Natural Brown Sugar

Natural brown sugar is a type of sugar that gets its color and flavor from molasses. It is made from sugar cane or sugar beets, and unlike refined white sugar, it retains some of the natural molasses during processing. This gives it a moist texture and a distinct caramel-like taste.

Manufacturers add natural brown sugar primarily as a sweetener to improve the taste of foods. It also contributes to moisture, tenderness, and browning in baked goods. It is commonly found in baked goods, sauces, marinades, and seasoning mixes.

Natural brown sugar is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA as a basic food ingredient. Like all sugars, it provides calories and carbohydrates. 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 not set an acceptable daily intake for brown sugar as it is a fundamental food ingredient rather than an additive.