Is Cane Sugar Less “Processed” than HFCS?
- The Sugaright Team
- Jul 31
- 2 min read
Since Sugaright Liquid Sugar was introduced to the food industry in 2008, we have touted our products as being optimally processed, removing heavy metals and other impurities, but retaining some color and minerals.
Many of our first customers came to us when consumer demand and corporate mandates compelled the removal of HFCS from their products. They preferred the less processed attributes of our darker colored products and the clean taste of cane sugar. And so the food industry “changed the way it thinks about sugar”.
With the recent spotlight on HFCS as being ultra-processed, a push to remove HFCS from the US diet is gaining fresh momentum.
But first, let’s ask, “What Does Ultra-Processed Mean?
Even the FDA is seeking clarity, putting forward a request for commentary:
In this request, they mentioned the NOVA classification system.
The Nova classification is a framework for grouping edible substances based on the extent and purpose of food processing applied to them. Researchers at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, proposed the system in 2009.
Nova classifies food into four groups:
Unprocessed or minimally processed foods
Processed culinary ingredients
Processed foods
The system has been used worldwide in nutrition and public health research, policy, and guidance as a tool for understanding the health implications of different food products.
Per the NOVA definition, Sugaright liquid sucrose products can be considered to be in category 2, but HFCS falls directly into category 4.
Why?
To make HFCS, two enzymatic processes are required. The first enzyme breaks down the corn starch into glucose molecules. The second enzyme converts about 50% of the 6-carbon glucose molecules into 5-carbon fructose. This mixture does not exist in nature; thus, HFCS is classified as ultra-processed.
The health benefits of cane sugar over HFCS are less clear, but there is little doubt that the overall message will be to eat food as close to its natural state as possible. And folks already know that there is little that is “natural” about HFCS. We recall that at one point, producers attempted to change the name of HFCS to “corn sugar” in an attempt to confuse consumers.
In many ways, MAHA may simply be expanding the “Clean Label” movement to the general public. Less processed, shorter ingredient lists, no artificial colors, and fewer additives. This might even be one government initiative WE ALL CAN AGREE ON!
Is your R&D team prepared for what may be a seismic shift in food labeling laws and school lunch program policies? Are your buyers ready if the demand for cane sugar increases dramatically?
Sugaright and CSC Sugar Trading are always prepared for major shifts in global supply and demand. That is our commitment to you.
Contact us to learn more.
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