The FDA has mistakenly identified sugar as the cause for U.S. obesity rates and a variety of related diseases. In July 2018, FDA plans to require inclusion of “added” sugars in the Nutrition Facts along with the percentage Daily Value (DV) per serving so consumers can judge if they have exceeded 50 grams, which FDA says is the limit per day. FDA’s new DV for added sugars is based largely on a U.S. Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) report heavily influenced by political appointees, was rushed and did not include a scientific review by the National Academy of Medicine (NAM). This short cut by FDA lowered the scientific standard for adding new nutrients and updating DVs on the Nutrition Facts label used in the past. Also, FDA’s own consumer research shows that the agency’s added sugars labeling regulation misleads up to 24% of consumers and causes them to choose less, not more, healthful foods.<br/>FDA should stay the July 2018 requirement and charge NAM with conducting a study identify scientifically-supported intakes, similar to what has been done for every nutrient on the Nutrition Facts label. Delaying the compliance deadline would also permit FDA and the USDA to coordinate the nutrition labeling with USDA’s deadline for labeling genetically engineered foods. Conclusion: Changing food labels is expensive, costing the industry and consumers well over one<i> billion</i> dollars each time it is required so using solid, unbiased science instead of a “herd mentality” would .be in the best interests of FDA and US Consumers.

FDA's added sugars labeling regulation – the not so sweet treat

254th National Meeting (2017)

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