Grocery Group Says No Need for Sugar Labels

This section is compiled by Frank M. Painter, D.C.
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WASHINGTON (Reuters) Friday September 29- US food manufacturers said on Thursday that there was no need for the federal government to require additional information on food labels about the sugar content of food.

In comments filed with the Food and Drug Administration (news - web sites) (FDA), the Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA) urged the agency to deny a petition by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), a consumer nutrition group.

CSPI has asked FDA to require food manufacturers to list the amount of “added sugar” in a food product.

Currently, labels list “total sugars”, which includes both naturally-occurring sugars and sugars added during the manufacturing process, said Michael Jacobson, executive director of CSPI.

“Added sugars and naturally occurring sugars are indistinguishable to the body,” GMA said in its statement. “Special labeling requirements for added sugars would lead consumers to falsely believe that added sugars are different from and worse than naturally occurring sugars.”

But Jacobson said the addition would help consumers make a more informed decision about the food they eat.

“It's not a chemical difference we're talking about. It's more the kind of the company these sugars keep,” he said.

Many foods, such as fruit, which are high in naturally occurring sugar, contain other important nutrients. Foods high in added sugars are often lacking in nutritional value, Jacobson said.

CPSI would also like FDA to recommend a "reasonable level" of daily sugar consumption and require food manufacturers to list that information on the label.

If the recommended maximum daily level were set at 40 grams, it would only take one 12-ounce can of soda to meet that level, Jacobson said.

A sharp increase in US sugar consumption since 1981 could cause health problems in the future because diets high in sugar are often low in important nutrients, he said.

FDA is not expected to require additional sugar information on labels anytime soon.

If the agency decides to move on the issue, it could still be another five years before consumers see any change in labels, Jacobson said.

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