Does pear juice concentrate have added sugar?

December 19, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the FDA, 100% fruit juice concentrates are not considered to have added sugars for labeling purposes. The key question is not if pear juice concentrate has sugar—it does, naturally—but if sugar has been added during processing beyond the fruit's inherent sweetness.

Quick Summary

Pure pear juice concentrate contains only the fruit's natural sugars, concentrated by removing water. Products labeled as 'juice drinks' often include added sweeteners, so checking the ingredient list is essential.

Key Points

No Added Sugar in Pure Concentrate: Pure 100% pear juice concentrate contains only the natural sugars from the fruit, with no added sweeteners.
Concentrated Natural Sugar: The manufacturing process evaporates water, resulting in a condensed liquid with a high concentration of the pear's natural sugar.
Check Labels for 'Added Sugars': The Nutrition Facts label clearly shows the amount of added sugar, which should be 0 grams for a pure 100% juice concentrate.
Distinguish Concentrates from 'Drinks': Look for "100% juice" on the label, as "juice drinks," "cocktails," and "nectars" almost always contain added sugar.
Missing Fiber: Unlike whole pears, pear juice concentrate lacks dietary fiber, which is important for regulating blood sugar and digestion.
Consume in Moderation: Due to the high concentration of natural sugar, pear juice concentrate should be consumed in moderation, even without added sweeteners.

Understanding Sugar: Natural vs. Added

When discussing the sweetness of fruit juice products, it is vital to understand the distinction between natural and added sugars. Natural sugars are those inherently present in the fruit itself, such as fructose. When a fruit is concentrated, the water is removed, leaving behind a more potent, condensed liquid with a higher concentration of the fruit's natural sugars and flavors.

Added sugars, on the other hand, are sweeteners like table sugar, syrups, or other fruit juice concentrates that are added during processing to enhance sweetness. A pure 100% pear juice concentrate should contain no ingredients other than pear juice. The sweet taste comes from the fruit's natural sugar, now in a more condensed form.

The Concentration Process Explained

Pear juice concentrate is made by washing, crushing, and pressing fresh pears to extract juice. This juice is filtered, potentially treated with enzymes, and then most of the water is removed through evaporation under vacuum. This process results in a thick syrup that is easier to transport and store.

Decoding the Nutrition Facts Label

To determine whether a product with pear juice concentrate contains added sugar, carefully read the Nutrition Facts label and ingredients list.

1. Check the 'Added Sugars' Line: The label clearly shows "Added Sugars." For pure 100% pear juice concentrate, this should be 0 grams. Concentrated fruit juice used to sweeten beyond the level expected from 100% juice is considered an added sugar by the FDA.

2. Read the Ingredients List: Ingredients are listed by weight. Look for added sweeteners like sugar, corn syrup, or high-fructose corn syrup listed early in the ingredients.

3. Look for Specific Claims: "100% juice" indicates no added sugar. Products labeled "juice cocktail," "juice drink," or "nectar" typically contain added sugars.

Comparison: 100% Concentrate vs. Juice Cocktail


Feature	100% Pear Juice from Concentrate	Pear Juice Drink/Cocktail
Ingredients	Water, pear juice concentrate. May contain other 100% fruit juice concentrates for flavor.	Water, various fruit juice concentrates (often pear or apple), high-fructose corn syrup, sugar, flavorings, and preservatives.
Sugar Source	Naturally occurring fruit sugars (e.g., fructose, sorbitol) that have been concentrated.	Naturally occurring fruit sugars plus various added sweeteners.
FDA Labeling	"Added Sugars" line reads 0 grams (unless used as an added sweetener in another product).	The "Added Sugars" line will show a specific amount in grams.
Nutritional Profile	Contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from the original fruit, but lacks the dietary fiber. Higher in natural sugar and calories per serving compared to fresh juice.	Lower nutritional value, with added sugars providing empty calories and potentially irritating health issues like acid reflux.

Benefits and Considerations of Pear Juice Concentrate

Pear juice concentrate offers several benefits, including serving as a natural sweetener in various products and retaining beneficial nutrients from the fruit like potassium and vitamin C. Its concentrated form is also convenient and cost-effective for manufacturers. However, it is a concentrated source of natural sugar, contributing to high calorie content per serving and potentially weight gain if consumed excessively. Additionally, the juicing process removes dietary fiber found in whole pears, which is important for health.

Conclusion: The Key to Knowing What You’re Drinking

The presence of added sugar in pear juice concentrate products depends on the specific beverage. Pure, 100% pear juice concentrate contains only concentrated natural fruit sugars. However, many products use concentrate as an ingredient and add additional sweeteners. Always consult the nutrition facts label, specifically the "Added Sugars" section, and the ingredients list to understand the sugar content. Choosing products labeled "100% juice" helps avoid added sugars, but be mindful of the high concentration of natural sugars and consume in moderation.

Understanding Added Sugars: A Guide from the FDA

Frequently Asked Questions

No, pure 100% pear juice concentrate is not considered to have added sugar, according to the FDA. It contains only the naturally occurring sugars from the pear fruit, which become more concentrated when the water is removed.

The easiest way is to read the Nutrition Facts label. The "Added Sugars" line will tell you exactly how many grams of sugar have been added. You should also check the ingredients list for other sweeteners.

Manufacturers use pear juice concentrate because it is a cost-effective and convenient way to add natural sweetness and flavor to products. It is also easier to store and transport than fresh juice.

Yes, it retains many of the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from whole pears. However, because it lacks the dietary fiber, it is not nutritionally identical to eating a whole pear and should be consumed in moderation.

Pear juice concentrate is made solely from concentrated pear juice. A pear juice cocktail, on the other hand, is a blend that typically includes water and added sweeteners like corn syrup, and may contain very little actual pear juice.

These terms can sometimes be misleading marketing language. To be certain about the sugar content, always check the ingredients list and the "Added Sugars" line on the Nutrition Facts panel, rather than relying on claims on the front of the packaging.

As a natural sweetener derived from fruit, it provides some nutritional benefits that refined white sugar does not. However, it is still a concentrated source of sugar and calories, so it should be used in moderation as part of a balanced diet.