WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) -Some public health officials say sugar and its harmful effects on our health should be spelled out more clearly for consumers
“We see rising rates of diabetes, of heart disease, of cancer, dementia, all linked to sugar, including things like acne and depression and infertility and skin issues all linked to a higher consumption of sugar,” says Dr. Mark Hyman.
Officials want to put warning labels on food that contain high amounts of sugar. Those warning labels would be similar to the ones you see on packs of cigarettes.
“People have to have a choice. They have to know what they’re eating, and they have to be clear” says Dr. Hyman, ”I think Americans should have the right to choose what’s good or bad for them.”
Sugar addiction especially impacts Americans. On average, Americans consume more than 100 pounds of sugar per person each year. That’s more than three times the recommended amount by the Food and Drug Administration.
Processed food, cereal, salad dressing, and even yogurt is adding to sugar intake.
A local dietitian tells us she firmly believes sugar can be just as or even more addictive than drugs
“There’s a lot of research out there that shows out. There’s a combination out there of sugar, fat, and salt that people cannot resist,” says Sonia Kennedy with Nutrition in Motion.
Kennedy also says 25 to 37 grams is the maximum amount of sugar we should consume daily.
In the state of New York, a new rule would require food chains and coffee shops with 15 or more stores in the U.S., to use a warning icon so consumers know eating too many added sugars can contribute to type 2 diabetes and weight gain.
Some food industry groups say these kinds of labels could demonize certain food products or confuse consumers, and that existing nutrition labels provide enough information for people to make healthy choices.
But Dr. Hyman believes having the warning labels would help make the healthy choices that much clearer.
“I think people make food choices based on what’s labeled. They buy low-fat foods, they buy high fiber foods,” Dr. Hyman said.
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