Guide
Total sugars and added sugars on the label
Total sugars count every sugar in the food, including those naturally in milk and fruit; added sugars count only the sugars put in during processing, and only added sugars have a Daily Value: 50 g.
Published · By GetFoodFacts · the rules are cited to FDA and USDA, the figures computed from USDA FoodData Central (April 30, 2026 release)
What counts as added
FDA's definition (21 CFR 101.9(c)(6)(iii)): sugars added during processing or packaged as such (table sugar, syrups, honey), and sugars from concentrated fruit or vegetable juice beyond what the same volume of 100% juice would hold. The lactose already in milk and the fructose in whole fruit are not added. The "Includes Added Sugars" line became required as manufacturers moved to the new label from 2020 (2021 for smaller companies).
On the labels in USDA's database
129,325 of 398,909 packaged products (32%) declare added sugars; the rest were submitted in the older label format. Of those that declare it, 31,277 say 0 g.
| Greek and skyr yogurt | Total sugars per serving | Added sugars per serving |
|---|---|---|
| Flavored | 14.0 g | 9.0 g |
| Plain | 6.0 g | 0 g |
Source: USDA FoodData Central branded foods, April 30, 2026 release; medians per labeled serving.
Sugar in yogurt, by style (research)
The names sugar goes by in ingredient lists
Sources for this page
- USDA FoodData Central
- the food and product records, April 30, 2026 release. fdc.nal.usda.gov
- USDA Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies
- the survey foods and their portions. ars.usda.gov
- 21 CFR 101.9, Nutrition labeling of food
- the label format, rounding and Daily Values. ecfr.gov
- 21 CFR 101.12, Reference amounts customarily consumed
- the serving each kind of food is labeled by. ecfr.gov
- FDA, Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels
- the Daily Values in a table. fda.gov