Recently published research in The BMJ is providing fresh concerns about sugar consumption levels, as some industry stakeholders disagree with the conclusion and CPG brands look to innovate in the low- and no-sugar space. While this recent analysis is the latest in a string of research into sugar intake, “there is no new evidence here,” Courtney Gaine, president and CEO of the Sugar Association told FoodNavigator-USA. “This is a review of existing evidence, and even a well-executed systematic review is only as good as the studies that are inputted. Essentially, garbage in equals garbage out, and it is known that added sugars literature suffers from significant variability when it comes to definitions, intake measurements and control of energy and other diet and lifestyle variables.” On top of these variables, Gaine noted that the review is “primarily focused on sugar-sweetened beverages,” and not all sources of added sugars. “It is clear the outcomes of studies do depend on source, which is why there is now recognition that food and beverage sources of added sugars should be viewed differently in scientific analyses,” she added. “While popular amongst some to proclaim that reducing added sugars (to such levels as never before seen in over the 100 years of UDSA’s record-keeping) will improve health, the real-world data suggest otherwise, as we’ve seen sugar consumption drop 30% since 2000 while obesity rates in adults have tripled and in children, quadrupled.”
Read the full article here: https://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2023/04/18/experts-recommend-6-teapsoon-limit-to-added-sugar-following-bmj-review-industry-weighs-in?utm_source=copyright&utm_medium=OnSite&utm_campaign=copyright
March 22, 2026
"The Feeding the Economy report affirms the vital role food and agriculture play in our nation’s economic resilience and food security. Commercial bakers have long been proud partners to American agriculture, sourcing 85 percent of their core ingredients from domestic farmers....Sponsoring organizations from the food and agriculture industries, who helped make the 2026 study possible, provided commentary on this year’s findings. The full list of sponsoring organizations includes: ...The Sugar Association"
March 10, 2026
"Courtney Gaine, president and CEO of the Sugar Association, a scientific body that supports the U.S. sugar industry, told the USDA Outlook Forum that the school meal standards taking effect next year might prohibit added sugars in kindergarten meals and could significantly restrict them in other grades. That change alone would cut sugar demand by over 130,000 short tons. The industry faces additional pressure from rising GLP-1 weight-loss drug usage, which jumped from 12% in May 2024 to 18% in November 2025, though Gaine cautioned it remains "premature to assess the impact."
March 3, 2026
"Gaine added, "There is no data to support all this." She said the focus on added sugar is often politically motivated, but food groups have not pushed back on the MAHA pressure. There is a lot of fear of retaliation, and for good reason they have not wanted to push back publicly," Gaine said. "I think it’s going to demand a coordinated, really coordinated, pushing back. Any effort up (until) now has been to go along to get along, and I don’t know if that’s going to work."
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