Mango juice, nectar and drink: what to compare on the label

Read the name beside the picture

Fruit juice, fruit nectar and a mango-flavoured drink are different descriptions. EU rules distinguish fruit juice from nectar, and nectars declare a minimum fruit content. Do not assume that a prominent mango picture means 100% mango juice.

Read the complete name and ingredients, including whether several fruits are blended. From concentrate describes a production format; it does not alone tell you the total sugar in the glass. Check the nutrition panel for that comparison.

Compare on the same basis

Use sugars per 100 ml when comparing drinks, rather than comparing one brand's small serving with another brand's large serving. The sugars line includes total sugars, not only added sugar. An ingredient list helps identify added ingredients; a front claim should not replace reading both panels.

For example, two hypothetical drinks labelled 10 g and 12 g sugars per 100 ml contain 20 g and 24 g respectively in a 200 ml glass. These are calculation examples, not values for products sold here. Use the figures on the actual carton.

Choose the size around opening

• Buying for one meal? Count the planned glasses and their approximate size.
• Buying a large carton? Check refrigerated storage and use-after-opening instructions.
• Choosing a multipack? Check the number of containers and each container's volume.
• Shopping for a dietary need? Verify the exact label rather than relying on the fruit name.

A litre price helps compare equivalent formats, but an unopened remainder and an opened remainder have different storage needs. Read the label when the order arrives and keep the carton until it is finished. For a meal basket, choose the food first and add the drink quantity you expect to serve, rather than adding a large pack simply to reach a delivery threshold.

Sources and label checks

• EUR-Lex: fruit juices and similar products
• European Commission: nutrition comparisons