What do the Nutri-Grade labels mean?

You would have come across “grades” on your favourite beverages in supermarkets. What do these grades mean?

The Health Promotion Board (HPB) introduced the Nutri-Grade labelling¹ system for sugar drinks. This new system could potentially impact your health in a positive way, so let’s dive in and understand how.

Interpreting Nutri-Grade:

According to the Health Promotion Board, all Nutri-Grade beverages will be graded using a single set of thresholds for sugar and saturated far content. The “Nutri-Grade” grading system uses four colours pegged to a respective grade²to show how much sugar and saturated fat are in a drink.

Here is the Nutri-grade grading system:

• Green, or “A”: These drinks contain <=1g of sugar content and no sweeter per 100ml of beverage. Examples of these beverages include plain water, unsweetened tea etc.
• Light green, or “B”: Drinks in this category contain >1 to 5g of sugar content per 100ml of beverage.
• Orange, or “C”: Drinks with the orange Nutri-Grade label contain >5 to 10g of sugar content per 100mL of beverage
• Finally, red, or “D”: Drinks in this category contain >10g of sugar content per 100mL of beverage.

Apart from the grades, the sugar level of the beverages is shown on the label in the form of percentage of total volume.

You may also find the Nutri-Grade mark on menus when selecting beverages, albeit in a simplified form.

Now that you have the knowledge of Nutri-Grade, it’s time to take action. Look for these labels at grocery stores, restaurants and your bubble tea shops. Furthermore, “D-graded” drinks face advertising restrictions², so you won’t see any ads for drinks with the lowest “D” Nutri-Grade on Singapore TV, newspapers, billboards, or even online. The only exception is for pre-packaged “D” drinks in supermarkets and convenience stores. However, even those ads need to clearly show the drink’s “D” rating.

Make healthy choices

With a clear Nutri-Grade labelling, it is easier for you to make a healthy choice. Here are some of the drinks that you can “Siu Dai” or even better, kosong, to reduce that sugar intake:

Kosong:

• Water: The ultimate refreshing and cost-effective drink!
• Homemade tea: Steep your favourite loose leaf tea or herbal blend, hot or cold.
• Flavoured water: Infuse water with fruits, herbs, or vegetables for a natural twist.

“Siu Dai”:

• Kopi-O/Teh less sweet: Once you get used to the “Siu Dai” taste, you won’t like your full sugar anymore.
• Bubble tea with 50% or 25% sugar: Reducing the sugar percentage in your bubble tea can go a long way.
• Beverages with Healthier Choice Symbol (HCS): Drinks with this symbol contain at least 25% less sugar³ compared to similar products of the same category.

Eating healthy helps you save money

Making healthy choices like opting for less sugar doesn’t just benefit your immediate health, but also your wallet in the long run. Think about it – healthier choices often mean reduced healthcare costs, increased productivity, and a better quality of life. This translates to less financial strain in the future, allowing you to focus on the things that truly matter.

​Choosing wisely

FWD offers various insurance plans in Singapore, including critical illness insurance, to provide you with peace of mind and financial. By taking charge of your health today with making “Siu Dai” choices and exploring FWD Critical Illness Plus⁴, you’re investing in a brighter, financially secure future for yourself and your loved ones. Making small changes now can lead to big rewards down the road.

FWD Critical Illness Plus provides a lump sum payout if you are diagnosed with early and intermediate stages of cancer, heart attack, stroke and 37 late-stage critical illnesses. From S$15.30/month, get a sum insured of S$50k for a 10-year renewable term.*

*Male, aged 18, non-smoking