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Source
Not animal-derived
Allergen
No
Role in food
Manufacturers add sugar mainly to provide a sweet taste to foods and beverages. Beyond …
What it is
Sugar, or sucrose, is a common carbohydrate found naturally in many plants. It is primarily extracted from sugarcane and sugar beets through a process of crushing, purifying, and crystallizing. This results in the familiar white granules used in food products.
Why it's used
Manufacturers add sugar mainly to provide a sweet taste to foods and beverages. Beyond sweetness, it also contributes to the texture of many products, aids in browning during baking, and can act as a preservative in high concentrations. It is commonly found in desserts, baked goods, candies, and sweetened drinks.
Health notes
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers sugar (sucrose) to be Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) for its intended uses. While sugar provides calories, the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend no amount of added sugars, and at most 10 grams of added sugars per meal. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises that intake of free sugars should be less than 10% of total energy intake. Both the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have evaluated sugar; JECFA did not set a numeric limit (ADI not specified) for sucrose, considering it a food substance.
Allergen info
Sugar is not derived from any of the nine major food allergens identified by the FDA. It is also naturally gluten-free.
Note:
This site presents label data from USDA FoodData Central for general information. It is not medical advice.
Check the package label; formulations change.