Consumers Want to Know What Sweeteners are in their Foods

Here's an interesting article on food sweeteners from the Sugar Association. It's pro-sugar of course, and it's important to remember that refined sugar is addictive. But given a choice, I would choose (and do!) some real sugar over aspartame and other synthetic choices any day.

My favorite refined sugar substitute is "Wholesome Sweeteners Organic Fair Trade Sucanat." Whew! That's a mouthful! Sucanat stands for Sugar Cane Natural, is made by crushing the sugar cane, extracting the juice and evaporating the syrup to create a porous granule. It can be substituted cup-for-cup for refined white and brown sugars.

I just heard about a new sweetener called 'Just Like Sugar'. I haven't really checked it out yet, but I will and will write about it soon. (Today is Jan. 02, 2007)

Ok, about Just Like Sugar. I tried it and it's very good. I used it in coffee and sprinkled on cereal. Also on cinnamon toast. I even brought an order form to our local co-op but haven't seen any on the shelves yet. You can buy it online here.

WASHINGTON, July 18 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent survey of 1,786 respondents, conducted by Harris Interactive, showed that an overwhelming majority (78%) of American consumers prefer more information about what is sweetening their foods. According to the survey, consumers favor the proposed Nutrition Facts Panel below that expands the current sugars category by listing sugars, polyol and artificial sweeteners, with each category providing gram amounts. (see sample nutrition fact panels)

The desire to have more information about this important category of ingredients was further demonstrated when respondents were shown the same food product with two different front panels. The current front panel was compared to one in which each sweetening ingredient was listed on the front panel. Nearly 7 of 10 (68%) respondents stated that when a food or beverage contained an alternative (polyols and artificial), they wanted them listed on the front of the package.

These labeling changes are not without precedent. Canadian consumers know exactly what is sweetening their foods because Canada requires both the listing of all relevant categories in the Nutrition Facts Panel and the listing of any alternative on the front of the packaging when a product contains such sweeteners.

While it can be argued that all sweetener ingredients are now listed in the ingredient statement, the survey showed adults who purchase food for their families have very limited knowledge about sweeteners. Only six used in today's foods were heard of by more than 50% of the survey respondents.

When given a list of 4 ingredients and asked to identify which was a sugar alcohol/polyol sweetener, only 19% could answer correctly while nearly three-quarters (76%) were not sure.

Further, less than half of survey respondents could correctly identify whether 13 of the food ingredients commonly used today was a fat, protein, carbohydrate, sweetener, vitamin, mineral, preservative or bulking-filler. "Just 30 years ago you could count the number of sweetening ingredients on one hand. Today there are 26 ingredients used to sweeten foods.

This survey shows that consumers are not aware of what they are eating, and more specifically, what is sweetening their food," stated Andy Briscoe, President of the Sugar Association, who commissioned this consumer research. "The results of this survey support the petition we submitted to FDA last fall, asking for improvements in food labeling related to all sweeteners, to give consumers a better understanding of what is actually in their food."

Current Nutrition Facts Panel

Nutrition Facts Serving Size 1 cup (228g) Servings Per Container 2

Amount Per Serving Calories 250 Calories from Fat 110

% Daily Value Total Fat 12g 18% Saturated Fat 3g 15% Trans Fat 3g Cholesterol 30mg 10% Sodium 470mg 20% Total Carbohydrate 31g 10% Dietary Fiber 0g 0% Sugars 5g Protein 5g

Vitamin A 4% Vitamin C 2% Calcium 20% Iron 4%

Proposed Nutrition Facts Panel

Nutrition Facts Serving Size 1 cup (228g) Servings Per Container 2

Amount Per Serving Calories 250 Calories from Fat 110

% Daily Value Total Fat 12g 18% Saturated Fat 3g 15% Trans Fat 3g Cholesterol 30mg 10% Sodium 470mg 20% Total Carbohydrate 31g 10% Dietary Fiber 0g 0% Sugars/Syrups 5g Polyols 5g Lactitol 2.5g Sorbitol 2.5g Artificial Sweeteners 20mg Aspartame 10mg Sucralose 10mg Protein 5g

Vitamin A 4% Vitamin C 2% Calcium 20% Iron 4%

The Sugar Association, Inc. is a trade organization representing the nation's cane growers and refiners and sugar beet growers and manufacturers. We believe that pleasant tasting nutritious foods are important in maintaining a healthful diet and a high quality of life.

We seek to create and maintain an understanding that the benefits of sugar contribute to the flavor and quality of wholesome foods. The Association also seeks to increase appreciation of the non-food value of sugar. In pursuit of our mission, the Sugar Association is committed to integrity and sound scientific principles in all its programs.

SUGAR: The Natural Sweetener ... 15 CALORIES and 4 CARB GRAMS PER TEASPOON

SOURCE The Sugar Association www.Sugar.org ----------

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