Food > Labelling > Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising > Decisions 

Decisions: Sugar, Sweeteners and Sweetening Agents

Cyclamate Sweeteners - Energy Declarations

Question: Are cyclamate sweeteners required to follow the nutritional labelling format and declare energy content in calories and kilojoules per serving of stated size?

Answer: No, cyclamate sweeteners are subject to Part E of the Food and Drug Regulations which specifically exempts them from Part B of the Regulations (subsection E.01.001(2)). Consequently, they are not subject to the new Nutrition Facts table requirements under section B.01.401. Section E.01.004 of the Regulations requires that a cyclamate sweetener be labelled to show the energy value of the sweetener expressed in Calories

• per teaspoon, drop, tablet or other measure used in the directions for use, and
  
• per 100 grams or 100 millilitres of the sweetener.

Although not required, manufacturers are encouraged to show kilojoules as well as Calories, and to use the nutrition labelling format to give any additional information they may wish to provide. No change to Part E is planned. (updated 2006)

Sugar - Decharacterized Juice as Sweetening Ingredient

Question: Is it acceptable to list a decharacterized juice as "(naming the fruit) juice" in the list of ingredients?

Answer: No, a decharacterized juice cannot be listed as "(naming the fruit) juice" in the list of ingredients because it would no longer meet the standard for fruit juice in section B.11. 120 or any of the specifically named fruit juice standards in the Food and Drug Regulations. "Deacidified (naming the fruit) juice", "decoloured (naming the fruit) juice", "deflavoured (naming the fruit) juice" can be claimed, as applicable.

Sugar - Decharacterized Juice and "No Sugar Added" Claim

Question: Is the claim "no sugar added" acceptable on a food containing a decharacterized juice?

Answer: No. The claim “no sugar added” is not permitted on labels or in advertisements for foods that contain added sugars* or ingredients with added sugars or ingredients that contain sugars that functionally substitute for added sugars. Decharacterized juice is an ingredient that contains sugars that functionally substitute for added sugars (see item 40 in the table following B.01.513, FDR). A positive statement such as “sweetened with decharacterized juice” is acceptable.

*Note: The term "sugars" means all mono- and disaccharides, including sucrose, fructose, glucose, glucose-fructose, maltose, etc.

For more detailed information regarding the claim “no added sugar” see the information letter to industry - "No Added Sugars". (updated 2006)
 

Sugar - Individual Sugars Declaration

Question: Is it acceptable to declare individual sugars (some or all) in the Nutrition Facts table?

Answer: Only the total carbohydrate value and the sugars value may be declared in the Nutrition Facts table. Individual sugars may not be listed in the Nutrition Facts table, but may be shown expressed in grams per serving of stated size in accordance with B.01.301 FDR.
 

Sugar - Inulin

Question: When inulin is added to a food, by what common name should it be declared as in the list of ingredients - “inulin” or “fructooligosaccharide”?

Answer: “Inulin” and “fructooligosaccharide ” are not the same ingredient. The term “fructooligosaccharides” (also sometimes called “oligofructose”) is an acceptable common name when the ingredient contains only shorter chains (less than 10 units) of fructose. “Saccharide” means “sugar” and can refer to glucose, fructose or other sugars. Inulin, as found in nature, is a mixture of molecules of shorter and longer chains of fructose units.

The terms “inulin” in English and “inuline” in French are acceptable common names for use in the list of ingredients. Including the name of the plant source from which the inulin was derived is encouraged from an allergen perspective. Inulin is considered a food and its use is not regulated as a food additive under Division 16 of the Food and Drug Regulations. The common name “inulin” is referenced in the Merck Index, text books, U.S. and Canada Customs HS Codes, etc. “Inulin” is not a trade or brand name. (updated 2006)

Sugar - Non-Cariogenic Substances

Question: Are any foods or substances recognized as being non-cariogenic?

Answer: Yes, the list of substances recognized as non-cariogenic includes aspartame, sorbitol, xylitol and mannitol. (26/Sept/93)

Diet-related health claims are regulated by the Food and Drug Regulations. The claim “non-cariogenic” or permitted synonyms for the claim can only be made on foods meeting the conditions listed in column 2 for item 5 of the table following B.01.603 for diet-related health claims. For more information see Table 8-1 of the 2003 Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising. (updated 2006)