Sugar analysis identifies and quantifies individual mono- and disaccharides — glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose, and lactose — in food products. Accurate sugar determination is mandatory for EU nutritional labeling under Regulation 1169/2011 and critical for verifying nutrition claims. Ovalab provides accredited sugar analysis using HPLC.
Key Facts About Sugar Analysis (Mono- and Disaccharides)
- Mandatory declaration: EU Regulation 1169/2011 requires total sugars as part of the mandatory nutrition declaration, per 100 g or 100 ml.
- EU reference intake: Daily reference intake for sugars is 90 g (Annex XIII, Part B).
- HPLC-RI method: High-performance liquid chromatography with refractive index detection is the standard technique for fructose, glucose, sucrose, maltose, and lactose quantification.
- Nutritional claims: Under EU Regulation 1924/2006: “sugar-free” ≤ 0.5 g/100 g; “low sugar” ≤ 5 g per 100 g (or ≤ 2.5 g per 100 ml).
- Definition: “Sugars” in EU legislation means all mono- and disaccharides present in food, excluding polyols (Regulation 1169/2011, Annex I).
Testing Methods at Ovalab
Ovalab determines individual sugar content using HPLC with refractive index detection (HPLC-RI), providing precise quantification of fructose, glucose, sucrose, maltose, and lactose. All analyses are performed under ISO/IEC 17025:2018 accreditation (ČIA, Certificate 537/2025), supporting accurate nutritional label declarations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which sugars does Ovalab test for?
Ovalab quantifies fructose, glucose (monosaccharides), sucrose, maltose, and lactose (disaccharides). The total constitutes the ‘sugars’ value for nutritional labeling.
What is the difference between 'total sugars' and 'added sugars'?
Total sugars include all naturally occurring and added mono- and disaccharides. EU Regulation 1169/2011 requires total sugars only. Chemical analysis alone cannot distinguish natural from added sugars.
What method is used for sugar analysis?
Ovalab uses HPLC with refractive index detection (HPLC-RI), the internationally recognized method for sugar analysis in foods, separating sugars chromatographically against certified reference standards.
When is sugar analysis required?
Sugar content must be declared on all pre-packed foods under EU Regulation 1169/2011. Additional analysis verifies claims like ‘sugar-free’ (≤ 0.5 g/100 g), ‘low sugar’ (≤ 5 g/100 g), or ‘no added sugars.’
Can sugar analysis detect added sweeteners?
HPLC sugar analysis detects mono- and disaccharides. For non-sugar sweeteners (e.g., aspartame, steviol glycosides), separate analyses are required — contact Ovalab for comprehensive sweetener screening.