Sugar coated - goodnews - sugar industries object to report from World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization - Brief Article

Better Nutrition, Sept, 2003

A United Nations (UN) study suggested on April 23 that a diet low in saturated fat, salt and sugars but high in vegetables and fruit will help prevent disease. But the report. "Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases," has since prompted an all-out counter-attack by sugar-related industries.

The report documented scientific evidence on the relationship between diet and cardiovascular diseases, several forms of cancer, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis and dental disease. Co-produced by the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization, the report recommended-among other things--that:

* total fat intake be restricted to between 15 and 30 percent of calorie intake

* saturated fats be less than 10 percent of overall calories

* protein calories should average 10-15 percent of total calories

* added sugar should be restricted to 10 percent of calories

The US Soft Drink Association immediately criticized the report. That was followed by an attempt by the US-based Sugar Association (SA) to get the report withdrawn. Six major food industry groups have joined the effort, including the US Council for International Business, which has 30 corporate members--including Coca-Cola and PepsiCo.

For its part, the SA objects to the lack of what it calls "a broad external peer-review process."