ICUMSA Sugar Scale Explained: From 45 to 4600 — Every Grade Compared

The ICUMSA sugar scale is the global reference system for grading sugar by color and purity. Every commercially traded sugar — from the bright white refined sugar in retail packaging to the dark raw sugar shipped to refineries — has an ICUMSA rating. For buyers, understanding this scale means knowing which grades are food-safe, which are suitable for your application, and how to interpret the numbers on a specification sheet or Certificate of Analysis.

This guide breaks down the entire ICUMSA sugar scale — what each rating means, how the grades compare, and how to use the scale in procurement decisions.

What the ICUMSA Sugar Scale Measures

The ICUMSA sugar scale measures sugar color by calculating how much light a sugar solution absorbs at 420 nanometers wavelength. The result is expressed in ICUMSA Units (IU). Lower numbers indicate whiter, more refined sugar with fewer impurities; higher numbers indicate darker sugar with more residual molasses and processing byproducts. The scale runs from ICUMSA 45 (the whitest commercially available refined sugar) to ICUMSA 4600 or higher (minimally processed raw sugar).

For a full explanation of how ICUMSA ratings work and what the testing involves, see our guide to ICUMSA ratings explained.

How to Read ICUMSA Numbers — The Logic Behind the Scale

ICUMSA numbers are not arbitrary thresholds — they correspond directly to the degree of refinement a sugar has undergone. The refining process removes impurities, colorants, and molasses through stages of filtration, carbonatation, and crystallization. Each stage lowers the ICUMSA number.

A sugar rated ICUMSA 45 has been fully refined through all processing stages. A sugar rated ICUMSA 1200 is raw cane sugar that has been centrifuged to remove most of the molasses but has not gone through refining. The number tells you where the sugar sits on the raw-to-refined spectrum.

The ICUMSA number meaning extends beyond color. Lower ICUMSA numbers also correlate with:

• Higher sucrose purity (Pol%)

• Lower moisture content

• Lower ash content

• Lower reducing sugar levels

This is why the ICUMSA rating functions as shorthand for overall sugar quality in international trade — one number captures multiple quality parameters.

[IMAGE: Visual representation of the ICUMSA sugar scale showing color progression from white (ICUMSA 45) through cream (150), light brown (600), to dark brown (1200+)]

Complete ICUMSA Sugar Scale Chart

The ICUMSA ratings chart below covers every major grade from fully refined to raw sugar. This is the full reference buyers use to match grade to application.

ICUMSA Grade	Color Appearance	Sucrose (Pol%)	Processing Level	Food-Safe?	Typical Applications
45	Bright white	≥ 99.8%	Fully refined	Yes	Beverages, pharma, retail, premium food
100	White to off-white	≥ 99.5%	Fully refined	Yes	Food processing, industrial baking
150	Off-white/cream	≥ 99.0%	Refined	Yes	Industrial food, some retail markets
200–300	Light cream	98.5–99.0%	Semi-refined	Varies by market	Regional specialty, industrial use
400–600	Light brown	97.5–98.5%	Light raw	No (refinery input)	Industrial refining, fermentation
600–800	Medium brown	97.0–98.0%	Raw	No	Refinery feedstock, ethanol production
1200	Brown	≥ 97.0%	Raw	No	Standard raw sugar, refinery input
1200–1800 (VHP)	Brown	99.0–99.5%	Raw (high Pol)	No	Refinery input, commodity trading
2000–4600+	Dark brown	96.0–97.0%	Minimally processed	Varies	Specialty, organic, heritage varieties

Food-safe classification depends on destination country regulations. The table reflects general international standards; always verify with the importing country's food safety authority.

For detailed specifications on the most common refined grade, see ICUMSA 45 — the gold standard.

Refined White Sugar Grades (ICUMSA 45–150)

ICUMSA 45 — Maximum Refinement

ICUMSA 45 represents the highest level of refinement commercially available. Color is ≤ 45 IU, Pol is ≥ 99.8%, and all impurity parameters (moisture, ash, reducing sugars) are at the tightest tolerances. This is the grade required by pharmaceutical manufacturers, premium beverage producers, and retailers selling packaged white sugar.

