In keeping with the Ministry of Health, we have updated our web pages and menus to include nutri-grade labels.
What is “nutri-grade”
Nutri-grade is a mandatory labelling scheme introduced by the Singapore government to help consumers identify beverages higher in sugar and saturated fat and thus be encouraged to make better, more informed choices about what they are consuming.
What the grades mean
Nutri-grade consists of four colour-coded grades. Grade A, shown in green, has the lowest sugar and saturated fat while Grade D, in red, indicates the highest levels. Apart from the grades, the label also displays the percentage of sugar in the beverage. Beverages rated a "C" or “D” must have a Nutri-Grade label on its packaging or on menus and other promotional materials. Labels for beverages rated “A” or “B” remains optional.
Nutri-grade A: Drinks contain minimal sugar, no sweetener and minimal saturated fat content
< 1g* sugar and no sweetener | < 0.7g* saturated fat
*per 100ml of drink
Nutri-grade B: Drinks contain low levels of sugar and/or saturated fat
>1 to 5g* sugar | >0.7g to 1.2g* saturated fat
*per 100ml of drink
Nutri-grade C: Drinks contain substantial level of sugar and/or saturated fat
>5 to 10g* sugar | >1.2 to 2.8g*saturated fat
*per 100ml of drink
Nutri-grade D: Drinks contain the highest sugar and/or saturated fat content
>10g* sugar | >2.8g* saturated fat
*per 100ml of drink
What to take into consideration
Nutri-Grade assesses a beverage based on its sugar and saturated fat content. Therefore a healthier grade does not necessarily equate to a healthier drink. Beverages like full-fat milk might receive a "C" grade not because of its minimal or no added sugar content, but because of its high levels of saturated fat. It however is still acknowledged as a good source of protein and calcium and essential for children’s growth and development.
Similarly while fruits and vegetables do have natural sugars, they also provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The soluble fiber present in them further aids in slowing down sugar absorption and contributes to a sense of fullness.
When considering a drink, it is important to ask:
- What are the ingredients? Is it artificially sweetened?
- Is it mainly empty calories or are there nutrients (i.e. vitamins, minerals, fiber) that could play a crucial role in overall health?
- What sort of fats are in the drink? Saturated fats can cause cholesterol to build up in your arteries, while monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats have heart-healthy benefits and can help reduce bad cholesterol levels in your blood.
Overall, a healthy beverage contributes positively to an individual's health and well-being.
Green Hydrant’s Juices
At green hydrant, we advocate for vegetable-heavy juices. We want you to benefit from the vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants present in the raw ingredients. That is why each recipe has been carefully crafted to keep the natural sugar content low so our juices remain nutritious, yet delicious.