How Many Different Names for Sugar Are Food Manufacturers Hiding?

January 12, 2026 •

3 min read

According to some sources, food manufacturers may use over 50 different names for sugar to make ingredient lists appear more favorable. This tactic can make it nearly impossible for consumers to accurately track their daily sugar intake without becoming an expert label reader, and often masks dangerously high levels of added sweeteners.

Quick Summary

Food manufacturers use dozens of different names for sugar, often disguising high content levels in processed foods. Learn to recognize scientific terms, syrups, and other clever aliases to make healthier, more informed dietary choices.

Key Points

Deceptive Tactics: Food manufacturers use dozens of different names for sugar to make ingredient lists appear healthier and confuse consumers.
The "-Ose" Rule: Many scientific sugar names end in "-ose," including sucrose, dextrose, and maltose, so look for this key suffix on labels.
Syrups are a Sneaky Source: Liquid sweeteners like corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, and agave nectar are concentrated sugar sources often hidden in processed foods.
Check the "Added Sugars" Line: The FDA now requires nutrition labels to list "Added Sugars" separately, offering a clearer picture of a product's sugar content.
Combine and Conquer: Manufacturers can split total sugar content across multiple aliases to push sugar names lower on the ingredient list, so always read the full list carefully.
Natural Isn't Calorie-Free: Natural sweeteners like honey and fruit juice concentrate are still sources of sugar and should be consumed in moderation, just like refined sugar.
Visualize Teaspoons: Remember that 4 grams of sugar equals approximately one teaspoon, helping to put the sugar content of a serving into perspective.

The Deceptive World of Sugar Aliases

It’s a clever game of disguise. Food manufacturers often use a multitude of different names for sugar to prevent any single sweetener from appearing high on the ingredient list, which are ordered by weight. By splitting the total sugar content across several aliases, each one appears further down the list, making products seem healthier. This practice makes it difficult for consumers to accurately assess the true sugar content and has been linked to potential overconsumption and related health issues.

A Breakdown of Common Sugar Names

Understanding the different categories of sugar names is crucial for identifying hidden sugars. Here are some common examples:

The "-Ose" Family: Sugars ending in “-ose” include sucrose (table sugar), glucose, fructose, dextrose, maltose, and lactose.

Syrups and Nectars: Liquid sweeteners such as high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), corn syrup, agave nectar/syrup, maple syrup, honey, and rice syrup are concentrated sugar sources.

Cane and Beet Derivatives: Look out for cane sugar, cane juice, evaporated cane juice, brown sugar, muscovado, turbinado, and molasses.

Other Additives: Maltodextrin, dextrin, and fruit juice concentrate are also forms of sugar or used as sweeteners.

How to Decipher Modern Nutrition Labels

New regulations, such as the FDA's requirement to list “Added Sugars” separately, are valuable tools for consumers.

Check the “Added Sugars” Line: This line indicates sugar not naturally present in the ingredients.
Scan the Ingredient List: Ingredients are by weight; multiple sugar aliases high on the list suggest a high total sugar content.
Be Mindful of 4 Grams: Roughly 4 grams of sugar equals one teaspoon.

Sugar vs. Sugar Alternatives: A Comparison Table

Comparing traditional sugars with alternatives can help with making informed choices. Note that substitutes have different properties and uses.


Feature	Refined Sugars (Sucrose, HFCS)	Natural Sugars (Honey, Maple Syrup)	Artificial Sweeteners (Sucralose, Stevia)	Sugar Alcohols (Xylitol, Erythritol)
Source	Sugar beets and cane	Bees, maple tree sap	Chemically synthesized; plant extracts for stevia	Plants, often synthetically manufactured
Sweetness	1x reference sweetness	1-2x, varies by type and fructose content	Hundreds of times sweeter	Less sweet than sucrose; around 0.5-1x
Calories	4 kcal/gram	3-4 kcal/gram	None	Reduced, as they are not fully metabolized
Blood Sugar Impact	High glycemic index, can cause spikes	Variable, depending on fructose and glucose ratio	No impact, though long-term effects are debated	Low impact, absorbed slowly
Best For	Baking, everyday use	Sweetening tea, certain recipes	Diet beverages, specific recipes	Sugar-free gums, mints, desserts

Navigating the Supermarket for Hidden Sugars

Focus on whole foods. When buying packaged goods, examine the ingredient list for multiple sugar aliases. Compare products to choose those with lower added sugar. The American Heart Association offers helpful resources for identifying added sugars.

Conclusion: Becoming a Smarter Consumer

While the exact count varies, dozens of names are used to disguise added sweeteners, from "cane juice" to "maltodextrin." Recognizing these aliases, checking the "Added Sugars" line, and comparing products empowers consumers to manage their sugar intake and promote health. Reducing reliance on processed foods is a key strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Manufacturers use multiple sugar names to prevent the single word 'sugar' from being listed as the first ingredient, which is listed by weight. This tactic disguises the actual amount of sugar and can make a product appear healthier.

While natural sugars contain trace amounts of some nutrients, your body processes them similarly to refined sugar. Overconsumption of any type of sugar can have negative health effects, so it's best to consume all sugars in moderation.

The suffix "-ose" is a chemical clue that the ingredient is a type of sugar. Common examples on food labels include dextrose, maltose, fructose, and sucrose.

On newer nutrition labels in the U.S., you can find a dedicated "Added Sugars" line listed underneath the "Total Sugars" entry. This explicitly states the amount of sugar not naturally present in the food.

Products labeled "sugar-free" often use artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols, which are not technically sugars but can have side effects like bloating or gastrointestinal issues. They are not always more nutritious than whole foods.

Yes, fruit juice concentrate is a concentrated source of sugar. While it comes from a fruit, it is processed and should be treated as an added sugar, contributing to your daily sugar intake.

A useful rule of thumb for reading nutrition labels is that 4 grams of sugar is roughly equivalent to one teaspoon. Dividing the total sugar content in grams by four helps put the amount of sugar in perspective.