No Added Sugar or Sugar-Free? Reading Vending Drink Labels
No added sugar and sugar-free are different nutrition claims. When choosing a drink from a vending machine, read the wording on the exact product and its nutrition information. A familiar colour, fruit picture or brand name cannot answer the question for you.
Read the claim precisely
The FSAI’s nutrition-claims guidance explains that no added sugars concerns the addition of sugars or foods used for sweetening. It should not be read as a statement that the finished drink contains no naturally occurring sugars.
Sugar-free has its own conditions. The FSAI guide to nutrition and health claims sets out the permitted claims and their requirements. Keep these descriptions separate when writing vending shelf labels.
Compare the same quantity
Use the nutrition table to compare drinks on the same basis, such as the amount shown per 100 ml. Then check the bottle or can size. A comparison between one small can and one larger bottle can otherwise be misleading.
For a hypothetical label showing 4 g of sugars per 100 ml, a 250 ml bottle would contain 10 g. This is an arithmetic example, not a description of a stocked product. Always use the actual pack figures.
Check the current product before choosing
Different flavours and versions in the same range may have different ingredients and nutrition information. Read the received pack rather than relying on information from an earlier purchase. If details are not visible before paying, ask the operator for the current product information.
For personal dietary requirements, use the full label and any individual advice you have received. A single front-of-pack claim does not describe every aspect of a drink.
Keep vending descriptions in step with stock
Operators should match each selection description to the exact product being loaded. When changing a supplier, flavour or pack size, review the shelf wording as well as the price.
Keep a dated product reference for refill staff and remove descriptions that no longer apply. Avoid extending a claim from one bottle to an entire mixed row. Accurate, specific information makes the selection easier to understand.
For help planning responsibilities at your site, explore our fully managed vending service or contact our team. Related reading: checking different dietary claims on vending snacks.