White Icing Mortar: Sugar

Sugar is a sweet carbohydrate that comes from sugar cane and sugar beets. It is refined from the plant's juice through a process of crushing, heating, and filtering. The resulting crystals are the sugar commonly used in cooking and baking.

Sugar is primarily used as a sweetener in a wide variety of foods, including baked goods, beverages, and confectionery. It also contributes to texture, browning, and acts as a preservative in some products.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lists sugar as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS). Major health organizations recommend limiting added sugars in the diet due to associations with health issues like weight gain and dental cavities. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have evaluated sugar. Evidence suggests high intake of added sugars can contribute to negative health outcomes.