July 26, 2018 is the date most food manufacturers will have to itemize “added sugars” on their packaged foods’ Nutrition Facts panels. While FDA’s regulation defines added sugars as those added during the processing of foods or that are packaged as such, numerous questions arise in its implementation. What ingredients and foods are considered an “added sugar?” And, since no analytical method distinguishes between naturally occurring and added sugars in food products, what does the regulation require and what role can analytical chemistry play? This presentation delved into the challenges of implementing the impending regulation and outlines steps and considerations for compliance.
David Ellingson, MSc, Senior Research Chemist and Project Manager, Covance speaking on “Insights into Labeling Added Sugars” at the 2016 Sweetener Systems Conference.