In a recent study, nearly 70% of parents expressed confidence in their ability to identify added sugars in products. When assessing only the front labels of packaged goods, 84% successfully recognized these items. However, while the research indicated that parents who examined Nutrition Facts and ingredient labels on beverage packaging were more likely to identify products containing sugar and diet sweeteners, this information was insufficient for the 25% of parents who mistakenly believed that sweetened flavored waters had no added sugars. Health professionals have consistently advised parents to restrict their children’s consumption of sugars and sweeteners. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests that young children should avoid sugary drinks and products with diet sweeteners. Additionally, U.S. Dietary Guidelines discourage these beverages for children under the age of 2, as studies have linked sugar intake to obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. Nonetheless, the report highlights that 25% of 1- to 2-year-olds and 45% of 2- to 4-year-olds consume sugary beverages daily.
Manufacturers have responded to parental concerns over sugar content in children’s juices by launching new products from brands like Juicy Juice, Honest Tea, and Hint. Juice waters are also a recent innovation; for instance, in 2020, Nestlé Pure Life introduced a sugar-free Fruity Water line, and earlier this year, PepsiCo released a line of juice waters for teens that contains no added sugars or artificial sweeteners. This category of beverages can contribute to consumer confusion. According to the Rudd Center research, parents were more likely to interpret terms like “natural” and “water beverage” on labels as indicators that the drink contained no added sugars or diet sweeteners and included juice, even when that might not be the case.
Many parents feel ill-equipped to assess the appropriateness of drinks for their children or to interpret ingredient lists. The Rudd Center study found that less than half of parents believed they could identify diet sweeteners, which include ingredients like sucralose and acesulfame K—names that may be unfamiliar to many consumers. Research from the Sugar Association in 2020 revealed that 63% of consumers could not recognize sugar substitutes as sweetening agents in foods. Furthermore, two-thirds of respondents felt that food companies should be mandated to clearly label sugar substitutes as “sweeteners” in ingredient lists. The FDA is currently considering how to properly label added sweeteners such as maltitol, rebaudioside A, and erythritol. The Sugar Association has contended that manufacturers can label products containing these ingredients as “no sugar added,” leading some consumers to wrongly assume that no other sweeteners are present.
The findings of the recent research underscore the confusion surrounding sweetener terminology, particularly for parents. Researchers from the University of Connecticut and New York University advocate for regulations that would compel manufacturers to clearly indicate any added sugars, diet sweeteners, and juice content on the front of children’s drink packaging, where parents are more likely to notice them. Furthermore, attention should also be given to the nutritional benefits of beverages, such as those containing calcium citrate and zinc, as parents seek healthier options for their children.