Read the exact claim, then check total sugars, the serving size and the ingredients. Do not enter zero just because the front says ‘no added sugar’.
01
What does ‘no added sugar’ tell you?
It is a claim about what was added, not a declaration of zero total sugars. For example, a product may still contain sugars naturally present in milk or fruit. In the EU, the claim excludes added mono- or disaccharides and other foods used for sweetening; naturally present sugars must be indicated. US rules have their own ingredient and processing conditions, so a front-label phrase should not replace the full nutrition panel.
Source: European Commission: nutrition claims02
Does ‘sugar-free’ literally mean zero?
Not necessarily. In the US, the sugar-free threshold is less than 0.5 g sugars per reference amount customarily consumed and per labeled serving, with further conditions. In the EU, the threshold is no more than 0.5 g per 100 g or 100 ml. Those use different bases, so do not apply a US per-serving rule to an EU pack. These are label-reading examples, not a complete compliance guide.
| Market | Sugar amount | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Less than 0.5 g | Reference amount AND labeled serving |
| European Union | No more than 0.5 g | Per 100 g or 100 ml |
03
A yogurt example: compare the numbers, not the slogan
Imagine two 150 g pots. In this invented example, plain yogurt lists 7 g total sugars and 0 g added sugars; a sweetened version lists 13 g total sugars including 6 g added sugars. The plain option is not sugar-free just because none was added. The comparison is useful because the portions match. A smaller pot would need a separate calculation before you could compare like for like.
| 150 g pot | Total sugars | Includes added sugars |
|---|---|---|
| Plain example | 7 g | 0 g |
| Sweetened example | 13 g | 6 g |
04
Can a sugar-free food still taste sweet?
Yes. Sugar substitutes can provide sweetness, so the taste alone does not establish the sugar content. Read the ingredients to understand what is in the product, then look at the whole nutrition panel. A sugar claim does not mean the food has no calories or carbohydrates. It also cannot tell you whether that food suits your preferences or a medical eating plan.
Source: American Heart Association: sugar-free and no added sugar05
Use the claim as a prompt to check, then log
Choose two versions of a food you buy often. Match the portion, read the sugar values and check the ingredients before deciding whether you want a swap. If you use a scanner, make sure the result matches that exact pack and portion. Do not save a zero for total sugars merely because a product says no added sugar. When added-sugar grams are unavailable, keep that uncertainty visible.
- Keep the country and label format in mind when interpreting claims.
- Check sauces, toppings and drinks separately from the main meal.
- Choose something you like enough to eat again; a slogan cannot make that choice for you.
Sources & further reading
- European Commission: Nutrition claims
- 21 CFR 101.60: Nutrient content claims for calorie content
- American Heart Association: Sugar-free vs no added sugar
General educational information; not a medically reviewed treatment plan. Our editorial approach.