Hidden names for sugar on labels: syrups, dextrose, maltodextrin and concentrates

Why is it called “hidden” sugar?

On food labels, ingredients are listed from most to least according to the amount added to the product. If a product uses plenty of sugar as its only sweetener, sugar appears near the top of the list. But if the same amount of sweetness is split across several different sources (for example sugar, glucose syrup and dextrose), each one may appear further down the list. The product then gives the impression at first glance of containing less sugar.

Some products also belong to categories that are not thought of as sweet: ketchup and sauces, instant soups, bread and crackers, fruit yoghurts, breakfast cereals, “fit” or protein bars and ready-made salad dressings. Because sugar is not expected in these products, it can easily be overlooked.

The different names for sugar on labels

All of the following names can be regarded, from a nutritional point of view, as sources of added sugar:

• Sugar, sucrose, granulated sugar, icing sugar, brown sugar: Classic sugar (sucrose) and its variants.
• Glucose syrup, glucose-fructose syrup, fructose-glucose syrup, corn syrup, starch-based sugar: Liquid sugars made from starch. Those with a high fructose content are commonly known as “corn syrup” or high-fructose corn syrup.
• Dextrose, glucose, fructose, maltose, lactose, galactose: Simple sugars listed by their chemical names. Names ending in “-ose” usually indicate a sugar.
• Invert sugar, invert syrup, caramel syrup: Processed liquid forms of sugar.
• Honey, molasses (such as grape molasses), maple syrup, agave syrup, date syrup, rice syrup: Even though they come from natural sources, the body treats them as added sugar.
• Fruit juice concentrate, fruit purée concentrate: Often used as a sweetener in products with claims such as “no refined sugar” or “sweetened only with fruit”.
• Malt extract, barley malt syrup: Common in cereals and baked goods.

Maltodextrin: sugar or not?

Maltodextrin is a carbohydrate obtained by partially breaking down starch. It tastes only very slightly sweet and is technically not included in the “sugars” line of the nutrition table; it appears in the “carbohydrate” line. This is why a product containing maltodextrin may show a low sugar value in the table.

However, maltodextrin is quickly converted to glucose in the body and can raise blood sugar rapidly. It is used as a filler, thickener or carrier in instant drink powders, sports products, baby formula and sauces. Small amounts are not a problem for a healthy person, but it is an ingredient to bear in mind for people who need to watch their blood sugar.

“No added sugar” and “sugar-free” are not the same

Nutrition claims about sugar on labels are defined by law, and the rules in Türkiye are aligned with the EU:

• No added sugar: No sugar, or other food used for its sweetening properties (such as honey or syrup), has been added to the product. However, the product may contain natural sugar from its own ingredients, such as fruit or milk. In that case the label should state “contains naturally occurring sugars”.
• Sugar-free: The product contains a very small amount of sugar (no more than 0.5 g per 100 g or 100 ml).
• Low sugar / reduced sugar: For “low sugar”, the limit is no more than 5 g of sugar per 100 g for solid foods and no more than 2.5 g per 100 ml for drinks; “reduced sugar” means the product contains at least 30% less sugar than similar products.

The thing to watch out for here is fruit juice concentrate. According to the legal definition, a product to which concentrate has been added for sweetening cannot carry a “no added sugar” claim; however, phrases such as “no refined sugar”, “no white sugar” or “sweetened with fruit” may fall outside this definition. Concentrate is the sugary juice of fruit separated from its fibre, and in such products it can be a concentrated source of sugar.

What about sweeteners?

In sugar-free products, sweetness is usually provided by intense sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose or acesulfame K. These contain no or very few calories and are considered safe at approved levels of use. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has published a conditional guideline recommending that non-sugar sweeteners not be used as a long-term solution for weight control. In short, sweeteners can replace sugar, but they cannot replace cutting back on a sweet tooth.

For more detailed information on sweeteners, see also our E numbers guide.

The WHO free sugars recommendation

The WHO recommends that adults and children keep their intake of free sugars below 10% of daily energy intake, and notes that reducing it to below 5% may bring additional benefits. Free sugars include sugars added to foods by the manufacturer, cook or consumer, as well as the sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, fruit juices and fruit juice concentrates.

Sugars contained within the structure of fresh fruit and vegetables, and the natural lactose in milk, do not fall under this definition. In other words, from the WHO's point of view, eating an apple and drinking a glass of apple juice are not the same thing.

A practical method for reading the label

• Look at the “carbohydrate, of which sugars” line in the nutrition table. The value is given per 100 g, which makes it ideal for comparing different products.
• Count the names for sugar in the ingredient list. If there is more than one source of sugar, bear in mind that in total, sugar may be near the top of the list.
• Interpret dairy products carefully. The sugar shown for plain yoghurt and milk comes largely from lactose. Comparing with the fruit version helps you estimate the added sugar.
• Don't rely on words like “natural”, “homemade” or “fit”. These words tell you nothing about the amount of sugar.
• Take the portion into account. A drink bottle that looks small may be labelled as two portions.

For the other parts of the label, see our how to read food labels guide. If you have diabetes or another health condition, it is best to set your sugar targets with your doctor or dietitian.