Vanilla Frosting With Rainbow Chips: Sugar

Sugar is a common term for sweet-tasting carbohydrates, most often referring to sucrose. It is primarily obtained from sugar cane or sugar beets, where it is extracted and refined from the plant's juice.

Sugar is widely used as a primary sweetener in a vast array of foods and beverages. Beyond its sweetening properties, it also functions as a preservative, adds texture, and aids in browning in products like baked goods, candies, and processed foods.

The FDA considers sugar (sucrose) to be Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS). It provides calories and energy to the body. 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 account for less than 10% of total energy intake. JECFA has evaluated sucrose and did not set a numeric limit (ADI not specified) as it is a caloric nutrient; however, excessive intake of added sugars is associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases.