The Attack On Sugars Ramp Up

The non-profit group, the Union of Concerned Scientists has filed a petition with the FDA to prohibit foods that are high in sugars to make health or nutrient claims such as “healthy” or “high in fiber.”

The group says that “Now that the FDA has DRVs for added sugar, and overwhelming evidence has illustrated that excessive added sugar consumption is linked to several chronic diseases, it is time for the FDA to reconsider…” 

The group goes on to say that: “It sends dangerous mixed messages to consumers for guidance and nutrition standards on the one hand to limit added sugars and yet to continue to allow food companies to make health claims on sugar-rich processed foods.” 

While many will debate whether or not such a move by the FDA makes sense, and surely the lobbyists are getting ready for a fight, there is little doubt that consumers are confused by these mixed messages that appear on food and beverage packaging. For me, the issue is not about sugar, or sodium or fat – it’s about how we can and should clearly label products so that in that split second when a shopper is trying to decide what they will buy, that all the honest information is easily read without the marketing hype.