Brazil is the dominant global supplier of ICUMSA 45, producing at scale from sugarcane. The grade commands a price premium over ICUMSA 150 and lower grades due to the additional processing required.

ICUMSA 100 — Food-Grade Middle Tier

ICUMSA 100 sits between ICUMSA 45 and ICUMSA 150 with color ≤ 100 IU and Pol ≥ 99.5%. It's fully refined and food-safe but does not meet the absolute whiteness or maximum purity standard of ICUMSA 45. This makes it suitable for most large-scale food manufacturing applications where color consistency in transparent products is not a concern.

Industrial bakeries, ingredient processors, and bulk food manufacturers are the primary buyers. The cost savings versus ICUMSA 45 are meaningful at scale without compromising food safety or product quality in most applications.

ICUMSA 150 — The Refined/Semi-Refined Threshold

ICUMSA 150 is the lowest grade typically classified as "refined white sugar" in international trade. Color is ≤ 150 IU, Pol is ≥ 99.0%, and it carries a cream to off-white appearance. It's food-safe in most markets and acceptable for industrial food production where the sugar's color does not affect the finished product.

For buyers deciding between ICUMSA 45 and ICUMSA 150, the choice comes down to application requirements, destination market regulations, and price sensitivity. Many buyers purchasing ICUMSA 45 could switch to ICUMSA 150 without any practical consequence to product quality.

Semi-Refined and Light Raw Grades (ICUMSA 200–600)

ICUMSA 200–300 — Regional and Specialty Grades

Sugars rated ICUMSA 200 to 300 are partially refined — more processed than raw sugar but not meeting the ICUMSA 150 threshold. These grades are less common in international bulk trade and are typically produced for specific regional markets or specialty applications where the light cream color and slightly lower purity are acceptable.

Some markets in Southeast Asia, Africa, and South Asia specify these grades for industrial use or certain retail applications where fully refined white sugar is not mandated by regulation.

ICUMSA 400–600 — Light Raw for Industrial Use

ICUMSA 400–600 grades are light raw sugars with visible brown color and Pol in the 97.5–98.5% range. These are not food-safe in most jurisdictions and are traded primarily as feedstock for refineries or industrial fermentation operations.

The distinction between semi-refined ICUMSA 300 and light raw ICUMSA 600 matters for customs classification and tariff purposes — many countries apply different import duties to raw versus refined sugar, with the dividing line often drawn around ICUMSA 400–600.

Raw Sugar Grades (ICUMSA 600–1200)

ICUMSA 600–800 — Standard Raw for Refining

Raw sugar in the ICUMSA 600–800 range is the standard feedstock for sugar refineries globally. It has been centrifuged to remove most molasses but retains significant color and impurities. Pol is typically 97.0–98.0%, and the sugar requires full refining before it can be sold as food-grade white sugar.

These grades are traded in bulk between refineries and sugar mills, particularly in Brazil-to-Europe and Brazil-to-Asia trade routes. End buyers in food manufacturing do not typically purchase these grades — they're intermediate products in the supply chain.

ICUMSA 1200 — The Raw Sugar Benchmark

ICUMSA 1200 is the most widely referenced raw sugar grade in international commodity contracts. It represents standard raw cane sugar with Pol ≥ 97.0% and color up to 1200 IU. This is the grade refineries purchase in bulk for processing into ICUMSA 45, ICUMSA 100, or ICUMSA 150.

ICUMSA 1200 is not food-safe without refining and is not sold to end consumers. Its primary market is refineries, though some industrial buyers use it for non-food fermentation or agricultural applications where sugar purity is less critical. For full specifications and sourcing details, see ICUMSA 600-1200 raw sugar grades.

