This will help consumers determine how much added sugars a serving of a food contains. The petition also asks the FDA to adopt USDA’s figure of 10 teaspoons (40 grams) as the “Daily Value” for added sugars. The DV is used on food labels to indicate the recommended maximum intakes of fat, sodium and other nutrients.
USDA data show that consumption of added sugars has increased 30% since 1983. Surveys indicate the average American consumes twice the recommended daily amount. These added sugars are linked to rising obesity rates and tend to replace more healthful foods in the diet.
