Change in Sugar Intake Recommendations Rankles Industry

March 14, 2000

Recommendations in the proposed Dietary Guidelines that American limit the intake of sugar have brought strong objections from the sugar and grocery industries. There is "no basis in law or fact" for the recommendations, says the Grocery Manufacturers of America.

Lisa Katic, GMA director of scientific and nutrition policy, strongly objected to a recommendation that people "choose beverages and foods that limit your intake of sugars." She testified at a public meeting sponsored by the Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services.

Sugar beet and sugar cane farmers attached what they said was the lack of scientific evidence supporting the proposed change. Farmers argued that implementing the changes could reduce sugar demand and affect thousands of family farms and a portion of the 420,000 sugar industry jobs.

"I am very concerned about the direction of the committee's recommended changes, because they do not rely on sound science and medical evidence ... I want you to recognize how far-reaching the policies you design can be. the law of unintended consequences has a long arm, particularly where agriculture is concerned."

Ray VanDriessche, president of the American Sugarbeet Growers Association, noted that the advisory committee's official report noted, "There is little evidence that diets high in total sugars are associated with obesity. Hence, there is no direct link between the trend toward higher intake of sugars and increased rates of obesity."

If scientists say nothing has changed since the last guidelines were issued in 1995, said VanDriessche, "why is the advisory committee recommending a change?"

Katic reminded USDA and HHS officials that as they review the "radical, unfounded" language on sugar consumption, federal law requires the dietary guidelines to be based on current scientific and medical knowledge.