Is Fruit Juice Concentrate Considered an Added Sugar?

December 9, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), added sugars include those from concentrated fruit or vegetable juices when used to sweeten foods. However, the classification is not always straightforward, leading to significant consumer confusion regarding many processed food products.

Quick Summary

The FDA classifies fruit juice concentrate as an added sugar when used as a sweetener. It's not considered added sugar when used to reconstitute 100% juice. Reading labels is crucial.

Key Points

FDA Classification: Fruit juice concentrate is considered an added sugar when it is used as a sweetener in processed foods and not simply reconstituted to make a 100% juice beverage.
Impact of Processing: Removing water and fiber during concentration changes how the body metabolizes the sugar, leading to a faster and more intense blood sugar spike than eating whole fruit.
Nutrient Differences: Unlike whole fruit, which contains fiber, juice concentrates lack this essential nutrient, making them less satiating and contributing to higher caloric intake.
Reading Labels: Consumers should scrutinize the ingredient list and the 'Added Sugars' section of the Nutrition Facts label, as manufacturers may use terms like 'naturally sweetened' to obscure the use of concentrated juices.
Health Risks: High consumption of added sugars from concentrates has been linked to increased risks of chronic illnesses, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.
Choosing Whole Fruit: For optimal health, prioritizing whole fruits over fruit juices and products with added concentrates is recommended to benefit from the fiber and more gradual sugar absorption.

Understanding the FDA's Definition of Added Sugars

The FDA defines added sugars as sugars and caloric sweeteners added to foods or beverages during processing. This includes concentrated fruit and vegetable juices when used to sweeten a product beyond what would be expected from the same volume of 100% juice. This rule aims to provide consumers with clearer nutritional information about the sources of sugar in their diet. For example, using apple juice concentrate to sweeten a fruit snack means the sugar from that concentrate must be declared as 'Added Sugars' on the nutrition label. In contrast, a 100% fruit juice made by reconstituting concentrate to its original strength is not required to list added sugars from the concentrate.

The Role of Processing in Sugar Classification

The processing of fruit is a key factor in how its sugar content is classified. The removal of fiber and concentration of sugars dramatically changes how the body processes them compared to consuming whole fruit. A whole fruit, like an orange, contains fiber that slows the absorption of its natural sugars (fructose) into the bloodstream, preventing rapid blood sugar spikes. When fruit juice is concentrated, the fiber is largely removed, creating a highly concentrated, sugary liquid. This concentrate, when used as a sweetener, acts similarly to refined sugar, prompting the FDA to mandate its inclusion in the 'Added Sugars' total.

Reading Nutrition Labels: A Critical Skill

To make informed choices, it is vital to know how to read food labels properly. The ingredient list is presented in descending order by weight, so if a fruit juice concentrate is one of the first ingredients, it is a significant component of the product. The 'Nutrition Facts' panel now includes a line specifically for 'Added Sugars,' which is indented under 'Total Sugars'. For packaged products, simply checking this line reveals the manufacturer's classification of the sugar content. Consumers should be cautious of products that list fruit juice concentrates near the top of the ingredient list, especially in items like fruit snacks, cereals, and sweetened drinks. A product that claims to be 'naturally sweetened' can still contain high levels of added sugar from concentrated juices.

The Health Implications of Concentrated Fruit Sugars

Consuming high amounts of concentrated fruit sugars can contribute to various health issues, just like consuming refined sugar. While a serving of 100% fruit juice may seem healthy, it often contains far more sugar and calories than a serving of whole fruit. For example, one 8-ounce glass of orange juice from concentrate can have 110 calories and 24 grams of carbs, while a medium orange has only 62 calories and 15 grams of carbs. The lack of fiber in juice means the body absorbs the sugar quickly, leading to blood sugar spikes and potentially contributing to weight gain and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease over time. For children, excess consumption of 100% fruit juice is linked to weight gain and other chronic health risks.

Fruit Juice Concentrate vs. Other Sugar Sources


Feature	Fruit Juice Concentrate (as an Added Sugar)	Whole Fruit (Naturally Occurring Sugar)	High-Fructose Corn Syrup (Added Sugar)
Processing Level	Heavily processed to remove water and fiber.	Minimal to no processing.	Synthetically produced from corn starch.
Nutritional Value	Lacks fiber; some heat-sensitive vitamins may be reduced.	Contains fiber, vitamins, and minerals.	Provides calories with little to no nutritional value.
Blood Sugar Impact	Rapid blood sugar spikes due to lack of fiber.	Slower, more controlled blood sugar response due to fiber.	Rapid blood sugar spike.
Labeling	Labeled as an 'Added Sugar' when used for sweetening.	Not labeled as an added sugar.	Labeled as an 'Added Sugar'.

Conclusion

The question of whether fruit juice concentrate is an added sugar has a definitive answer: yes, under most circumstances. The FDA clearly mandates that when fruit juice concentrate is used as a sweetener to enhance flavor beyond what is found in 100% juice, it must be labeled as an added sugar. While fruit concentrate retains some vitamins and minerals, the removal of fiber during processing and the high concentration of sugar means it acts like any other added sweetener in the body. For those monitoring their sugar intake, understanding this distinction and reading food labels carefully is essential to maintaining a healthy diet. Choosing whole fruits over processed juices and products with added concentrates remains the most nutritionally sound choice for sustained energy and overall health.

Understanding the Differences Between Natural and Added Sugars

Frequently Asked Questions

Fruit juice concentrate is considered an added sugar when manufacturers use it to sweeten a food product. It is not considered an added sugar if it's simply reconstituted with water to produce 100% juice.

No, if the concentrate is reconstituted with the correct amount of water to return it to 100% juice strength, the FDA does not classify its sugars as 'added' on the nutrition label.

Most fruit juice concentrates contain very little to no fiber, as it is removed during the concentration process. This is a key difference from consuming whole fruit.

Check the ingredient list, where ingredients are listed by weight. If a fruit juice concentrate is high on the list, it's a major component. Also, look for 'Added Sugars' on the Nutrition Facts panel, where the amount from concentrates is listed.

From a metabolic standpoint, no. When fiber is removed, the concentrated fruit sugars are absorbed quickly, acting much like refined sugars in the body and causing similar blood sugar spikes.

While different fruit concentrates may contain varying levels of vitamins and minerals, their primary health impact as a sweetener is similar. The key factor is the absence of fiber and the high concentration of sugar.

Not necessarily, but moderation is key. It is best to prioritize whole fruits to get the full nutritional benefits, including fiber. When choosing products with concentrates, opt for those with no other added sugars.