European Commission Plans to Ban Added Sugars from Fruit Juice

A decision by the European Commission (EC) could ban added sugars in fruit juices, according to news released by the body last Wednesday.

The decision to amend the EC’s Fruit Juice Directive would place an outright ban on added sugars in fruit juices, which were previously allowed to contain up to 150 g of sugar per liter of juice.

Some exceptions will be made to the new rule, including nectars, which will be allowed to contain added sugar of up to 20% of the product’s total weight. In all cases of added sugar, a product must clearly be labeled as “sweetened” or “with added sugar” along with an indication of the maximum sugar added per liter.

The Commission states that its decision falls in line with the “Commission policy of reducing added sugars in products and promoting balanced diet.”

Before enacted, the bill must see votes in the European Parliament and European Council. To read the EC’s related news brief, click here.