December 2017

Posted by & filed under Uncategorized.

Protected: December 2017
Calorie Control Council Alerts:

 

US Policy and Regulatory Updates
  • Cook County Sweetened Beverage Tax Expires
  • Seattle Soda Tax Takes Effect and Excludes Diet Soda
  • Business Leaders Criticize Philadelphia Sugar-Sweetened Tax
  • Monroe County Approves 1% Food and Beverage Tax
  • FDA Requests Comments on Proposed Collection of Information for Calorie Labeling in Vending Machines
  • FDA Discontinues Food Advisory Committee
  • USDA Releases Documents from DGA Listening Session
International Policy and Regulatory Updates 
  • High Industry Costs Predicted for Canada’s Proposed FOP Labels
  • Montreal Plans to Phase out Sugary Drinks in City Buildings
  • South Africa to Tax Sugary Drinks
  • EFSA Releases New Intake Tool
Publication Updates
  • Study Suggests Warning Labels Can Help Reduce Soda Consumption and Obesity
  • SHAPE Magazine Advises Consumers on Sweeteners
Council Updates
  • President Trump’s “12 Diet Cokes-a-day” Story Goes Viral
  • CCC Promotes Rogers Research Highlighting LCS Benefits
Other
  • Groups Endorse Sugar Tax in Alberta, Canada
  • Canada’s Balance Calories Initiative Proves to be Successful
  • New Mexico Senator Proposes Soda Tax Study
  • Consumer Trends in 2018

 

US Policy and Regulatory Updates

Cook County Sweetened Beverage Tax Expires
As reported by Food Navigator, the sweetened beverage tax in Cook County, Illinois officially expired on December 1 after being repealed in October. According to the Can the Tax coalition, the county was the largest municipal government in the US to pass a sweetened beverage tax and the first to repeal one. The article notes that other cities, including Tacoma and Spokane, Washington have rescinded plans for a sweetened beverage tax due to similar concerns and opposition prompted by the Cook County tax.

Seattle Soda Tax Takes Effect and Excludes Diet Soda
According to a December 27 article published in USA Today, Seattle will now implement a 1.75 cents-per-fluid ounce tax on the distribution of sodas and other sweetened beverages such as sports drinks and energy drinks. Distributors will be required to pay this tax, but it is predicted that some of the cost will be passed on to consumers. It should be noted, however, the tax exempts diet drinks and sweetened products from certified manufacturers with gross revenue of less than $2 million. Manufacturers with revenue over $2 million but less than $5 million will face a reduced 1-cent-per-fluid ounce tax.

Business Leaders Criticize Philadelphia Sugar-Sweetened Tax
According to a December 4 article published by The Heartland Institute, local business leaders are criticizing Philadelphia’s excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages implemented in January 2017. The 1.5 cents-per-ounce tax on soda, low-calorie soft drinks, and other non-alcoholic drinks containing low-calorie sweeteners, has been paid by business owners. Critics of the tax claim that customers are leaving the city to shop now because they don’t want to pay the tax inside the city, and that it is more difficult for small businesses such as independent grocery stores to stay in business.

Monroe County Approves 1% Food and Beverage Tax
According to Indiana Public Media, those purchasing food or beverages in Monroe County, Indiana will now pay a 1 percent food and beverage tax starting on February 1. The tax was approved by the county council with a 4-3 vote on December 13. Funds from the tax will go towards a long-awaited expansion of the county’s convention center, and money generated from the tax outside of Bloomington city limits will be used for economic and tourism-related investments in Monroe County.

FDA Requests Comments on Proposed Collection of Information for Calorie Labeling in Vending Machines
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), FDA has published a notice in the Federal Register on December 12 announcing an opportunity for public comment on the information collection provisions for calorie labeling of articles of food in vending machines. In the notice, FDA estimates the estimated annual reporting and third party disclosure burdens to comply with the final rule on vending machine labeling and requests comments on various aspects of the information collection. The final rule on calorie labeling of articles of food in vending machines can be found here.

