Should there still be a Guideline on Sugar?

In June the Dietary Guidelines for Australians were released by the National Health and Medical Research Council.

Included as the final guideline of twelve was one on sugar: Take care to... 'consume only moderate amounts of sugars and foods containing added sugars'.

Given our current obesity crisis it may appear quite understandable on the surface to continue to caution about consumption of sugar. But the sugar industry says that the scientific evidence against the need for a continued guideline on sugar is compelling. And it says the background papers to the Guideline appear to acknowledge that many of the long-standing concerns about sugar have no scientific basis.

The industry believes that by retaining the sugar guideline all Australians are being unnecessarily worried and warned about their intake of sugar because of the problems of just two groups in the community that over- consume sugar.

If you are writing about the Guidelines, and want to research the sugar position more thoroughly, you will find fuller background information on the Sugar web site.To access the special Dietary Guidelines section direct go to:
http://www.sugar.org.au/driver.asp?page=main/the+media/current+issues/dietary+guidelines

For access to the Dietary Guidelines web resource and other Sugar Forum information go to: www.sugar.org au.

Issued by: AFGC Sugar Forum www.afgc.org.au