Sugar Association responds to FDA’s proposed rule on front-of-package nutrition labeling

January 14, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) – The following reaction statement is attributable to Sugar Association President and CEO Courtney Gaine, PhD, RD:

“The Sugar Association supports transparency, but this draft label offers only the illusion of transparency – it entirely leaves out total calories and the use of industrial additives like artificial sweeteners. In fact, by singling out added sugars, FDA is once again knowingly incentivizing proliferation of artificial sweeteners that hide behind chemical names Americans do not recognize – including in food for children.

We support the goal of limiting added sugars to less than 10% of total calories, but this should not be achieved by misleading consumers or manipulating the food supply with more additives. Most Americans prefer to avoid low- and no-calorie sweeteners in food, and health organizations have repeatedly raised concerns about their widespread use. At some point, some agency needs to acknowledge that we don’t have a good grasp on how pervasive these sweeteners have become in our food supply, unbeknownst to most Americans.”

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The Sugar Association, founded in 1943, is the scientific voice of the U.S. sugar industry. The association is committed to making a difference by continuously supporting scientific research and sharing its knowledge that there’s more to sugar by increasing consumer understanding of and confidence in the role that real sugar plays in a nutritious, balanced and enjoyable diet. The Sugar Association represents nearly 11,000 beet and cane sugar growers, as well as processors and refiners of sugar. The U.S. sugar industry generates 151,000 jobs in more than two dozen states and contributes $23.3 billion to the economy annually. For more information, visit www.sugar.org, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and connect with us on Facebook.