added sugars definition fda
Instead of acknowledging the scientific evidence linking added sugars to health problems, food industry comments to the FDA opposing the added sugars label repeatedly attempt to cast aspersions on the science and manufacture doubt (see the table below). One change proposed by the FDA that has generated significant attention is the addition of a separate line for added sugars. This line would indicate how much of the product’s total sugar had been added during manufacturing, as opposed to naturally occurring sugars. NMPF offered three specific reasons to exclude lactose-containing dairy ingredients from the definition of added sugars: 1  Unlike typical added sugars, dairy ingredients containing lactose are not used primarily to sweeten foods. But, under FDA’s proposed definition, NMPF said the lactose in a tablespoon of nonfat dry milk incorporated into another food would count as an “added sugar,” while the lactose in a glass of milk would not. “Surely, that can’t be what FDA intends,” said Beth Briczinski, NMPF’s vice present for dairy foods and nutrition. 1 The federal definitions of many standard dairy products allow them to include lactose-containing dairy ingredients, like nonfat milk powder, while still allowing the product to be called “unsweetened.” Examples include unsweetened yogurt and no-sugar-added ice cream. The agency, though, acknowledges in its March 3 proposal that it is “ not aware of any existing consumer research that has examined this topic. ”. One public comment provided to FDA did offer consumer research, and the data thoroughly undercuts the “Added Sugars” proposal. The International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation conducted a consumer survey that conformed to OMB requirements for government research. The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) proposed addition of “added sugars” to the mandatory Nutrition Facts label on packaged food lacks scientific justification, is more likely to confuse than inform consumers, and will expose the agency to a constitutional challenge. Fact sheet. In the more than two decades since the passage of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990, the Nutrition Facts label has become an almost universally recognizable fixture on food packaging, providing valuable nutrition information to the public. None of the sugar is naturally occurring. If the proposed Nutrition Facts label is adopted in its entirety, consumers might look at the 22 grams of Total Sugars, and the 22 grams of Added Sugars, and conclude that the tea contains 44 grams per serving. Commenting August 1st on the FDA’s proposed changes to the nutrition facts label, NMPF was basically supportive of FDA’s proposal to list added sugars, saying it will clarify the contribution of lactose to dairy products and allow consumers to pinpoint added sweeteners in foods.
Contribution of lactose to dairy products and allow consumers to pinpoint added sweeteners in foods.