Per FDA Standards when making a Nutrient Claim you can pick the type of group your food falls under.  The difference between Main Dish and Meal Product is 


  • For more information please refer to the FDA link 
  • When you are using the Nutrient Claims feature in our Food Labeling applications you can pick the best selection your food falls under based on the definition below.  


Definition of Main Dish  (info taken from the FDA site shown above)

  • For purposes of making a claim, a "main dish product" shall be defined as a food that:
  • (1) Makes a major contribution to a meal by
  • (i) Weighing at least 6 oz per labeled serving; and
  • (ii) Containing not less than 40 g of food, or combinations of foods, from each of at least two of the following four food groups, except as noted in paragraph (m)(1)(ii)(E) of this section.
  • (A) Bread, cereal, rice, and pasta group;
  • (B) Fruits and vegetables group;
  • (C) Milk, yogurt, and cheese group;
  • (D) Meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, and nuts groups; except that:
  • (E) These foods shall not be sauces (except for foods in the above four food groups that are in the sauces) gravies, condiments, relishes, pickles, olives, jams, jellies, syrups, breadings, or garnishes; and
  • (2) Is represented as, or is in a form commonly understood to be, a main dish (e.g, not a beverage or a dessert). Such representations may be made either by statements, photographs, or vignettes.


Definition of Meal Product  (info taken from the FDA site shown above)

  • For purposes of making a claim, a "meal product shall be defined as a food that:
  • (1) Makes a major contribution to the total diet by:
  • (i) Weighing at least 10 ounces (oz) per labeled serving; and
  • (ii) Containing not less than three 40-g portions of food, or combinations of foods, from two or more of the following four food groups, except as noted in paragraph (l)(1)(ii)(E) of this section.
  • (A) Bread, cereal, rice, and pasta group;
  • (B) Fruits and vegetables group;
  • (C) Milk, yogurt, and cheese group;
  • (D) Meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, and nuts group; except that;
  • (E) These foods shall not be sauces (except for foods in the above four food groups that are in the sauces), gravies, condiments, relishes, pickles, olives, jams, jellies, syrups, breadings or garnishes; and
  • (2) Is represented as, or is in a form commonly understood to be, a breakfast, lunch, dinner, or meal. Such representations may be made either by statements, photographs, or vignettes.