Transform Your Future: Ace the 2026 Certified Diabetes Educator Exam!

The designation 'sugar-free' on food labeling is defined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines, which state that to qualify as sugar-free, a product must contain less than 0.5 grams of sugar per serving. Therefore, a food item that has 1/2 gram or less of sugar is considered to be sugar-free, which aligns with the answer provided.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the regulatory definition. While the first choice suggests that a product could contain up to 1 gram of sugar and still be labeled as sugar-free, this is not permissible under FDA guidelines. The third option implies that all natural sugars must be eliminated for a product to be labeled as sugar-free, which is incorrect since small amounts that are allowable can still be present. The fourth option incorrectly states that only artificial sweeteners are permitted, although many sugar-free products can use both artificial and natural sweeteners that do not contribute significant sugar content.