Washington, July 18 - A recent survey of 1,786 respondents, conducted by Harris Interactive, showed that an overwhelming majority (78%) of American consumers prefer more information about what is sweetening their foods. According to the survey, consumers favor the proposed Nutrition Facts Panel below that expands the current sugars category by listing sugars, polyol sweeteners, and artificial sweeteners, with each category providing gram amounts.
The desire to have more information about this important category of ingredients was further demonstrated when respondents were shown the same food product with two different front panels. The current front panel was compared to one in which each sweetening ingredient was listed on the front panel. Nearly 7 of 10 (68%) respondents stated that when a food or beverage contained alternative sweeteners (polyols and artificial), they wanted them listed on the front of the package.
These labeling changes are not without precedent. Canadian consumers know exactly what is sweetening their foods because Canada requires both the listing of all sweetener categories in the Nutrition Facts Panel and the listing of any alternative sweetener on the front of the packaging when a product contains such sweeteners.
While it can be argued that all sweetener ingredients are now listed in the ingredient statement, the survey showed adults who purchase food for their families have very limited knowledge about sweeteners. Only six sweeteners used in today's foods were heard of by more than 50% of the survey respondents.
When given a list of 4 sweetening ingredients and asked to identify which was a sugar alcohol/polyol sweetener, only 19% could answer correctly while nearly three-quarters (76%) were not sure.
Further, less than half of survey respondents could correctly identify whether 13 of the food ingredients commonly used today was a fat, protein, carbohydrate, sweetener, vitamin, mineral, preservative or bulking-filler.
"Just 30 years ago you could count the number of sweetening ingredients on one hand. Today there are 26 ingredients used to sweeten foods. This survey shows that consumers are not aware of what they are eating, and more specifically, what is sweetening their food," stated Andy Briscoe, President of the Sugar Association, who commissioned this consumer research. "The results of this survey support the petition we submitted to FDA last fall, asking for improvements in food labeling related to all sweeteners, to give consumers a better understanding of what is actually in their food."
Current Nutrition Facts Panel
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 cup (228g)
Servings Per Container 2
Amount Per Serving
Calories 250 Calories from Fat 110
% Daily Value
Total Fat 12g 18%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Trans Fat 3g
Cholesterol 30mg 10%
Sodium 470mg 20%
Total Carbohydrate 31g 10%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Sugars 5g
Protein 5g
Vitamin A 4%
Vitamin C 2%
Calcium 20%
Iron 4%
Proposed Nutrition Facts Panel
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 cup (228g)
Servings Per Container 2
Amount Per Serving
Calories 250 Calories from Fat 110
% Daily Value
Total Fat 12g 18%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Trans Fat 3g
Cholesterol 30mg 10%
Sodium 470mg 20%
Total Carbohydrate 31g 10%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Sugars/Syrups 5g
Polyols 5g
Lactitol 2.5g
Sorbitol 2.5g
Artificial
Sweeteners 20mg
Aspartame 10mg
Sucralose 10mg
Protein 5g
Vitamin A 4%
Vitamin C 2%
Calcium 20%
Iron 4%
The Sugar Association, Inc. is a trade organization representing the nation's cane growers and refiners and sugar beet growers and manufacturers. We believe that pleasant tasting nutritious foods are important in maintaining a healthful diet and a high quality of life. We seek to create and maintain an understanding that the benefits of sugar contribute to the flavor and quality of wholesome foods. The Association also seeks to increase appreciation of the non-food value of sugar. In pursuit of our mission, the Sugar Association is committed to integrity and sound scientific principles in all its programs.