Comments on the proposed collection of information are due to the FDA by February 12. As these types of notices are largely administrative in nature and CCC has not commented on this particular rule in the past, we do not plan to comment on this notice unless otherwise advised by Friday, January 19.

FDA Discontinues Food Advisory Committee
In a Constituent Update, FDA announced that it will be discontinuing the Agency’s Food Advisory Committee as of December 12, 2017, noting that due to the Committee’s lack of meetings since 2015, there is no longer a justified need for it.

The Agency will now instead turn to the FDA Science Board, the Risk Communication Advisory Committee and elsewhere for expert advice. FDA will continue to solicit broad public and expert input through its stakeholder engagement program.

USDA Releases Documents from DGA Listening Session
As noted in last month’s Alert, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) held a closed listening session on November 28 to receive input from industry regarding the process of updating the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). The transcript has now been made public on USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP)’s website here. Comments submitted as part of the listening session can be found here.

International Policy and Regulatory Updates

High Industry Costs Predicted for Canada’s Proposed FOP Labels
According to a Food Chemical News article published December 6 (subscription required), U.S. food companies, especially those in the dairy sector, are worried about the costs involved in complying with Canada’s mandatory front-of-pack (FOP) labels by 2021 in order to sell or export products there. Under the new labeling mandate, food manufacturers will have to FOP symbols to warn consumers if a product contains more than 15% or more daily value in prepackaged foods, and 30% or more for prepackaged meals, for sodium, saturated fat, or total sugars. Though the look of the symbols has yet to be finalized, Health Canada so far has identified four possibilities, which include a combination of octagons or triangles with text and exclamation points to convey the message to consumers. All of these options, industry is concerned, will be seen as over-simplified warning signs by consumers, and detract from the benefits of nutrient-dense foods such as milk. In addition to the proposed FOP label mandate, Canada also finalized a number of nutrition label changes that would all go into effect in 2021, including updating Daily Values, adding and deleting nutrient declarations, making serving sizes consistent, and applying new requirements for how sugar ingredients should be listed on nutrition labels.

The article notes that Canada is not the only country that has implemented or is considering the use of FOP labels and symbols:

  • In 2016, Chile began using octagon-shaped symbols resembling stop signs to highlight packaged foods high in calories, saturated fat, refined sugars, or sodium.
  • The UK currently uses a voluntary “traffic light” system that ranks foods based on total fat, saturated fat, sugars, and sodium.
  • Australia and New Zealand use a five-point graded system to indicate whether a food is more or less healthy.
  • In the US, FDA has expressed interest in adopting FOP labeling, and in 2011 the Institute of Medicine recommended that the Agency “develop, test, and implement a single, standard FOP symbol system to appear on all food and beverage products, in place of other systems already in use.”

Though Canada’s new efforts could inspire FDA officials to go back to the issue of FOP labels, it’s difficult to predict if it will be a priority in light of the current administration’s emphasis on regulatory reform.

Montreal Plans to Phase out Sugary Drinks in City Buildings
According to a December 11 article published by a Canadian news outlet, Montreal’s mayor is backing a plan to phase out sugary drinks in city buildings, such as arenas and pools. Mayor Valerie Plante states, “We would like to offer other things other than drinks that are high in calories and sugar.” However, the article does not explicitly indicate how Montreal plans to handle low and no-calorie versions of those drinks.

The Western Star reports that the motion to ban sports drinks, energy drinks, and flavored water from city buildings passed on December 11 by a 54-5 margin.

South Africa to Tax Sugary Drinks
As reported by Reuters on December 27, South Africa plans to implement a 2.1 cents-per-gram of sugar tax on drinks where sugar content is above 4 grams per 100 milliliters. The tax is set to go into effect in April 2018. The article also notes the universality of taxing sugary drinks in soda, stating that Thailand moved ahead with a similar tax in September, while Mexico previously introduced one in 2014, and the UK is planning to roll out a similar levy.

