How Many Calories in a Tic Tac Lime and Orange? Decoding the Nutritional Label

October 26, 2025 •

3 min read

Despite the well-known advertising slogan, a single Tic Tac Lime and Orange mint is not calorie-free, clocking in at approximately 2 calories per piece. The discrepancy lies in a serving size loophole used by the manufacturer, which can be misleading for those counting their intake and curious about how many calories in a Tic Tac Lime and Orange are actually being consumed.

Quick Summary

A single Tic Tac Lime and Orange contains around 2 calories due to a technicality in nutritional labeling, as a full package carries a more substantial calorie and sugar load. Understanding the real nutritional content, particularly the high sugar levels, is key for informed dietary choices.

Key Points

Single Mint Calories: A single Tic Tac Lime and Orange mint contains approximately 2 calories, not 0.
Labeling Loophole: The "0 calorie" marketing in the US is based on a tiny, 0.49g serving size, which allows manufacturers to round down the caloric and sugar values.
High Sugar Content: Tic Tacs are almost 90% sugar by weight, and a full box contains significant amounts of sugar and carbs.
Full Box Impact: An entire 49g box can contain around 195 calories and over 40 grams of sugar, which adds up considerably.
Empty Calories: Due to their composition, Tic Tacs provide energy primarily from sugar with virtually no other nutritional value like protein, fat, or fiber.

The Truth Behind the 2-Calorie Claim

For decades, Tic Tac has promoted its low-calorie status, often highlighting the figure of just “2 calories per mint.” This marketing is effective because it's technically true based on the very small serving size. In countries like the United States, regulations allow products with fewer than 5 calories per serving to be listed as “0 calories”. A single Tic Tac weighs approximately 0.49 grams, just enough to fall under this threshold and enable the manufacturer to list it with zero sugar and a very low-calorie count per serving. However, the reality of what a whole box contains reveals a far different nutritional profile.

The Sugar Content and its Impact

A Tic Tac Lime and Orange mint is primarily composed of sugar, dextrose, and other sweeteners, which give it its characteristic flavor. While a single mint's sugar content is negligible, consuming multiple mints adds up quickly. For someone eating an entire 49g box, the total sugar intake is significant. For context, 100 grams of Tic Tac Lime and Orange contains around 91.4 grams of sugar and about 395 calories. This makes a full 49g box contain over 40 grams of sugar and nearly 200 calories. This information is crucial for individuals monitoring their sugar intake for health reasons, such as managing blood sugar levels for diabetes.

A Full Nutritional Breakdown

Beyond just calories and sugar, it's helpful to look at the other macronutrients, which are present in minimal amounts. Here is a typical nutritional breakdown per 100g based on product data:

Energy: 1677 kJ / 395 kcal
Fat: 0.5g
Of which Saturates: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 95.8g
Of which Sugars: 91.4g
Protein: 0.1g
Salt: 0.02g

As you can see, the vast majority of the nutritional value comes from carbohydrates, specifically sugars. There is almost no protein or fat, making it an empty calorie food.

The Ingredients in a Tic Tac

To better understand the nutritional value, or lack thereof, it is useful to examine the list of ingredients that make up these tiny mints:

Sugar: The primary ingredient, providing the bulk of the calories.
Dextrose: A type of sugar used for sweetness.
Maltodextrins: A carbohydrate derived from starch, also used as a filler and sweetener.
Acid (Tartaric): Adds to the tart, citrusy flavor profile.
Rice Starch: Used as a thickening agent.
Thickener (Gum Arabic): Contributes to the texture.
Flavourings: Both natural and artificial flavorings are used to create the lime and orange taste.
Anticaking Agent (Magnesium Salts of Fatty Acids): Prevents clumping.
Powdered Lime Juice: Provides authentic lime flavor.
Antioxidant (Ascorbic Acid): Also known as Vitamin C, added for flavor and preservation.
Colours (Beta Carotene, Curcumin, Carminic Acid): Gives the mints their color.
Glazing Agent (Carnauba Wax): Provides the glossy coating.

Comparison of Tic Tac Servings


Serving Size	Approx. Weight	Calories	Sugar	Notes
1 Mint	~0.49g	2 calories	0.45g	Based on FDA rounding rules
5 Mints	~2.5g	10 calories	2.25g	A typical mouthful
1/4 of an 18g Pack	4.5g	15 calories	~4.1g	A small, controlled serving
Full 18g Pack	18g	69 calories	~16.4g	Often consumed in a single sitting
Full 49g '100 Sweets' Pack	49g	193-195 calories	~44.8g	Easily consumed over a day

The Takeaway for Dieters and Conscious Consumers

For those on a strict calorie-controlled diet or trying to limit their sugar intake, the small calorie count of a single Tic Tac is inconsequential. However, the misleading label can contribute to a false sense of security, leading to overconsumption. A person might eat a whole pack throughout the day, thinking it's a guilt-free habit, but end up adding significant calories and sugar that can hinder weight loss or blood sugar management efforts. Practicing mindful eating and always checking the nutritional information for the entire package, not just a single serving, is the best strategy. For more information on nutritional labeling, you can consult reliable sources like the FDA's guide on food labeling.

Conclusion

While a single Tic Tac Lime and Orange mint is a low-calorie item, it is far from calorie-free, and its nutritional content is almost entirely sugar. The deceptively low serving size on the label can lead to underestimating the overall caloric and sugar load when consuming a larger quantity. For those monitoring their nutrition, it's essential to look beyond the highlighted figure and consider the total contents of the package. A few mints are not a major concern, but a box full of Tic Tacs is a sugar-filled snack that should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Tic Tacs are not actually zero calories. They are advertised as such in some regions due to a labeling loophole where a single, very small serving contains fewer than 5 calories, allowing it to be rounded down to zero.

The calories in a whole box of Tic Tac Lime and Orange vary by package size. An 18g pack has about 69 calories, while a larger 49g pack can contain around 195 calories.

A single Tic Tac mint contains approximately 0.45 grams of sugar. However, a 100g portion of Tic Tacs contains over 91 grams of sugar, making the mints largely composed of sugar.

The primary ingredient in Tic Tac Lime and Orange mints is sugar, which contributes the majority of the calories and carbohydrates.

Eating a whole box of Tic Tacs is unhealthy in excess, as it's equivalent to consuming a large spoonful of sugar. While not acutely dangerous, the high sugar and calorie load provides little to no nutritional benefit and can contribute to weight gain and affect blood sugar levels.

The nutritional label for a single Tic Tac is legally accurate based on rounding rules for small serving sizes. However, it is misleading for consumers who consume more than one mint, as it doesn't represent the true nutritional impact of the entire package.

Most Tic Tac flavors have a similar caloric profile, with approximately 2 calories per mint and being almost entirely sugar based. However, specific ingredient formulations and flavorings may lead to minor variations.