No added sugar is not the same as sugar-free

In the European Union, Regulation 1924/2006 sets conditions for the claim "with no added sugars". In particular, the product must not contain added monosaccharides, disaccharides or other food used for its sweetening properties.

That does not establish that the product is low in sugar or energy, or suitable for every dietary need.

A product can contain sugars that were not added. The regulation provides for a statement about naturally occurring sugars when applicable. The "of which sugars" line in the nutrition table helps identify the total amount.

"Sugars-free" is a different claim: it requires no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml. It is not a synonym for "no added sugars".

The French consumer authority DGCCRF stresses that nutrition and health claims must not mislead consumers. Prominent packaging can draw attention to one property while distracting from the overall composition.

Additional provisions can apply to specific product categories. A general explainer does not replace checking the rules for the particular food.

Different portion sizes or concentrations can make front-of-pack comparisons unreliable. Compare similar foods per 100 g or 100 ml first, then consider how much is actually consumed.

Sugar alone is not a complete nutritional assessment. Other nutrients and the product's role within a varied diet matter too.

Read the precise claim, the nutrition table and the ingredients list. Compare products of a similar nature rather than directly comparing a dry food with a drink.

For a medical condition or prescribed diet, general label-reading information is not individual advice. The aim here is to interpret a claim, not to classify every food as good or bad.