Peppermint Balls: Sugar

Sugar, also known as sucrose, is a common carbohydrate found naturally in many plants. It is primarily made from sugarcane or sugar beets through a process of extraction, purification, and crystallization. It is a disaccharide, meaning it is composed of two simpler sugar units: glucose and fructose.

Manufacturers add sugar primarily as a sweetener to enhance the taste of foods and beverages. It also contributes to texture, aids in browning in baked goods, and can act as a preservative in high concentrations, such as in jams. It is commonly found in candy, cookies, soft drinks, and many processed foods.

In the United States, sugar is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). JECFA (the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives) has evaluated sugars, and EFSA (the European Food Safety Authority) has also provided scientific opinions on their intake. While sugar provides energy, high intake of added sugars is a public health concern. The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend no amount of added sugars, and at most 10 grams per meal. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises that free sugars should account for less than 10% of total energy intake.