Health

The 61 different names for sugar that are deceiving you into buying “healthy” food

Sep 15, 2015

As more and more develops about the risks of sugar, many of us have attempted to limit our sugar intake. But what has been discovered is shocking: despite our best efforts, we could be duped into believing the products we buy are sugar-free.

Sugar comes in so many forms and goes by so many names, so we’ve decided to find the list for you so you are aware.

With this knowledge you’ll be able to recognise sugar on food labels and avoid having your health and weight loss efforts ruined.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) found that added sugars may increase the risk of osteoporosis, certain cancers, high blood pressure and other health problems.

If you want to know what added sugars are in your food, CHOICE, the consumers affairs group have opened up a petition to ministers to make it much easier to identify what’s in our foods.

There are more than 61 names for added sugars.

CHOICE said, “This could all change. State, Territory and Federal ministers will soon consider whether labels will have to say exactly what’s in our food: exactly what sugars, oils and fats have been added”.

They implored consumers to take a moment to tell ministers about the lack of sugar identification and that we need new labels via this letter:

Dear Minister,

I am writing to you because I want to know the ingredients in the food I eat.

Food companies make it hard for us to identify added sugars in their products. As it stands, the nutrition information panel doesn’t differentiate between added sugar content and sugars that naturally occur in the product. So the only way for you to find out is by identifying the 43 different names for sugar in the ingredients list.

You will soon consider Recommendation 12 from the 2011 Review of Food Labelling Law and Policy which says that added sugars, fats and vegetable oils should be clearly identified. Added sugars should be clearly identified on the ingredient list as well as the nutritional information panel. This would allow me to consumer in line with the Australian Dietary Guidelines and World Health Organisation which recommend we limit our consumption of added sugars.

I urge you to give consumers the information they need to make informed choices.

As my minister responsible for food I ask you to please support the labelling of added sugars, fats and vegetable oils when Recommendation 12 comes to discussion.

Here are 61 alternative names for sugar, are you shocked? Will you appeal to ministers?