Does Subway put a lot of sugar in their bread? A Deep Dive

October 31, 2025 •

4 min read

In 2020, an Irish Supreme Court ruled that Subway's bread contained so much sugar it could not be legally defined as a 'staple food'. This decision sparked a global conversation about the amount of sugar, leading many to question: Does Subway put a lot of sugar in their bread?.

Quick Summary

Subway's bread has faced significant scrutiny for its high sugar content, including a tax ruling in Ireland where it was legally reclassified as a confectionery. The amount of sugar varies by bread type on their menu.

Key Points

Irish Court Ruling: In 2020, an Irish Supreme Court found Subway's bread contained too much sugar (10% of flour weight) to be legally classified as a staple food, labeling it confectionery for tax purposes.
Varying Sugar Levels: Sugar content varies by bread type, with some options like the 9-Grain Honey Oat containing up to 6g per 6-inch serving, and others like Italian Herbs & Cheese having around 3g.
Functional Ingredient: Sugar is added to Subway's bread primarily to aid the yeast, assist browning during baking, and enhance flavor, creating its signature smell and taste.
Healthier Alternatives: The Flatbread is noted as having no added sugar, making it the lowest-sugar bread option at Subway.
Dietary Context: While the sugar content is notable, the total impact on your diet depends on the sandwich toppings and sauces, as well as your overall dietary habits.
High Sodium Content: Beyond sugar, some analyses also note the relatively high sodium content in many of Subway's bread options.

The Irish Court Ruling: Bread or Confectionery?

The controversy surrounding the sugar content of Subway's bread came to a head in 2020, following a tax dispute involving an Irish Subway franchisee, Bookfinders Ltd. The company was appealing a decision by tax authorities regarding the value-added tax (VAT) applied to its heated sandwiches. According to Ireland's Value-Added Tax Act of 1972, bread is considered a zero-rated "staple food," but ingredients like sugar and fat cannot exceed 2% of the flour's weight in the dough.

During the legal proceedings, it was revealed that the sugar content in Subway's white and whole wheat bread dough was approximately 10% of the flour's weight—five times the legal limit. As a result, the Irish Supreme Court ruled that the rolls were too sugary to be classified as bread under the law, instead placing them in the category of confectionery or fancy baked goods.

This ruling, while based on a specific tax law, brought significant attention to the fast-food chain's ingredients and prompted many consumers to question the nutritional value of their sandwiches. Subway, for its part, maintained that its bread was, of course, bread, and that the ruling was based on an outdated law.

Nutritional Breakdown of Subway's Breads

While the Irish ruling highlighted a specific legal definition, it's worth examining the actual nutritional information provided by Subway in other regions to understand the sugar content. The figures show that sugar is indeed a significant component in most of their standard bread options, even those perceived as healthier, like wheat bread. The amount varies across the menu, with some choices containing more sugar than others.

Why Add So Much Sugar?

There are several culinary reasons for adding sugar to commercially produced bread, beyond just taste. Sugar plays a critical role in the baking process by feeding the yeast, which helps the dough rise. More importantly, it contributes to the browning of the crust during baking and enhances the overall flavor profile. The signature sweet and aromatic quality of a freshly baked Subway roll is, in part, a direct result of this added sugar.

For most consumers, the added sugar is not immediately obvious, as it is blended into the product rather than being a distinct topping. The comparison to other bread products, however, demonstrates how elevated Subway's sugar levels are.

Sugar Comparison: Subway vs. Other Breads

The following table compares the sugar content of some of Subway's popular 6-inch breads with other common bread products. The figures illustrate how much sugar is in a single serving and help put the Irish court's findings into context.


Bread Type	Subway (Sugar per 6-inch)	Comparison Bread	Sugar in Comparison Bread (Approx. per similar size)
9-Grain Honey Oat	6g	Standard White Bread Roll	3.1g (per 100g)
9-Grain Wheat	5g	Standard Whole Wheat Roll	2.7g (per 100g)
Hearty Multigrain	4g	Pita Bread	2.3g (per 100g)
Italian Herbs & Cheese	3g	Standard Garlic Bread	2.8g (per 100g)

Note: Comparisons are based on available nutritional information and may vary based on product specifications and serving sizes. Subway's Flatbread is noted as having no added sugar.

What Does This Mean for Your Health?

Understanding the sugar content of your sandwich bread is an important step in making informed dietary choices. The high sugar levels in some of Subway's options, combined with other high-sodium ingredients, can add up quickly. This is especially relevant for individuals monitoring their sugar intake for weight management or other health reasons, such as diabetes.

Here are some strategies for a lower-sugar Subway order:

Choose the Flatbread: It's advertised as having no added sugar, making it the best choice for those strictly watching sugar content.
Opt for Whole Grains Carefully: While 9-Grain Wheat is a whole-grain option, it still contains more sugar than the Italian Herbs & Cheese bread.
Load up on Veggies: Add fresh vegetables to bulk up your meal without adding sugar. This also increases fiber and nutrients.
Rethink the Sauce: Many sauces and condiments are surprisingly high in sugar. Stick to mustard or request light sauce options.
Consider a Salad: For a truly low-sugar meal, consider a Subway salad with a vinaigrette dressing instead of a sub.

A Final Verdict on Subway's Bread

While the amount of sugar in Subway's bread is higher than in many traditional baked bread varieties, whether it constitutes a “lot of sugar” depends on your perspective and comparison points. From a legal standpoint in Ireland, the answer is a definitive yes, high enough to change its classification. From a nutritional perspective, a single 6-inch roll contains a few grams of sugar, comparable to a cookie or other baked good, and a footlong could contain more. However, it's less sugar-laden than a typical fast-food dessert. Ultimately, knowing the facts allows you to decide if it fits into your dietary goals.

The full details of the Irish Supreme Court's 2020 ruling can be found here on the BBC News website.

Frequently Asked Questions

In 2020, an Irish Supreme Court ruled that Subway's bread was legally a confectionery, not bread, for tax purposes because its sugar content (10% of flour weight) exceeded the 2% legal limit for staple foods. This ruling reclassified it legally but doesn't make it a traditional cake.

The amount of sugar in a 6-inch Subway roll varies by the type of bread. The 9-Grain Honey Oat has up to 6g, while the Italian Herbs & Cheese has around 3g, according to Subway's nutritional information.

Sugar is added for several reasons, including acting as food for the yeast to help the dough rise, enhancing the flavor, and aiding in the browning process during baking.

While it contains whole grains, the 9-Grain Wheat bread still contains a notable amount of sugar (around 5g per 6-inch roll), and is higher in sugar than some of their other breads.

According to nutrition guides, Subway's Flatbread is often cited as the bread with no added sugar, making it the best option for those trying to minimize sugar intake.

The Irish court ruling was based on a specific national tax law, so it does not affect the legal classification of Subway's bread in other countries. However, the high sugar content is a nutritional fact regardless of location and remains a point of consideration for consumers.

The sugar content in Subway's bread is typically higher than in many standard store-bought breads, which generally contain much less sugar. Some comparisons show Subway bread having significantly more sugar per serving.