Label guides
Total sugars and added sugars: read them separately
By SteadyScale editorial · Updated October 16, 2026
Two fields, not two extra amounts
The FDA explains that total sugars includes naturally occurring sugars and any added sugars in the food. The added-sugars line identifies the added portion within that total. It is not another amount to add on top. Keep the field names attached to the numbers when taking notes.
Choose one question at a time
If your question is about added sugars, compare that field across compatible servings. If it is about total sugars, use the total field. Do not compare one product’s total sugars against another product’s added sugars and call them the same measure. Also check the preparation state: a drink or ingredient added at home can change the prepared food.
Names are not the complete panel
A flavor name and the word unsweetened identify a version; neither replaces the Nutrition Facts panel. Similar-looking cartons can differ by market, storage format and recipe. Read the exact name first, then the original serving and each sugar line. An ingredient overview helps you find the right source, but is not a full substitution for the manufacturer’s list.
Avoid turning the sugar fields into an automatic overall score. A label comparison can describe what is declared without deciding an individual’s needs or promising a health outcome. Other rows and the amount being compared still need their own context.
Try a concrete example
Our shelf-stable beverage comparison keeps three versions and a shared labeled volume visible. Open the individual source records to check how each line was recorded. We do not report taste or guess how a drink will affect your weight. If the package you have differs, use its current information and send us a source correction.
Sources and checking date
FDA: Added Sugars on the Nutrition Facts Label. · Checked 2026-10-16