Sugarwise

International certification authority for sugar claims

The Criteria

Products certified as SUGARWISE must fit into one of the below certification classes. For countries outside the European Union, United States, Australia or Canada, please request individual country guidance. Localisation is achieved via the claims boxes, as per the below examples.

Claim Requirement Legal Claim 

  • This product contains a maximum of 0.5g of total sugar per 100ml for a drink or
  • 0.5g of total sugar per 100g for a food product.
  • US: Where relevant must state “not a low calorie food”
 Sugar free

  • This product contains no added sugars, or any food used for its sweetening properties (excluding polyols).
  • If the product contains more than half a gram of sugars per 100g or 100ml then the following statement must be made: “contains naturally occurring sugars.”
  • US: Where relevant must state “not a low calorie food”
 No added sugar

  • This product contains a maximum of 2.5g of overall sugars per 100ml (for a drink) or
  • 5g of overall sugars per 100g (for a food product).
  • US: Where relevant must state “not a low calorie food”
 Low sugar

  • This product has 30% less sugar than another product of its type and no more than 5% of its calorie content from free sugars.
  • It also must have a similar or lower calorie value than the product used for comparison.
 Reduced sugar

  • This is the equivalent of the no added sugar claim for products that normally do not contain added sugar, such as dried fruit.
  • If the product contains more than half a gram of sugars per 100g or 100ml then it must be specified that it contains naturally occurring sugar.
 Naturally no added sugar

  • EU: Certified Low Calorie products must have a maximum portion of 4 kcal with the equivalent sweetening properties to 6g of sucrose.
  • US: No more than 5 kcal per standard serve.
  • EU: This claim applies to sweeteners only. Certified Calorie Free products must have a maximum portion of 0.4 kcal with the equivalent sweetening properties of 6g of sucrose.
  • US: No more than 5 kcal per standard serve.
 Low energy or
Energy free

Teaspoons Logo:

  • The 0 teaspoons logo can be used alongside the SUGARWISE mark and the sugar related claim being certified.
  • The 0 teaspoons logo is another way of saying or expressing “no added sugar”.
  • In the below example both the low sugar and no added sugar claims have been certified by Sugarwise, the SUGARWISE logo is used, along with the Certified low sugar box option and the teaspoons option. Artwork that can be used alongside the logo will be sent with the certificate.

Certified Reduced Carbs/Sugars

  • Must have 30% less carbohydrate/sugar than a similar product.
  • Must also have no more than 10g of carbohydrates/free sugars in 100g of product where a food product carries the reduced carbs/sugars claim and the SUGARWISE label.
  • Must have no more than 5g of sugars in 100ml of beverage if the beverage carries the reduced sugars claim.

Low Free Sugars Requirement for Sugar Claims: sugar free, no added sugar, low sugar

  • No more than 5g free sugars in 100g food. The product should also be able to carry a sugar or a calorie claim.
  • No more than 2.5g free sugars in 100ml beverage.  The product should also be able to carry a sugar or a calorie claim.

Certified Reduced Carbs

  • Must have 30% less carbohydrate than a similar product.
  • Must also have no more than 10g of carbohydrates in 100g of product where a product carries the reduced carbs claim and the SUGARWISE label.

Exclusions:

  • Drinks that are over 1.2% alcohol strength by volume (ABV)
  • Products that are over 1% alcohol by weight
  • Products that contain added nicotine
  • Products containing trans-fats
  • Products containing additives harmful to human consumption*

*Sugarwise maintains and continually updates an evidence-based list of guidelines regarding harmful additives, referencing EFSA, WHO and other competent authorities

Schools

Go to SUGARWISE Schools for school certification information

Review Process

The Sugarwise Standards and Guidelines are always undergoing review by competent parties. To contribute your expertise to further develop the Sugarwise Standards please contact us here.