Summary: Two-thirds of packaged foods, drinks in Canada have added sugars
The article is about a study conducted on 40,829 packaged foods and beverages that are being sold at national supermarket chains of a popular Canadian grocery store. The researchers did not include fresh produce such as vegetable, fruits, meats, and other raw ingredients like water, coffee, tea, oils, and fats. Other non food items such as nutrition and protein supplements were also not included in the study. The researcher found out that 66 percent of the 40,829 foods and beverages have added sugars in it even those that claimed to be healthier foods like cereals, yoghurt, and snack bars.
Added sugars refer to the sugars that are extra added to the food aside from the natural sugar that is already present in it. Consumers do not want added sugars because they can be consumed in large amounts compared to natural sugars that can be found in fruits and milk. Added sugars are expected in foods that have little or no sugar at all. However, researchers of this study found out that there are many foods that claim to be healthy but have added sugars in it such as granola bars. The problem with having too much sugar in food is that in cause a lot of health problems. However, the study does not confirm the amount of added sugars they found in such foods. Many health organizations have already limited the maximum amount of sugars to be added from five to ten percent. According to Dr. Hammond from the University of Waterloo’s School of Public Health and Health Systems, the products that were found to have added sugars were unexpectedly high (Acton 1). As of the moment, food labels are not enough as basis of consumers to know if there are too much added sugars.
Works Cited:
Acton, Rachel, L. Vanderlee, E. Hobin, D Hammond. 2017. Added sugar in the packaged foods and beverages available at a major Canadian retailer in 2015: a descriptive analysis. CMAJ Open.
