When Added Sugar Data Is Missing: How Imputation Works

Source: The WISEcode Standard v1.0, Sections 3.1.7 and 7.1.

What imputation means

Imputation is the process of estimating a missing value using standardised logic rather than leaving it blank. In the Standard it is applied most often to added sugar content, because a large share of commercial product records either omit the added sugars line or carry it in an unusable form.

Where the estimate comes from

• Standardised internal logic based on the declared ingredient list and the position of sweeteners within it
• Category averages for comparable products
• Validated reference databases, including USDA FoodData Central

Why this can move your score

The sugar penalty runs from 0 to 7 points and is assigned in ten-point bands of energy from added sugar. An imputed value that lands one band away from your true figure will shift the final Wc-UPF score by a point, which is occasionally enough to change the processing tier.

How to replace an estimate with real data

1. Confirm your Nutrition Facts Panel declares added sugars in grams per serving.
2. Confirm total calories per serving and the serving size are both present and consistent.
3. Make sure the panel does not display a percent Daily Value for Total Sugar, which is not a valid declaration and is flagged during data sanitation.
4. Submit the corrected panel through your Portfolio so the record is rescored against declared rather than estimated values.

Where a figure has been imputed, treat the resulting score as provisional until the declared data is in place.