Hidden sugars
Some sweet-tasting foods don’t have the word ‘sugar’ in the ingredients list on their packaging, but still have sugar in them – its just labelled in a different way, for example ‘dextrose’ or ‘modified starch’.
Read the transcript for this film 'hidden sugars'
Check the nutrition information panel on the back of food labels for sugar content. The panel is usually found on the back of food products. Watch out for these hidden sugars:
- Honey
- Sucrose
- Glucose
- Maltose
- Dextrose
- Fructose
- Hydrolysed starch
- Corn or maize syrup
- Molasses
- Raw/brown sugar
- Treacle
- Concentrated fruit juice
- Carbohydrate (of which sugars).
If you see one of these near the top of the ingredients list then the product is high in sugars. Many food products labelled 'healthy', low sugar or no added sugar or 'herbal' may still contain sugar.
- 15g per 100g is a HIGH sugar content
- 5g per 100g is a LOW sugar content
Food and drinks containing sugar should be limited and are best given at mealtimes.
Watch out for sugar in drinks too. Read the Healthy drinks page for information.
For more information on food labeling visit the Eat Well website (external link).
