Sweet Truths: Navigating Added Sugar Awareness in America

Did you know that over 80% of US consumers read product information on the packaging? This highlights the importance of providing clear and accurate information to consumers about the products they purchase. One area of particular interest is the amount of added sugar in food and beverages.

Added sugar awareness

The majority of the American consumers get their added sugar intake from consuming sugar sweetened beverages, baked goods, desserts, and sweets. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends limiting calories from added sugars to less than 10 percent of total calories per day. For example, if one consumes a 1,800 calorie daily diet, that would be 180 calories or 45 grams of added sugars per day. Consuming too much added sugars can make it challenging to meet nutrient needs while staying within calorie limits. In the long-term exceeding the calorie limit can result in overweight, obesity and diabetes.

According to Sensus survey, 56% of US consumers read information about added sugar on product packaging. This is not surprising given the growing awareness of the health risks associated with excessive sugar consumption, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. To help consumers make informed choices, the FDA has introduced labeling requirements for added sugars on packaged foods and drinks. This makes it easier for consumers to identify products that contain high levels of added sugar and to choose healthier alternatives.

Chicory root fiber for sugar reduction

The interest in added sugars gives food manufacturers the boost to explore innovative ways to reduce sugar content in their products. By incorporating chicory root fiber into your recipes, you can replace sugar and fat to create healthier and more nutritious alternatives. Chicory root fiber is an extremely versatile ingredient that can be applied to reduce the added sugar content in food concepts. As Sensus chicory root fiber is not an ‘added sugar’, either in whole or in part, it must be specified as ‘dietary fiber’ under ‘Total carbohydrates’ in the US.

Besides being used for sugar reduction, this plant-based prebiotic fiber can be applied to enhance the fiber content, reduce fat or to stimulate digestive health. These innovative ingredients enhance taste and texture while providing significant health-promoting benefits.

Contact our sales representative to learn more about how chicory root fiber can help reduce sugar content in your products. Let’s explore the possibilities together!