⭐ ICUMSA Explained: What 45, 100 and 150 Mean in Sugar Quality
A Complete Guide for Buyers + Full Specifications for Each Grade ICUMSA sugar levels
Every time you go to buy sugar, the products are labeled: ICUMSA 45, ICUMSA 100, ICUMSA 150, and even higher. At this point, many buyers, especially new importers, may ask themselves:
What do these numbers mean?
Is ICUMSA 45 better than ICUMSA 100?
Which one do I need for food production, retail, or industrial use?
Does the level of ICUMSA affect the price and quality?
The information below will explain everything you need to know about the different ICUMSA grades of sugar, how they are tested, and which one is appropriate for any given use. Further to this, since this article is also developed to help our customers understand the sugar that we sell and supply worldwide, we have added product specifications.
ICUMSA: What is it?
The acronym ICUMSA stands for International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis. This is an international organization which is involved with the standardization of methods in measuring the purity, quality, and color of sugar.
Think of ICUMSA as the “quality score” of sugar.
The ICUMSA number designates how “white” or “refined” the sugar is.
Lower ICUMSA = higher purity / whiter sugar
Higher ICUMSA = darker sugar / less refined
This number is determined by a sensitive optical test that measures sugar color once it has been dissolved in water.
⭐ Why ICUMSA Matters in the Global Sugar Market
This is because, if you are buying sugar for commercial use, for the production of food, or for resale, you should know about the ICUMSA levels because:
It would determine the quality.
There is a consumer preference for bright-white sugar. Food processors like clean, refined sugar.
✔ It influences the price
The ICUMSA sugar is more expensive due to the extra refining and purification, for example, undergone by ICUMSA 45.
✔ It determines the intended use
Some use fine white sugar, others use less processed versions of it.
✔ It protects you from fraud
Knowing the ICUMSA level helps you verify that suppliers are offering what they say.
This article will help you make a confident purchasing decision and understand exactly what you are getting.
ICUMSA 45 Sugar – Highest Quality Refined White Sugar
The premium and top-grade category in refined white sugar in the global market is ICUMSA 45. It is of bright white color, with high purity, very low ash content, and no contamination at all.
The sugar of this type is the standard form used for human consumption, retail packaging, beverage companies, confectionery, and pharmaceuticals.
Characteristics of ICUMSA 45
Pure white color (“sparkling white”)
Fully refined
Impurity levels extremely low
Lower moisture content
Excellent for all food industries
Free-flowing and non-sticking
Common Uses of ICUMSA 45
Soft drinks and beverages
Bakery and confectionery
Production of ice cream and desserts
Home consumption
Pharmaceutical and medical mixing
Any food industry requiring high purity levels
⭐ ICUMSA 45 Sugar Specifications (Typical Specification We Supply)
| Parameter | VALUE |
|---|---|
| ICUMSA | Max 45 IU |
| Polarity | 99.80% minimum |
| Moisture | 0.04% maximum |
| Ash | 0.04% maximum |
| Solubility | 100% dry & free-flowing |
| Color | Sparkling white |
| Radiation | Absent |
| Odor/Smell | Neutral, odorless |
| Granulation | Fine |
| Magnetic Particles | < 4 mg/kg |
| SO2 | < 20 ppm |
| Shelf Life | 24 months |
Our ICUMSA 45 sugar is shipped in 50-kg bags, 25-kg bags, jumbo 1-tonne bags, or other kinds of packaging if so desired by the customer.
⭐ ICUMSA 100 Sugar – Highly Refined, Food Grade White Sugar
ICUMSA 100 is high-quality refined sugar. It is less white than ICUMSA 45 but of a very excellent quality, suitable for most food and industrial applications.
This is popular, as it offers great quality at a more affordable price compared to ICUMSA 45.
Properties of ICUMSA 100
Very white colour
High purity
Slightly higher colour index than ICUMSA 45
Suitable for both drink and food productions
Lower cost because it is ideal for bulk buyers
Common Uses of ICUMSA 100
Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG)
Bakeries
Beverage industries
Canning and food processing
Bulk retail packaging
⭐ ICUMSA 100 Sugar Specifications
Parameter = Value
ICUMSA = maximum 100 IU
Polarity = 99.7% minimum
Moisture = 0.06% maximum
Ash = 0.06% maximum
Color = White
Solubility = 100%
Granulation = Fine
Magnetic Particles = < 4 mg/kg
We package ICUMSA 100 in either 50kg bags, bulk containers, or any other customized packaging required by the client.
⭐ ICUMSA 150 Sugar – Standard White/Light Yellow Sugar
Other names for ICUMSA 150 sugar include:
White Granulated Sugar
Plantation Sugar
Lightly Refined Sugar
This is slightly darker than ICUMSA 45 and 100 because it undergoes fewer steps in refining. However, it is 100% safe for human consumption and thus is widely used in large industries.
Characteristics of ICUMSA 150
White to light-yellow color
Less expensive
Ideal for industries which do not require brilliant-white sugar
Excellent solubility
Common Uses of ICUMSA 150
Bakeries
Breweries
Confectionery
Beverage manufacturers
Large-scale food production
Institutional kitchens
Industrial applications
⭐ ICUMSA 150 Sugar Specifications
Parameter = Value
ICUMSA = max 150 IU
Polarity = 99.5% minimum
Moisture = 0.08% maximum
Ash = 0.10% maximum
Color = White to light-yellow
Solubility = 100%
Granulation = Medium
Magnetic Particles = < 4 mg/kg
We supply ICUMSA 150 in bulk volumes suitable for factories and industrial buyers.
⭐ ICUMSA Levels Comparison: 45 vs 100 vs 150
| Feature | ICUMSA 45 | ICUMSA 100 | ICUMSA 150 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colour | Brilliant white | White | Light yellow |
| Purity | Best | Very high | High |
| Price | Highest | Moderate | Cheapest |
| Usage | Premium foods & beverages | Food industries | Industrial & food processing |
| Refining Level | Full-refined | High refinement | Middle refinement |
Each grade plays its role, depending on your industry and budget.
⭐ Which ICUMSA Level Should You Buy?
✔ Choose ICUMSA 45 if you need:
Premium sugar for FMCG
Retail supermarket packaging
Pharmaceutical-grade requirements
Brilliant-white appearance
✔ Choose ICUMSA 100 if you need:
Excellent quality for food production
Affordable refined sugar
Beverages and baking manufacturing
✔ Choose ICUMSA 150 if you need:
Industrial sugar
Lower-priced alternative
Breweries, bakeries, and confectioners
⭐ Packaging Options We Provide
We supply globally with the following packaging options:
50kg polypropylene bags (PP bags with inner liner)
25kg bags
1-ton jumbo bags
Custom private-label packaging
Bulk container shipments
We deal with international buyers, factories, large wholesalers, and retail distributors.
⭐ Why Buy Your Sugar From Us?
✔ Global supply capabilities
We are exporting sugar to any part of the world by reliable logistics with speedy delivery.
✔ High-quality ICUMSA-certified sugar
Each shipment is inspected, certified, and meets international standards.
✔ Competitive pricing
We offer our clients wholesale factory prices for container loads and bulk orders.
✔ Flexible packaging
Designing packaging to match your brand or industrial needs is our specialty.
✔ Professional service
From quotation to delivery, we provide full support.
⭐ Our Ordering Process: Simple & Efficient
- Please send us the desired ICUMSA grade (45, 100, or 150 + quantity).
- Receive quotation and full specifications.
- Confirm contract (SPA / PI).
- Agreement on safe method of payment (LC, SBLC, TT depending on location & order volume).
- Shipment by container or bulk vessel.
- Delivery to your nominated port.
We facilitate a very transparent and smooth sugar-buying process.
⭐ Final Thoughts
A proper understanding of ICUMSA sugar grading is, therefore, important for buyers around the world. Whether you need ICUMSA 45 for premium consumption, ICUMSA 100 for food processing, or ICUMSA 150 for industrial use, each grade comes with its own benefits, purity level, and pricing.
We supply all three sugar grades with reliable quality, consistent supply, and global delivery.
Refined Sugar Export to South Africa – Buy in Bulk – Sugar export South Africa
