Consumers Urge Comprehensive Artificial Sweetener Labeling Reform

Published online: Nov 20, 2020 News
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Source: The Sugar Association

The Sugar Association’s Citizen Petition to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has garnered the support of more than 1,500 consumers across the United States.

“Consumers deserve greater transparency around alternative sweeteners in their food,” said Courtney Gaine, PhD, RD, president and CEO of the Sugar Association.  “The broad public support generated to date reinforces the merit of our petition and sends a strong signal to FDA that consumers demand Agency action on this important food labeling issue.”

The Campaign for Sweetener Transparency (CST) is an initiative of the Sugar Association in support of the FDA Petition it filed in June seeking comprehensive reform of the labeling of sugar substitutes in foods and beverages. The petition calls for changes that will result in full transparency and an end to confusing and misleading sweetener information on food packages.

Individuals can still demonstrate their support throughout November by signing a Change.org petition created by the Campaign for Sweetener Transparency.  The petition and the names of those that sign it, will be sent in early December to FDA Commissioner, Dr. Stephen Hahn.

The use of artificial and other low- and no-calorie sweeteners in foods and beverages has increased more than 300% in the past five years. These ingredients can now be found in many everyday products consumers don’t expect like breads, cereals, granola bars, yogurt, ice cream, fruit snacks and children’s beverages.  But it can be difficult to figure out if these ingredients are in products because the FDA only requires food companies to list the chemical names on food labels.