Swedish Fish Mini - Sugar

Sugar is a common term for simple carbohydrates, primarily sucrose. It is naturally found in plants like sugarcane and sugar beets. It is extracted and refined from these plants to create the sugar we use in food.

Manufacturers add sugar primarily as a sweetener to improve taste. It also helps with texture, browning, and acts as a preservative in many foods. Sugar is found in a wide variety of products, including candies, baked goods, beverages, and many processed foods.

In the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers sugar (sucrose) Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS). Excessive intake of added sugars is linked to health concerns like weight gain, and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. 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 that free sugars should make up less than 10% of total energy intake. Both JECFA and EFSA have evaluated sugars.