Chocolate Frosting With Chocolate Chips: Sugar

Sugar is a common carbohydrate that tastes sweet. It is primarily extracted from sugarcane or sugar beets and then refined into the white crystalline form we commonly use.

Manufacturers add sugar mainly as a sweetener to improve taste. It also helps with texture, adds bulk, and can aid in browning baked goods. It is a key ingredient in many foods, including baked goods, candies, beverages, and desserts.

Sugar is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA. The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend no amount of added sugars, and at most 10 grams of added sugars per meal. JECFA has evaluated sugars and did not set a numeric limit (ADI not specified) as they are normal components of the diet. High intake of added sugars is a public health concern due, in part, to its contribution to calorie intake without providing essential nutrients.