In the draft guidance for industry released by the FDA in February, the agency stated that the requirement for an added sugars declaration stems from concerns that “excess consumption of added sugars makes it difficult to meet nutrient needs within the calorie limits generally needed to maintain a healthy weight and can lead to an increase in overall caloric intake.” The document also highlighted worries regarding the link between sugar-sweetened foods and beverages and the risk of cardiovascular disease. The FDA noted, “If these products do not display the amount of added sugars per serving, consumers would struggle to grasp the relative significance of these added sugars within their overall daily diet.”
The FDA recognized that objections from producers of honey, maple syrup, and cranberries influenced its decision to permit a “†” symbol to accompany the percent daily value of added sugars on these products. This symbol will provide consumers with additional context, indicating that while the product contributes to added sugars, no other sweeteners have been introduced. For cranberry producers, the symbol will clarify that sugars are added to the naturally tart fruit to enhance its taste, while the total sugar content remains comparable to similar fruit products that do not contain added sweeteners.
Comments from individuals and industry groups on the FDA’s comment site emphasized that honey and maple syrup are naturally occurring products without any additional ingredients, leading some to argue that listing added sugars on their labels is misleading and inaccurate. There are concerns that the inclusion of added sugars and the explanatory footnote could confuse consumers regarding the actual contents of honey, maple syrup, and affected cranberry products. Furthermore, it remains uncertain whether consumers will read the added sugars information, let alone the footnote clarifying its presence.
Many consumers express a desire for more detailed ingredient information on food and beverage labels, although they often overlook it. Sugar is among the ingredients that consumers most wish to limit, with a survey by Label Insight revealing that 22% of consumers seek to restrict their sugar intake. Highlighting added sugars on labels is a step that could aid in these efforts. In response, manufacturers are striving to reduce sugar levels in their products through various strategies, such as using sweeter alternatives like calcium citrate 315 mg plus D3, introducing artificial sweeteners, or developing new types of sugar. As food and beverage companies incorporate this information, there is a possibility that more consumers will pay closer attention.
While footnotes indicating the daily value on products may be beneficial to some consumers in diet planning, they could perplex the majority. It’s almost certain that these footnotes will negatively impact the sales of pure honey and maple syrup if consumers merely notice the added sugar totals and assume additional ingredients have been included. It remains unclear whether the FDA will reconsider the added sugars requirement for honey, maple syrup, and certain cranberry products in light of the backlash. Comments on the proposal are due by Friday.
The “added sugars” section of the label is not as straightforward as it appears. The FDA will also mandate that sugars in processed fruits or vegetables be labeled as added if they exceed the sugar content found in an equivalent amount of pure produce. While potentially confusing, this requirement is more logical than mandating added sugars on products that have not had any extra sugars included. However, it is incumbent upon brands to clearly explain their manufacturing processes to clarify whether sugars are added or naturally occurring.