Sprinkle Mix: Sugar

Sugar, primarily sucrose, is a common carbohydrate found naturally in many plants. It is most often extracted from sugarcane or sugar beets, then processed and refined into the white crystalline form used in food products.

Sugar is widely used as a sweetener to improve the taste of foods and beverages. It also functions as a preservative in products like jams, contributes to the texture of baked goods, and aids in browning. It is a key ingredient in desserts, candies, sweetened drinks, and many other processed foods.

Sugar is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While it provides energy, consuming excessive amounts of added sugars can contribute to health concerns such as weight gain and dental cavities. 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.