“Sugar-free” describes the sugars content under FSSAI’s conditions for that claim. “No added sugar” describes how a food was made under a separate set of conditions. A food carrying a no-added-sugar claim can still contain sugars naturally present in its ingredients. The nutrition panel tells you how much sugar is declared on the basis shown. FSSAI advertising and claims regulations
Compare the same amount
Imagine a drink with 4 g total sugars and 0 g added sugars per 100 ml. If you drink 150 ml, that is 6 g total sugars on the declared figures. A second drink’s panel might report per 200 ml, so put both on a 100 ml basis first if you want a like-for-like comparison. These figures are invented to show the arithmetic.
| Label line | Question it helps answer |
|---|---|
| Total sugars | How much sugar is declared in this amount? |
| Added sugars | How much of that is listed as added? |
| Serving size | How much does the printed figure apply to? |
| Total carbohydrate | What other carbohydrates are included in the declared amount? |
Read the ingredient list beside the panel
Sweeteners and naturally present sugars answer different shopping questions. If you are checking for a particular sweetener, use the ingredient list and look for any related declaration on the pack. If a powder or tablet is mixed with water, check whether the figures describe the dry serving or the prepared drink. The supplement label guide shows where to start when the listing gives you only the front of the pack.
If you are tracking carbohydrates as part of a care plan, carry the full panel and the quantity you normally consume to your next review. One sugar claim leaves out both the rest of the formula and the amount you actually use.
See also How to choose a supplement in India: a label-and-seller checklist.