quantity of the other ingredients to be added to the product by the user and the specific method of cooking and other preparation shall be specified prominently on the label.","excerpt":true},{"cite":"21 CFR 101.9(b)(12)(i)(C)","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(b)(12)(i)(C)","text":"This provision does not apply to products that require further preparation and provide an additional column of nutrition information under paragraph (e) of this section, to products that are commonly consumed in combination with another food and provide an additional column of nutrition information under paragraph (e) of this section, to products that provide an additional column of nutrition information for two or more groups for which RDIs are established (e.g., both infants and children less than 4 years of age), to popcorn products that provide an additional column of nutrition information per 1 cup popped popcorn, or to varied-weight products covered under paragraph (b)(8)(iii) of this section.","excerpt":false}],"faq":[{"id":"prepared-when","question":"When can I add an as prepared column?","answer":"When the food is cooked or otherwise prepared before eating, or commonly eaten with another food, and the label gives the directions.","citations":["21 CFR 101.9(h)(4)","21 CFR 101.9(e)"]},{"id":"prepared-directions","question":"What must the label say with an as prepared column?","answer":"The type and amount of each other ingredient, and how to cook or prepare the food. These must be prominent on the label.","citations":["21 CFR 101.9(h)(4)"]},{"id":"prepared-replace","question":"Does an as prepared column replace a per-package column?","answer":"It can. A package that holds 200% to 300% of its reference amount needs no per-package column when it gives an as prepared column.","citations":["21 CFR 101.9(b)(12)(i)(C)"]},{"id":"prepared-percentage","question":"How do I work out the percentage?","answer":"Divide the amount in one package, or one unit, by its reference amount and multiply by 100. An 850 mL bottle of iced tea, with the 360 mL reference amount for sweetened tea in 21 CFR 101.12(b), is 850 ÷ 360 × 100 = 236%. That is between 200% and 300%, so it needs the second column.","citations":["21 CFR 101.9(b)(12)(i)"]}]}