International Bakery - Logo

Courtney Gaine, Ph.D., R.D., President and CEO for the Sugar Association in Washington, D.C., discusses consumer education, health trends and the evolving role of sugar in baking.

…“Advocating for evidence-based policies about sugar and educating key audiences has never been more important, and it has never required more commitment and investment of time and resources. There are a lot of tightly held beliefs that have brought us to where we are today, and inserting facts into the dialogue that challenge those beliefs is difficult”.

…“The US government has a very full policy agenda that unfortunately seems to continue the same outdated approach of singling out added sugars without addressing consumers’ overall calorie intake and diet quality. The Sugar Association provides comments and participates in public consultations, providing evidence that supports focusing nutrition policy on the top sources of added sugars (e.g. sugar-sweetened beverages) that do not provide positive nutrients or contribute to improving diet quality.”

“Other sources of added sugars (e.g., whole grain breads and cereals, sugar-sweetened yoghurt) are associated with improved intake of positive nutrients and overall higher diet quality. Understanding different sources of added sugars and their contributions to diets is also a key element of our resources for health professionals, educators, and consumers themselves. The Sugar Association provides a wide range of lesson plans for educators – from lessons on photosynthesis in sugar beets and sugar cane to facts about sugar intake – with options tailored to different grades and skill levels.””

Read the full article here: https://in-bakery.com/big-interview-courtney-gaine/

In the News

AG week

New school lunch sugar rules are a ‘mixed bag’ to the sugar industry

October 16, 2024

“New school lunch guidelines from USDA are aimed at reducing added sugars in students’ diets. For the sugar industry, the guidelines are a ‘mixed bag,” Courtney Gaine, of the Sugar Association, says. …Courtney Gaine, a registered dietician who is president of the Sugar Association — which describes itself as the scientific voice of the U.S. […]

Food Engineering - Logo

Ruiz Foods Eyes Product Innovation and the Contentious Front-of-Pack Ingredient Discussion

September 19, 2024

“The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is adding tension to the front-of-pack ingredient trends. The FDA announced that it will require food and beverage manufacturers to disclose “added sugars” on the front of packaging. The new rules for added sugars are due in October, according to the FDA, in an attempt to educate consumers about […]

Food Business news

Front-of-pack labeling for added sugars coming soon

August 7, 2024

“Mandatory front-of-pack (FOP) labeling rules for added sugars, expected from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October (originally expected in June), are just the beginning of government efforts to reduce sugar consumption and prompt product reformulation away from sugar, Courtney Gaine, PhD, president and chief executive officer, The Sugar Association, told attendees at the […]

More Articles

Stay in Touch

Sign Up