EFSA Releases New Intake Tool
On December 4, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) announced the release of their exposure assessment tool – the Food Additives Intake Model (FAIM). The tool estimates the mean and high level exposure to food additives for different population groups in several European countries, and is based on data collected from Member States from the EFSA Comprehensive European Food Consumption Database. FAIM can be used prior to submitting data to EFSA in order to judge if usage of the ingredient will raise concerns.

The intake tool is free to use, but requires prior registration to access. To register, email [email protected] and include your name, email address, and affiliation.

Publication Updates

Study Suggests Warning Labels Can Help Reduce Soda Consumption and Obesity
As reported in Newswise, a new study released on December 14 used computerized simulations of grocery shopping in three US cities – Baltimore, San Francisco, and Philadelphia – with models that could be compared to a computer game like “SimCity.” Researchers of the study, conducted by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, found that warning labels in locations that sell sugary drinks reduced both obesity and overweight prevalence in all three cities. In Baltimore, obesity prevalence was reduced by 1.69%, in San Francisco the reduction was 4.08%, and in Philadelphia, obesity was lessened by 0.36%.

The study is instrumental for two reasons. First, the computer modeling researchers used can help design and safely test sustainable interventions and policies before rolling them out in real life, thus saving considerable time, money and effort. Second, results from this study could help policymakers and other decision makers understand the potential effects of implementing sugary-drink warning labels.

SHAPE Magazine Advises Consumers on Sweeteners
In the December issue of SHAPE, the article titled “What You Need to Know About the Latest Alternative Sweeteners” posed the question of whether emerging sweeteners are healthy. The article recommends that consumers choose a sweetener for taste, and look for vitamins elsewhere. According to the author, the trendiest sweeteners this year will be date syrup, sorghum syrup, palmyra jiggery, brown rice syrup, stevia, coconut sugar, monk fruit, and yacon root.

Council Updates

Paid Ad Campaigns
President Trump’s “12 Diet Cokes-a-day” Story Goes Viral
On December 12, CNN released a story and TV segment and The New York Times published an article exposing that President Trump drinks 12 cans of Diet Coke every day. The story broke headlines, and inspired a slew of other media outlets to publish their own iterations, including opinions of dietitians and other health experts. In response, CCC staff took a three-pronged approach and deployed a paid ad campaign to bolster awareness of the benefits of diet soda and address the criticisms of alleged health problems, engaged in targeted media outreach with a statement from CCC, and reached out to other associations to coordinate an industry-wide strategic approach.

CCC Promotes Rogers Research Highlighting LCS Benefits
In response to a recent review by Peter J. Rogers (University of Bristol) that found low-calorie sweeteners can reduce sugar and calorie intake, a promotion was launched by the Council through industry e-newsletter, SmartBrief for Nutritionists, with 17,000 individuals (mostly registered dietitians) opening and viewing the Council’s message.

Groups Endorse Sugar Tax in Alberta, Canada
According to an article published December 7 on a local Canadian news outlet, Alberta, Canada is receiving attention for a proposed sugar tax. The tax is being promoted by the Alberta Policy Coalition for Chronic Disease Prevention, who commissioned a study titled “The Health and Economic Impact of A Tax on Sugary Drinks in Alberta,” which cites studies on the connection between artificially sweetened beverages and type 2 diabetes. The group says that Alberta consumers drink more sweetened drinks than the national average, and thus sees a tax as a policy tool to help curb the issue. According to the coalition’s Dr. Kim Raine, “20 percent seems to be exactly where you’re going to get the biggest impact on decreasing consumption, so 20 percent is what the World Health Organization is recommending as an appropriate level of taxation.” Though there is no timeline stated for the proposed tax, the coalition comments that now is the time, and they don’t want to “let another year go by.”

Canada’s Balance Calories Initiative Proves to be Successful
According to a press release in Business Insider, the Canadian Beverage Association’s Balance Calories Initiative (BCI) has shown an unprecedented 10.2% reduction in calories in its first two years. The BCI’s 2017 Tracking Report was prepared by The Conference Board of Canada, and can be found here. Data in their report corroborates this reduction of almost 30% in calories consumed per capita/per day since 2004.

BCI is a voluntary initiative that was launched in 2015, with the goal of reducing calories consumed from non-alcoholic beverages per capita/per day by 20% by 2025.

