Seasoning Ingredients: Sugar

Sugar, also known as sucrose, is a sweet-tasting carbohydrate. It is primarily obtained from sugar cane or sugar beets, which are processed to extract and refine the crystalline sugar.

Sugar is widely used as a sweetener to enhance the taste of foods and beverages. It also functions as a preservative in jams and jellies, contributes to texture and browning in baked goods, and provides bulk in many processed foods. It is found in a vast array of products, from desserts and candies to sauces and savory dishes.

Sugar is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA. The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend no specific amount of added sugars, suggesting at most 10 grams per meal. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises limiting free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake. JECFA and EFSA have evaluated sugar. Excessive intake of added sugars is associated with an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, though sugar itself does not directly cause these conditions.