VHP and Unrefined Grades (ICUMSA 1200–4600)

VHP Sugar (ICUMSA 1200–1800)

VHP (Very High Polarization) sugar is a specific category of raw sugar with ICUMSA color ratings between 1200 and 1800 but sucrose content (Pol) of 99.0–99.5% — rivaling refined grades. The high Pol makes VHP sugar valuable as refinery feedstock because it requires less processing to produce food-grade white sugar.

VHP is widely traded on commodity exchanges and represents a significant portion of Brazil's sugar exports. It's brown in color due to residual molasses and impurities, but the high sucrose content makes it economically attractive for refineries. For a detailed breakdown of VHP specifications and market positioning, see VHP sugar explained.

Specialty and Unrefined Sugars (ICUMSA 2000+)

ICUMSA ratings above 2000 indicate minimally processed or unprocessed sugars. These include certain organic varieties, heritage cane sugars, and specialty products where the dark color and molasses content are desirable rather than defects. Pol can range from 96.0% to 97.5%, and the sugar retains significant minerals, flavor compounds, and colorants from the original cane.

These grades are not typically traded in bulk commodity markets. They serve niche retail and specialty food applications where the sugar's flavor profile and unrefined character are part of the product positioning.

[IMAGE: ICUMSA ratings chart showing all grades from 45 to 4600 with color gradations and corresponding applications]

Which Grades Are Food-Safe?

Food safety classification depends on destination country regulations, but general international standards recognize ICUMSA 45, ICUMSA 100, and ICUMSA 150 as food-safe refined white sugar suitable for direct human consumption without further processing.

ICUMSA 200–300 grades fall into a gray area — some markets accept them for food use; others classify them as semi-refined and require additional processing. Buyers importing for food manufacturing should verify the destination country's specific regulations before committing to these grades.

ICUMSA 400 and above are generally not food-safe. These are raw or semi-raw grades intended as refinery input, not for direct food use. There are exceptions — some specialty organic sugars rated above ICUMSA 1500 are sold for retail consumption in markets with different regulatory frameworks — but these are niche cases.

The practical rule: if you're sourcing for food or beverage manufacturing, specify ICUMSA 150 or below. If you're sourcing for refinery input or industrial non-food applications, ICUMSA 600–1200 is standard.

How Buyers Should Use the ICUMSA Scale

The ICUMSA sugar scale gives buyers a consistent language for specifying quality across origins, suppliers, and contracts. Here's how to apply it:

For food and beverage buyers: Start by identifying your application's minimum specification. If your product is a clear beverage, you need ICUMSA 45. If it's industrial baking, ICUMSA 150 may work fine. Match the grade to the requirement — not the highest grade available.

For importers and distributors: Verify your destination market's food safety classification before committing to a grade. What's classified as food-safe in one market may require additional documentation or be prohibited entirely in another. Customs duties and tariff schedules often differ between refined and raw sugar grades.

For refineries and industrial buyers: Focus on Pol% alongside the ICUMSA rating. A high-Pol raw sugar like VHP (ICUMSA 1200–1800, Pol 99.0–99.5%) refines more efficiently than standard raw sugar (ICUMSA 1200, Pol 97.0%). The color rating tells you processing level; the Pol tells you yield.

For all buyers: Never accept a specification sheet without independent laboratory verification. The ICUMSA rating on a contract is only as reliable as the testing behind it. Require SGS, Bureau Veritas, or Intertek inspection with a Certificate of Analysis before accepting any shipment.

For comprehensive guidance on the grading system and how to apply it across different procurement scenarios, see our full guide to ICUMSA ratings explained.

Explore Our Sugar Grades

Understanding the ICUMSA sugar scale is the foundation of confident sugar procurement. Whether you need refined ICUMSA 45 for beverage production or VHP raw sugar for refinery input, matching the right grade to your application ensures product quality, regulatory compliance, and cost efficiency.

Visit our sugar products page to see the full range of grades we supply, with specifications, available origins, and shipping terms on FOB, CIF, and CFR basis.

Ready to discuss a specific volume or specification? Contact us to request a quote — we'll respond with pricing, documentation, and grade recommendations within 24 hours.