Praline Pecans: Sugar

Sugar is a common name for sucrose, a carbohydrate found naturally in many plants. It is primarily extracted from sugar cane or sugar beets through a process of crushing, juicing, and refining.

Sugar is widely used as a sweetener in foods and beverages. It also contributes to texture, bulk, and browning in baked goods, and can act as a preservative in products like jams. It is a key ingredient in desserts, candies, soft drinks, and many processed foods.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers sugar (sucrose) to be Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS). Sugar provides calories, and excessive 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 of added sugars per meal. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises limiting free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake. JECFA (the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives) has evaluated sugar and considers it a food ingredient, thus not setting a numeric acceptable daily intake (ADI).