White Icing Ingredients: Powdered Sugar

Powdered sugar, also known as confectioners' sugar or icing sugar, is a finely ground form of granulated sugar. It is typically made by milling regular white sugar into a very fine powder. A small amount of an anti-caking agent, such as corn starch, is often added to prevent clumping.

Manufacturers add powdered sugar primarily as a sweetener and to achieve a smooth texture in frostings, icings, and glazes. It is also commonly used for dusting baked goods like donuts and pastries, and in candies and desserts.

Powdered 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, as part of a healthy eating pattern. High intake of added sugars, including powdered sugar, is associated with increased risk of chronic diseases. JECFA has not set an acceptable daily intake for sugar itself, as it is a basic food ingredient.