If you’re in the food, beverage, or pharmaceutical industry, sugar quality matters more than ever. But how do you evaluate sugar grades across international suppliers? That’s where ICUMSA ratings come in — a standardized system that ensures every shipment you import meets consistent quality, purity, and usability standards.

In this article, we break down the ICUMSA sugar grading system, explain what each level means, and show why ICUMSA 45 remains the global benchmark for premium refined white sugar.

Understanding the ICUMSA Scale

ICUMSA stands for the International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis — an organization responsible for setting international methods to evaluate sugar quality. The ICUMSA scale uses a numerical range to rate sugar based on:

• Color (purity)
• Ash content
• Solubility
• Moisture level

The lower the ICUMSA number, the more refined and pure the sugar is.

👉 See how this impacts sourcing decisions in What is ICUMSA 45 Sugar?

Common Sugar Grades and What They Mean

ICUMSA 45 is the standard for food-grade white sugar. It dissolves quickly, contains minimal ash, and has zero aftertaste — ideal for recipes requiring clarity and consistency.

Why ICUMSA 45 Is the Gold Standard

✅ Meets International Standards: ISO 22000, SGS-tested, HALAL-certified
✅ Safe for Sensitive Applications: Used in medical syrups, baby food, soft drinks
✅ Global Availability: Exported worldwide in 25kg and 50kg bags
✅ Perfect Solubility: Dissolves fast with no sediment or discoloration

👉 Learn about supplier reliability in Top ICUMSA 45 Exporters in Asia

What Sugar Grade Does Your Business Need?

Choose your sugar grade based on your application:

🧃 ICUMSA 45: For beverages, pharma, dairy, and white-label retail brands
🍞 ICUMSA 100–150: For mass-market food production where color isn’t critical
⚙️ ICUMSA 600+: For fermentation, ethanol, and industrial applications

If your business depends on food safety and uniform quality — ICUMSA 45 is your best choice.

👉 Compare it to molasses-rich sugars in our ICUMSA 45 vs Brown Sugar Guide

Cavin Resource ICUMSA 45 Export Specs

As one of Malaysia’s trusted sugar exporters, Cavin Resource supplies certified ICUMSA 45 sugar to over 40 countries.

✅ Available in 25MT container-loads
✅ SGS lab-tested and COA provided
✅ Packed in 25kg/50kg moisture-proof PP bags
✅ ISO, SGS, HALAL certified

👉 Explore Cavin Resource’s ICUMSA 45 Sugar Product

Bonus: Brown Sugar vs. White Sugar Grading

While ICUMSA ratings primarily apply to white/refined sugar, brown sugar follows different specs based on molasses content and moisture. Cavin Resource also supplies:

🌕 Light Brown Sugar – mild molasses, golden color
🌑 Dark Brown Sugar – richer flavor, higher moisture

Both types are ISO and HALAL certified and ideal for:

• Bakery products
• Sauces and marinades
• Cereals and gourmet goods

👉 View Our Natural Brown Sugar Range

Download Our Full ICUMSA Comparison Chart (PDF)

📩 Want to share with your procurement team?
📊 Download a full chart comparing ICUMSA 45, 100, and 600+ with specs, applications, and certification requirements.

✅ Export-friendly format
✅ Suitable for tender documentation
✅ Includes storage + packaging notes

👉 Request the ICUMSA Grading PDF Now or contact us for lab-tested sugar supply.