7: Sugar reference

Natural sugar occurs in many healthy foods, especially milk and fruits – and it’s always accompanied by other vital nutrients.
But contrary to WHO* the food industry disregards the difference between added sugar (empty calories) and natural sugar. This makes the amount of added sugar appear lower.

We call it the sugar reference trick.

The GDA on these Kellogg’s Frosties says 13% – based on added + natural sugar.

The correct figure is 24% when based on added sugar only.

The sugar reference trick also makes Frosties look healthier than an apple.

Removing natural sugar from the reference is not an option either. Objective information should not hide natural sugar.

The food industry argues that a calorie is a calorie no matter where it comes from. Technically they are right, but not when fighting obesity. Then it’s important to limit empty calories.

There is no solution to the sugar reference problem

*WHO sets a daily limit for added sugar at 50 g. The industry sets a daily limit for total sugar at 90 g (=added + natural sugar).

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