New Mexico Senator Proposes Soda Tax Study
As reported on December 27 by a Santa Fe news outlet, Senator Jerry Oritz y Pino (D-Albuquerque) introduced a joint memorial calling on the Legislative Finance Committee to conduct a study on the potential benefits as well as potential negative impacts from a state-wide soda tax. However, Governor Susana Martinez (R) is in opposition to the study, stating “I promised you that I would not raise taxes and I’ve kept my word.” Last year, New Mexico voters voted against the tax, and another future soda tax vote is not predicted.

CCC staff will continue to monitor state and local soda tax matters such as this.

Consumer Trends in 2018
Predictions for this year’s diet and nutrition trends is a common topic amongst media this time of year. According to Supermarket News, consumers will continue to prioritize clean eating, plant-based diets through 2018. However, according to Today’s Dietitian’s “What’s Trending in Nutrition” survey, which polled 2,050 registered dietitians, the ketogenic diet, which emphasizes low-carbs, high fat, and high protein, will increase in popularity, and surpass the paleo diet. Dietitians’ top recommendations for 2018 will be to limit processed foods, increase fiber intake, keep a food journal, and choose non-caloric beverages.

The role of low-calorie sweeteners in the prevention and management of overweight and obesity

Posted by & filed under Health Professionals, Obesity, PAHO, Research Summaries.

December 13, 2017 — A recent review published in Proceedings of the Nutrition Society examined the results of intervention studies to determine if claims undermining the theory that low-calorie sweeteners affect calorie intake, and thus body weight, are substantiated scientifically. [Peter J. Rogers, University of Bristol] Rogers provides a brief review of sweet taste and three hypotheses that have resulted in claims that LCS may not be beneficial in weight gain. While preference for sweet taste is inborn, the function for human liking of sweet taste is less clear. Some hypothesize a newborn’s preference for sweet taste ensures adequate intake while it is unclear why preference for nutrients with higher caloric density is not primary. Efforts to better understand sweet taste have used various sweet compounds while other studies have explored the relationship between sweet taste and food intake based on these three hypotheses:

  • LCS disrupt the learned control of energy intake (sweet taste confusion hypothesis);
  • Exposure to sweetness increases desire for sweetness (sweet tooth hypothesis);
  • Consumers might consciously overcompensate for ‘calories saved’ when they know they are consuming LCS (conscious overcompensation hypothesis)

Rogers reviews evidence from human, animal, and meta-analysis studies and states “Recent meta-analyses of acute and longer-term randomized controlled studies in human participants found clear evidence that consumption of LCS compared with sugar does indeed reduce energy intake and body weight.” Laboratory studies have shown that adults and children do consume more calories in a test-meal after having LCS than when they have a sugar preload. However, the total intake of the pre-load and meal is less when people consume LCS than sugar. Because laboratory studies may not have similar results as “real-life” scenarios, long-term studies have also been conducted and have shown effect sizes of LCS v. sugar to be −1·41 (95% CI −2·62, −0·20) kg for adults and −1·02 (95% CI −1·52, −0·52) kg for children. Prospective studies also show no overall association between LCS consumption and body weight though it should be noted that reverse causality may be evident in some studies with an effect. Lastly, rodent studies have shown LCS reduced weight or had no effect in mice and rats.

In reviewing animal studies that were conducted to test whether low-calorie sweeteners disrupt the learned control of energy intake, Rogers notes that findings from initial studies have not been replicated and that results contradict the flavor-confusion hypothesis. Furthermore, he notes a problem with the reasoning that sweetness could be a useful guide for the control of energy intake because level of sweetness does not reliably predict the energy content of different foods and beverages in the human diet.

