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Dark Brown Sugar

Image: Open Food Facts (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Common questions

Is Dark Brown Sugar healthy?

Dark Brown Sugar scores 60/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — a fair-to-good score — solid, with tradeoffs. Dark brown sugar is primarily composed of refined sugar and cane molasses, which are processed ingredients with limited nutritional benefits.

How processed is Dark Brown Sugar?

Dark Brown Sugar is NOVA Group 2: Processed Culinary Ingredients.

Which ingredients drive Dark Brown Sugar's score?

In Scout's ingredient-by-ingredient analysis, Sugar is flagged as an ingredient of concern. The full breakdown, with why each one matters, is in the Key ingredients section on this page.

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Dark Brown Sugar

Food Club
60 Fair

Analysis updated September 2026 · How Scout scores

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At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 0
Harmful ingredients 1
Owned by Topco Associates, LLC
Category Condiments
Summary

Dark brown sugar is primarily composed of refined sugar and cane molasses, which are processed ingredients with limited nutritional benefits. The high carbohydrate content and lack of essential nutrients make it a less healthy option. While it is not heavily processed, the presence of refined sugar contributes to potential health risks such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Key ingredients 2

Cane molasses
Neutral

Cane molasses is a byproduct of sugar refining that retains some minerals and nutrients. It contains small amounts of vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, and magnesium. However, it is still high in sugar and should be consumed in moderation.

Risks

High sugar content may contribute to health issues if consumed in large quantities.

Benefits

Provides trace amounts of minerals like iron and calcium, which can contribute to daily nutrient intake.

See more about Cane molasses →
Sugar
Bad

Refined sugar is a highly processed ingredient with no nutritional benefits. It is associated with increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. The refining process removes any potential nutrients, leaving only empty calories.

Risks

Excessive consumption of refined sugar can lead to weight gain, insulin resistance, and increased risk of chronic diseases.

See more about Sugar →

Processing

Group 2 · Culinary ingredients

Processed Culinary Ingredients

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