Nutritionally, NFC (not-from-concentrate) juice and juice made from concentrate are very similar: both can be labelled 100% juice, and sugar, calories and minerals are about the same. NFC usually tastes fresher because it is not evaporated, but it costs more to ship and store because it contains all its water – roughly 4–6 times the volume of concentrate.
How are the two made?
- NFC juice: fruit is pressed, the juice is pasteurised and packed. It can be chilled (short shelf life) or shelf-stable (heat-treated and aseptically packed or canned).
- From concentrate: the juice is heated under vacuum to remove most of its water, shipped as concentrate, then water (and often recovered aroma) is added back before packing.
Is NFC juice healthier?
| Aspect | NFC | From concentrate |
|---|---|---|
| Calories and sugar | Same as fruit juice | Same, if fully reconstituted with no added sugar |
| Minerals (e.g. potassium) | Retained | Retained |
| Vitamin C and aroma | Slightly higher | Slightly lower after extra heating; vitamin C is sometimes added back |
| Taste | Closer to fresh fruit | Can taste slightly cooked |
| Label | “Not from concentrate” | “From concentrate” |
So the health difference is small. The bigger difference is between any 100% juice and nectars or juice drinks with added sugar. Either way, a sensible adult portion is about 150 ml a day.
Why does NFC juice cost more?
- Volume and weight: shipping and storing the full-strength juice costs more than shipping concentrate.
- Storage: chilled NFC needs a cold chain; shelf-stable NFC needs aseptic or canning lines.
- Raw material: NFC depends on good fruit at the right ripeness, with less room to blend batches.
How to read a juice label
- “100% juice” – no added sugar; may be NFC or from concentrate.
- “Not from concentrate” – NFC.
- “Nectar” – typically 25–50% juice with water and often sugar.
- “Juice drink” – lower juice content still.
For more detail see NFC fruit juice explained and 100% juice, NFC and concentrate.
NFC juices from ACM
ACM produces NFC juices such as soursop, mango and mixed fruit in cans and PET, alongside other juice formats for private label. Browse the fruit juice range or read is bottled fruit juice good for you?
Frequently asked questions
Is juice from concentrate bad for you?
No. If it is 100% juice with no added sugar, it is nutritionally similar to NFC juice.
Does NFC juice need refrigeration?
Chilled NFC does. Shelf-stable NFC in cans or aseptic packs does not until opened.
Why does concentrate juice taste different?
Evaporation removes some aroma compounds and applies extra heat, which can give a slightly cooked note.
Which is better for export?
Concentrate is cheaper to ship; shelf-stable NFC offers a fresher taste for premium positioning.
