Gel: All Flavors Contain: Sugar

Sugar, most commonly sucrose, is a sweet carbohydrate found naturally in many plants. It is typically extracted and refined from sugarcane or sugar beets. The refining process removes impurities, resulting in the white granulated sugar familiar to consumers.

Manufacturers add sugar primarily as a sweetener to enhance the taste of foods and beverages. It also functions as a preservative in jams and jellies, and contributes to texture, browning, and fermentation in baked goods. It is a key ingredient in candies, desserts, soft drinks, and many processed foods.

Sugar is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA. While it provides energy, excessive intake of added sugars is associated with various health concerns, including an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. 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 keeping intake of free sugars under 10% of total energy intake. Both JECFA and EFSA have evaluated sugars, and JECFA has not set a specific acceptable daily intake (ADI) for sucrose, considering it a food rather than an additive requiring an ADI.