Lastly Rogers evaluated the evidence that individuals may overcompensate and consume more calories than those “saved” by consuming a product with LCS compared with a sugar-sweetened product. He notes that short-term laboratory studies were conducted to reduce the risk that individuals knew the difference between LCS- and sugar- sweetened products. This differs from real world scenarios in which consumers will likely be aware of consuming a relatively low-energy product. The author states “In summary, there is little evidence for conscious compensation for LCS consumption. Studies however have not modelled all everyday life uses of LCS. For example, while there might be little or no conscious compensation when LCS are substituted for sugar as part of ‘calorie counted’ weight loss diet, full or even overcompensation may occur when the choice of LCS is used as an excuse for indulgence. Finally, conscious compensation can be ruled out as influencing overall energy intake if consumers are unaware they are consuming LCS.

Rogers reached the following conclusions regarding each of the claims considered:

  • LCS and energy intake: “sweetness is not a reliable predictor of energy density”, therefore absolving LCS from the charge that they disrupt the control of energy intake.
  • LCS and desire for sweetness: studies indicate that consumption of LCS beverages does not increase energy intake compared with water, and may have the advantage to some extent of satisfying desire for sweetness when consumed shortly before or with a meal.
  • LCS and overcompensation: “There is little evidence for conscious compensation for LCS consumption.” When using preload test-meals, there is partial compensation in energy intake for the difference in energy content of LCS versus sugar.

The overall conclusion is that the current body of evidence suggests LCS can be expected to reduce sugar and overall caloric intake and at a minimum, any counterproductive effects of LCS are outweighed by incomplete compensation for the reduced energy content of LCS foods and beverages.

Recent claims unfounded linking diet soda to health problems

Posted by & filed under Aspartame, Diabetes/Blood Sugar Management, Media Room, Myths.

By: Keri Peterson, MD —

December 12, 2017 — Numerous studies have proven and authorities have confirmed that low-calorie sweeteners are safe and do not contribute to health ailments.  While media reports have suggested possible links between diet soda consumption and stroke, dementia, weight gain and tooth decay, such claims are false.

No impact on sweet taste. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, low-calorie sweeteners like aspartame have no impact on satiety and do not increase desire for sweets. Read more here.

Proven safe. Numerous studies have proven that low-calorie sweeteners used in diet sodas are some of the safest and most thoroughly studied ingredients in the food supply. The safety of low-calorie sweeteners has been reaffirmed time and time again by leading regulatory and governmental agencies around the world including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Read more about this study here.

No negative impact on type 2 diabetes or stroke. A study by the Journal of Nutrition found that diet soda drinkers are not more prone to type 2 diabetes. The American Heart Association states, “Also, when used to replace food and drinks with added sugars, it can help people with diabetes manage blood glucose levels.” Read more here in the Council’s review of recent research.

Helpful in weight loss. Organizations including the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics support the benefit of reduced-calorie products. Low- and no-calorie foods and beverages are a proven tool in helping manage weight. Several studies have shown that changes in behavior and diet, including regular intake of diet sodas, result in successful weight loss and maintenance of that loss. Read more about this study here.

Does not contribute to tooth decay. Lastly, according to the American Dental Association, sugar substitutes such as aspartame do not contribute to tooth decay like sugars. Sugar substitutes are not readily converted to acids by bacteria in the mouth, which is what causes tooth decay. Read more about this study here.

Keri Peterson MDKeri Peterson, MD is a medical contributor and columnist for Women’s Health and a frequent guest on NBC’s Today, ABC’s Good Morning America, Fox News and CNN. Based in New York City, Dr. Peterson has been in private practice since 1999 and holds appointments at Lenox Hill Hospital and Mount Sinai Medical Center.   With a BA from Cornell University and a Medical Degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine, she completed post-graduate training in Internal Medicine at New York’s Mount Sinai Medical Center and is board certified in Internal Medicine. Dr. Peterson is a member of the American College of Physicians and the American Medical Association, and serves as a medical advisor for the Calorie Control Council.

Enjoying the Holidays with Less Sugar

Posted by & filed under Allulose, Low- and No-Calorie Sweeteners.

By Rosanne Rust MS, RDN, LDN  —

A bit of sugar in the diet is fine, but for those with diabetes, high triglycerides, or those who are working on weight maintenance – there are lots of ways to cut back on sugar and still enjoy your favorite treats.

