Sweetened Dairy Packet Ingredients: Sugar

Sugar, chemically known as sucrose, is a common carbohydrate found naturally in many plants. It is primarily extracted and refined from sugarcane or sugar beets through a process that involves crushing, juicing, purification, evaporation, and crystallization.

Sugar is widely used as a sweetener to enhance the taste of foods and beverages. Beyond its sweetening properties, it also functions as a preservative in jams and jellies, adds bulk and texture to baked goods, and contributes to browning and caramelization.

Sugar is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA. 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 advises that free sugars should account for less than 10% of total energy intake. JECFA has evaluated sugar and, as a macronutrient, did not set a numeric acceptable daily intake.