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Sugar E-News The Sugar Association Inc. Vol. 6 #31 August 11, 2003 Sugar: All Natural … 15 Calories Per Teaspoon!

HFCS Comes Under Renewed The External Scientific Advisory Attack … Council’s review of the science is Tobacco Lawsuit Attorney Banzhaf critical to the sugar industry’s position on HFCS. Probes Connection to Obesity Action Requested: Members please print The linking of HFCS and obesity is once again and share this Forbes article with your the subject of a high-powered media article. sales team and staff. Recommend that “Souring on Sweeteners,” which appears in your employees approach their local the August 6 issue of Forbes, indicts HFCS as grocery store managers and request the source of the nation’s obesity crisis. giving consumers a choice by stocking George Washington University law school sugar-based soft drinks and products, professor John Banzhaf, well known for too. successful lawsuits against the tobacco The American Sugar Alliance 20th industry, cites the change in the types of sugars consumed as a significant factor in the International Sweetener obesity epidemic. [Banzhaf gets the Symposium Highlights terminology right and distinguishes sugar Consumption as a Key Challenge (sucrose) from HFCS and other sugars]. for the Sugar Industry The article includes the Corn Refiners Three key presenters at the symposium - US Association comment that media attention to Congressman Charles Stenholm; John M. HFCS is a “smear campaign.” The article Love, Senior Commodity Analyst with USDA; further highlights the fact that Archer Daniels and Jim Wiesemeyer, Sparks Companies, Inc., Midland’s (ADM) corn processing group is the pointed to obesity and changes in dietary most profitable of its four primary business preferences as having the potential for a units, with an operating margin of 11.6% on negative impact on sugar consumption. Mr. net sales of $2.1 billion. Wiesemeyer said to understand the current environment and the potential impact to the For the full article, access industry from the so called “food police”, he http://www.forbes.com/2003/08/06/cz_sl_0806obe sity.html recommended the audience read just one book - Food Politics by Marion Nestle. Key Points: Positive outcome of the “and/or” labeling resolution will eliminate The conference format did not deal directly HFCS’s ability to masquerade as sugar with the issues surrounding obesity and its in beverages and foods. potential impact on sugar consumption, but several questions from the audience If Banzhaf is successful in going after highlighted the industry’s understanding that manufacturers using HFCS, it is likely this is an issue that will definitely need to be he will turn to those using sugar unless aggressively addressed. the distinction between sugar and Although the nutrition and policy environment HFCS is scientifically documented. is challenging, the science concerning sugar remains positive and strong. SAI is actively 1101 15th Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005 202-785-1122 www.sugar.org engaged, utilizing strong science to combat sugar-free” and “just like sugar, but better.” allegations that threaten to erode consumer’s Whether these substitutes are proclaimed to positive perception of sugar and sugar “provide more balanced sweetness,” to consumption. “improve ingredient performance” or to “boost nature’s best,” these implied claims WHO Director General Declines SAI create the impression that reducing or Invite, Leaves Door Open for eliminating sugar results in a healthier food. Industry Meeting Including SAI As misleading as the printed slogans were, the often heard verbal assaults by exhibitors SAI received a letter dated July 28 from the included the customary allegations – obesity office of WHO Director-General Dr. Lee thanking and increased triglycerides – and chillingly the SAI for the invitation to speak at the September new activist darling – addiction. The 15 Board meeting. SAI was told that Dr. Lee is unabashed attack on sugar was clearly unable to accept due to his commitment to obvious throughout the 2003 IFT exposition. attend the meetings of WHO’s Regional Key Point: The hostility of the global food Committees. The Director-General is required industry strengthens the bias of the to attend these meetings. WHO Report and media stories that The letter went on to say, “The Director- distort the science. This toxic General has indicated that he would like to environment substantiates the address a meeting of the food industry in the decision to assemble an expert near future, and it is hoped that The Sugar External Scientific Advisory Council Association can be included in this gathering. to support and approve the science- We will keep you informed of plans for such a based messages required for pro- meeting, and thank you for your interest in the active SAI programs. work of the Organization.” Media Complicity Challenged by Just Like Sugar … But Better? Science The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Recent news stories claiming that annual meeting and exposition concluded on “researchers had uncovered evidence that July 16. Two seemingly dissimilar “Hot Topic” fast food can be as addictive as hard drugs” sessions – “Food Trends: The Top 5 for 05” have been challenged. The stories were and “Food Fight: The Food Industry Under quickly picked up and redistributed by public Attack” – simply energized the underlying interest lawyers, who said the studies will marketing theme of each 2003 exhibitor – strengthen efforts to file obesity-related “only my food or ingredient delivers health lawsuits against fast-food companies. There’s and well-being.” This marketing strategy, just one problem: researchers who conducted designed to bolster consumer perception that two of the cited studies have stated publicly food is more than taste and enjoyment, that the media got it wrong. accents the fact that ingredient suppliers are piloting today’s U.S. food industry ship. The Director of Communications at Rockefeller University (RU) issued an official statement Denigration marketing was particularly disavowing the media distortion of science. The noteworthy among the companies supplying allegation that “regular consumption of high- the array of formulated sweeteners invented fat, high sugar foods could reconfigure the to replace sugar. Blends of caloric and non- body’s hormonal system to want yet more fat” caloric sweeteners for regular and diet foods was denounced as an exaggeration of the were promoted under the “multi-sweetener research being done by a RU scientist. The RU concept.” Two of the calorie-containing statement said that research being done by Dr. formulated sweeteners were publicized with Sara Leibowitz looking at the effects of dietary the slogans, “sugar-born … sugar-like … fat on the brain “has nothing to do with 1101 15th Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005 202-785-1122 www.sugar.org addiction. Her research does not show that dietary fat is addictive.” Additionally, a University of Wisconsin scientist, whose studies also have been misquoted by the press – and cited by Banzhaf, said that his study “didn’t even focus on whether or not fatty foods are addictive.” Key Point: Although sugar was only a minor part of the original UK news story, sugar has become the major focus of the majority of US media reports. These official disavowals are useful when SAI calls for integrity in media reporting. Thank goodness nutrition policy is not based on media reports!

Industry News … Bob Martinelly Steps Down as SAI’s Public Relations Advisory Committee Chair Robert Martinelly, Vice President of the Industrial Sales Division of Domino Sugar, has resigned as Chair and member of the Public Relations Advisory Committee after more than a decade of distinguished service. Martinelly’s schedule will not permit his continuing in the role and the Association is grateful that he dedicated so many years to serving the Association and the industry in this important capacity. He brought not only his thorough knowledge of public relations and marketing to program development and implementation; but also a strong commitment to and understanding of the sugar industry. Many thanks Bob for a job well done!

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