August 2023 — 1
What’s in it for you?
Added Sugars on the
Nutrition Facts Label
Information about added sugars is required on the Nutrition Facts label.
Along with all information on the Nutrition Facts label, the amount of added sugars
is important to consider when choosing foods and beverages.
What Are Added Sugars
and How Are They Different
from Total Sugars?
Total sugars include sugars naturally present in
many nutritious foods and beverages, such as sugar in
milk and fruits as well as any added sugars that may be
present in the product. There is no Daily Value* for total
sugars because no recommendation has been made for
the total amount to eat in a day.
Added sugars include sugars that are added during
the processing of foods (such as sucrose or dextrose),
foods packaged as sweeteners (such as table sugar),
sugars from syrups and honey, and sugars from con-
centrated fruit or vegetable juices. They do not include
naturally occurring sugars that are found in milk, fruits,
and vegetables. The Daily Value for added sugars is 50
grams per day based on a 2,000 calorie daily diet.
For most Americans, the main sources of added sugars
are sugar-sweetened beverages, baked goods, desserts,
and sweets.
*The Daily Values are reference amounts (in
grams, milligrams, or micrograms) of nutrients
to consume or not to exceed each day.
August 2023 — 2
Learn more about the Nutrition Facts label at: www.FDA.gov/NutritionFactsLabel
Why Are Added Sugars Listed on the
Nutrition Facts Label?
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends limiting calories from added sugars to less than
10 percent of total calories per day. For example, if you consume a 2,000 calorie daily diet, that
would be 200 calories or 50 grams of added sugars per day. Consuming too much added sugars can
make it difcult to meet nutrient needs while staying within calorie limits. Added sugars are listed on
the Nutrition Facts label so that you can make informed choices, based on your individual needs
and preferences.
How Are Added Sugars Listed on the
Nutrition Facts Label?
Labels for foods and beverages with added sugars list the number of grams and the percent Daily
Value (%DV) for added sugars within the Nutrition Facts label.
Having the word “includes” before added sugars on the label indicates that added sugars are
included in the number of grams of total sugars in the product.
For example, a container of yogurt with added sweeteners, might list:
This means that one serving of the product has 7 grams of added sugars and 8 grams of naturally
occurring sugars – for a total of 15 grams of sugar. The 7g of added sugars represents 14% of the
Daily Value for added sugars.
Exception: Labels on packages and containers of single-ingredient sugars and syrups
such as table sugar, maple syrup, or honey list the percent Daily Value for added sugars
within the Nutrition Facts label, and the gram amount per serving and %DV may be
included in a footnote. Single-ingredient sugars and syrups are labeled in this way so
that it does not look like more sugars have been added to the product and to ensure that
consumers have information about how a serving of these products contributes to the
Daily Value for added sugars and to their total diet.
August 2023 — 3
Learn more about the Nutrition Facts label at: www.FDA.gov/NutritionFactsLabel
Single-ingredient sugars and syrups label
This shows the %DV for added sugars in
single-ingredient sugars and syrups.
Single-ingredient sugar and syrup products may also
include a footnote with information on the gram amount
and %DV for added sugars.
Let the Nutrition Facts Label Be Your Guide
The new Nutrition Facts label can help you compare and choose foods that are lower in added sugars.
Check the label to see if foods are LOW or HIGH in added sugars.
• 5% DV or less is a LOW source of added sugars
• 20% DV or more is a HIGH source of added sugars
Do I Need to Give up Added Sugars?
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans states that a limited amount of added sugars can be included as
part of an overall healthy eating pattern that includes healthy choices from each of the MyPlate food
groups (vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy, and protein foods). It is important to remember that added sugars
is just one piece of information on the label. Looking at the ingredient list and reading all the information
on the Nutrition Facts label can help you make the most informed choices.
