TECHNICAL REPORT ON
DIET AND NUTRITION IS MISLEADING

CLEWISTON, FLORIDA – March 7, 2003 – Local sugar farmers raised strong objections to the misleading public attacks on sugar as a result of the DRAFT Copy of the World Health Organization (WHO) Report on Diet, Nutrition and Prevention of Chronic Disease. The DRAFT report provides recommendations to countries to help reduce the burden of disease related to obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, several forms of cancer, osteoporosis and dental disease.

Essentially the WHO draft report sets a 10% consumption target for sugar, which is not supported by the preponderance of science. Denouncing the misleading attack on sugar, Judy Sanchez, Director of Corporate Communications, says, "Most recent, credible scientific evidence exonerates sugar (sucrose) as a causative factor in obesity, diabetes, heart disease, hyperactivity and dental caries. That scientific evidence has all but been ignored in this report."

The draft report conflicts with a number of other major experts, including the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences and The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, in its most up-to-date research, Current Knowledge of the Health Effects of Sugar Intake.

Sanchez said, "The focused attention on sugar overshadows the report's determination that physical activity is a key factor in maintaining energy balance and weight control. This misleads the public into believing that simply restricting their diet in certain areas will negate the need for regular exercise."

The WHO is not taking ownership of the reportıs contents and calls it a "collection of opinions." The opening disclaimer reads, "This report contains the collective views of an international group of experts and does not necessarily represent the decisions or the stated policy of the World health Organization or of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations."

The president and CEO of The Sugar Association, Richard Keelor, PhD, also an exercise physiologist, supports the recommendations on physical activity and balanced nutrition, but says sensationalizing such draft opinions and labeling them as consumer guidelines is a problem. Compounding the problem, continued Dr. Keelor, "is the confusion of experts, as evidenced in the WHO report, and journalists alike of the terms sugar. Sugar is sucrose, natural and grown from the earth. Sugars is not the plural of sugar but a generic term meaning all other caloric sweeteners, including high fructose corn syrup, found primarily in American soft drinks."

According to Dr. Kristine Clark, Director of Sports Nutrition at Penn State University, "obesity, heart disease, diabetes can be positively altered by increased physical activity. Diets that deny people moderate portions of their favorite foods are not going to succeed. Healthy lifestyles are achieved bypeople eating balanced diets and enjoying daily physical activity. These are the keys to healthy living."

The final report is due to be released in April 2003.

For additional information and resources, contact The Sugar Association in Washington, DC.

The Sugar Association, Inc. is a trade organization representing the nationıs cane growers and refiners and sugar beet growers and manufacturers. We believe that pleasant tasting nutritious foods are important in maintaining a healthful diet and a high quality of life. We seek to create and maintain an understanding that the benefits of sugar contribute to the flavor and quality of wholesome foods. The Association also seeks to increase appreciation of the non-food value of sugar. In pursuit of our mission, the Sugar Association is committed to integrity and sound scientific principles in all its programs. Contact Dr. Richard Keelor at 202-785-1122 or rkeelor@sugar.org.

SUGAR: The Natural Sweetener = 15 CALORIES PER TEASPOON