Added sugar vs total sugar on labels

Direct answer: Total sugars counts every sugar in the food, including those naturally present in milk or fruit. Added sugars counts only sugars put in during making, like sugar, jaggery, honey or syrups. Indian labels list total sugars and, under FSSAI's 2020 rules, added sugars too. Check both lines, then the ingredients list.

Why are there two sugar lines?

Because the source matters. Milk contains lactose and fruit contains its own sugars; these show up in total sugars even when nothing is added.

What counts as added sugar?

Sugar, jaggery, honey, glucose, invert syrup, malt extract, fruit juice concentrates and similar ingredients added during manufacture.

How can I spot added sugar in the ingredients?

Look for the names above. Several sugar-type ingredients spread across the list can add up, even if none appears first.

What do dietary guidelines say?

ICMR-NIN suggests limiting added sugar to about 20 to 25g a day (Dietary Guidelines for Indians 2024, p. 19). Reading this line is the simplest way to know how much you are getting.

Do sweeteners count as sugar?

No. FSSAI's Labelling and Display Regulations, 2020 define added sugars as monosaccharides and disaccharides added to foods (regulation 5(3)(a)(ii)), so sweeteners like stevia or erythritol are not added sugars. They must be listed in the ingredients (regulation 5(2)). For example, our wafer bars show 0g added sugar per 40g bar and are sweetened with stevia and erythritol, with no maltitol.

FAQ

Can a food have sugar but 0g added sugar?

Yes, if its sugar comes naturally from ingredients like milk.

Is jaggery added sugar?

Yes, when it is added during making.

Sources

• FSSAI, Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, regulations 5(2) and 5(3)(a)(ii) — fssai.gov.in
• FSSAI, Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018 — fssai.gov.in
• ICMR-NIN, Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024 — nin.res.in, Guideline 1, added sugar 20–25g a day, PDF p. 19 / printed p. 2