Consumers want to know more about their food than ever before – where it comes from, what’s in it and how it was produced. That has resulted in a surge of more and better information on food labels in recent years.
However, there remains a significant gap in food labeling when it comes to the use of low- and no- calorie sweeteners. The Sugar Association believes that consumers have a right to know what is in the food and drinks they consume. The Association supports labeling that is accurate and not misleading for consumers.
Citizen Petition
“Consumers deserve to know what is in their food so they can make informed decisions for themselves and their families,” said Courtney Gaine, PhD, RD, President and CEO of the Sugar Association. “These changes by FDA will bring the complete transparency in sweetener labeling that we know consumers want, deserve and should expect.”
The Petition asks the FDA to require the following changes to food labeling by issuing official industry guidance supported by the Agency’s enforcement discretion:
- Add the term “Sweetener” in parentheses after the name of all non-nutritive sweeteners in the ingredient list.
- For children’s food and beverages, indicate the type and quantity of non-nutritive sweeteners, in milligrams per serving, on the front of food packages.
- For products making a sugar content claim (i.e. No/Low/Reduced Sugar), require the disclosure, “Sweetened with [name of Sweetener(s)]” beneath the claim.
- Disclose the potential gastrointestinal side effects from the consumption of sugar alcohols and some sugar substitutes in foods at the lowest observed effect levels.
- Ensure all sugar content claims related to sugar and sugar substitutes are truthful and non-misleading.
Link to FDA Citizen Petition
Link to Supplement to Petition
Link to Petition Docket