No-added-sugar snacks for children: how to read the label
"No added sugar" means that sugar was not added while the product was made, but the product can still contain sugar that occurs naturally in its ingredients. This differs from a claim that a product does not contain sugar, which has its own sugar limit. To check, look at the sugar line in the Nutrition Information table and at the sweeteners in the ingredient list.
"No added sugar" and "does not contain sugar" are different claims
Sugar claims on processed food labels are regulated by BPOM. Under those rules, the claim "tanpa penambahan gula" (no added sugar) may only be used on products that are usually sweet, such as sweets, jellies, drinks or snacks for children. Sugar must not be added to the product, for example sucrose, glucose, honey or high-fructose corn syrup, and must not use sugar-containing ingredients such as jam or candied fruit in its place. If a product with this claim contains sugar naturally, its label must state "secara alami mengandung gula" (naturally contains sugar).
A claim that a product does not contain sugar has a different requirement: its sugar content must be no more than 0.5 g per 100 g for solid products, or 0.5 g per 100 ml for liquids. Sugar here means all monosaccharides and disaccharides.
| No added sugar | Sugar is not added; natural sugar from the ingredients can still be present |
|---|---|
| Does not contain sugar | Sugar no more than 0.5 g per 100 g (solid) or per 100 ml (liquid) |
| Where to find the sugar content | Nutrition Information table, the "gula" or "gula total" (total sugar) line |
| Steviol glycosides (from stevia leaves) | Food additive in the sweetener class, natural sweetener type (BPOM) |
| Sorbitol | Food additive in the sweetener class, natural sweetener type (BPOM) |
Where to find the sugar content
Look at the Nutrition Information table on the pack. It shows the serving size, the number of servings per pack and the nutrients that must be declared, including sugar, which the latest format lists as "gula total" (total sugar). The figures in the table are per serving, so also check how many servings one pack contains.
Stevia and sorbitol in the ingredient list
The ingredient list shows which sweeteners are used. In BPOM's food additive rules, steviol glycosides, the sweetener from stevia leaves, and sorbitol are both listed in the sweetener class, as natural sweeteners. A natural sweetener here means one that can be found in nature, even if it is produced synthetically or by fermentation.
Before buying a snack for your child, read its full ingredient list. The full composition of each RealChew variant is shown on its product page.
Frequently asked questions
Is "no added sugar" the same as "does not contain sugar"?
No. No added sugar means that sugar was not added during production, while a claim that a product does not contain sugar requires no more than 0.5 g of sugar per 100 g or per 100 ml. You can see the figure in the Nutrition Information table.
Does stevia count as sugar?
No. In BPOM's rules, steviol glycosides from stevia leaves are classed as a sweetener food additive, while sugar in nutrition claims is counted from monosaccharides and disaccharides.
Where can I see which sweeteners are used?
In the ingredient list on the pack. The sugar content itself is in the Nutrition Information table, per serving.
Sources
- BPOM (JDIH) — BPOM Regulation No. 1 of 2022 on the Supervision of Claims on Processed Food Labels and Advertising (in Indonesian)
- BPOM (JDIH) — BPOM Regulation No. 10 of 2026 on Nutrition Information on Processed Food Labels (in Indonesian)
- BPOM (JDIH) — BPOM Regulation No. 11 of 2019 on Food Additives (in Indonesian)