What actually is sugar-free?

According to the FDA, a food is considered “sugar-free” if it contains less than 0.5 grams of sugar per serving. It's important to consider the actual number of servings the food contains, as it may still contain a small amount of sugar, even if it's claimed to be sugar-free. In addition, sugar-free includes natural and added sugars, but it does not include artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols. Check the ingredient list for artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols, which are used to enhance flavor in the absence of sugar.

The most common sources of sugar-free products on food labels include chewing gum, pancake syrup, fruit preserves, candies, and more. The term “sugar-free” is a misnomer, as there may still be a small amount of sugar in such foods. According to regulations, a sugar-free product must contain less than 0.5 g of sugar per serving. On labels, “sugar-free” can also be referred to as “sugar-free”, “sugar-free”, “sugar-free”, “sugar-free” or “trivial source of sugar”.

Shelley Musselman
Shelley Musselman

Avid social media fan. Award-winning coffee specialist. Subtly charming coffee enthusiast. Total bacon fan. Total pizza guru.

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