In addition to reducing sugar itself, you can also substitute low-calorie sweeteners to replace sugar in your diet. In the nutrition world, we call calorie-free or low-calorie sweeteners “non-nutritive sweeteners,” or NNS for short. One of the newer sweeteners on the block is allulose. Allulose is a low-calorie sweetener that exists in nature and in certain fruits (including figs, raisins, maple syrup). Since allulose is less sweet than table sugar, it’s often used in combination with other sweeteners, substituting for part of the sugar content. You may be seeing more products with allulose on your grocery shelves soon, including reduced calorie baked goods, salad dressings, juices, jams, syrups, puddings and coffee mixes.

If you’re concerned about how NNS may impact your weight, you can rest easy. A meta-analysis of 15 randomized clinical trials and 9 cohort studies that evaluated research about the relationship of NNS and body weight showed no association between the consumption of NNS and increased weight or fat mass. In fact, results of the analysis indicated that substituting NNS for sugar may actually induce a modest amount of weight loss. Of course using NNS also helps control carbohydrate intake, which is important for blood sugar management in diabetes. All these health benefits are especially good news as we face the time of year known for social gatherings with indulgent foods.

During the holidays, I give you permission to treat yourself, but I don’t want you to go overboard. Try using some of my simple tips to reducing the sugar in your favorite holiday meals.

6 Simple Ways to Reduce Sugar during the Holidays

  1. Enjoy a low-sugar breakfast. A nice warm bowl of oatmeal or a scrambled egg with a slice of whole grain toast is a good pregame on feast days. You don’t want to skip breakfast, but you’ll have no problem enjoying dessert later if you balance out your morning.
  2. Bake from scratch. This allows you to control ingredients, and reduce the recommended amount of sugar in recipes. This will not work for some baked goods, but will work for others. You can easily reduce the sugar in your pumpkin or fruit pies by simply using less. If your apple-cranberry cobbler calls for 1/2 cup of sugar, use 1/3 of a cup. Or you can substitute a NNS for the sugar if you prefer to maintain the same level of sweetness.
  3. Enjoy your vegetables. Plan lots of great vegetable-based side dishes for your holiday meal. Remember, veggies don’t have to be steamed and bland! Add olive oil, a touch of butter, spices, or chopped nuts to your veggie dishes. Roast vegetables for easy clean up and robust flavors. Adding more vegetable-based sides to your table will not only provide you with lots of vitamins and antioxidants, but will fill you up so you won’t overindulge in desserts. It’s all about balance.
  4. Put together a coffee bar after dinner with dessert or the following morning for overnight guests. Swap the sugar bowl for sugar free syrups, sweeteners, and real whipped cream.
  5. Make your own whipped cream. Not only does this make desserts extra special, but you can reduce the sugar in homemade whipped cream compared to store bought versions. It’s so easy: chill a medium-sized mixing bowl in the freezer for about an hour (not required, but will help the cream whip more quickly). Pour a pint of whipping cream into the bowl, add one packet of low calorie sweetener, a teaspoon of vanilla extract (if you’d like), and whip using an electric mixer. Cream will gradually thicken. Continue beating until cream thickens and forms peaks.
  6. Create a low-sugar signature cocktail or “mocktail.” Offering a signature beverage when you entertain is festive, but sometimes “fancy drinks” can really be filled to the brim with sugar (and therefore higher in calories). Use sugar-free beverages such as diet ginger beer, club soda, sugar-free lemonade, or diet cranberry juice as your mixers to reduce the total sugar and calories of the cocktail.

 

Rosanne Rust MS, RDN, LDN is a registered, licensed dietitian-nutritionist with over 25 years experience. Rosanne is a paid contributor to Allulose.org. As a Nutrition Communications Consultant  she delivers clear messages helping you understand the science of nutrition so you can enjoy eating for better health. Rosanne is the co-author of several books, including DASH Diet For Dummies® and the The Glycemic Index Cookbook For Dummies®. A wife, and mother of 3 boys, she practices what she preaches, enjoying regular exercise, good food and festive entertaining. Follow her on Twitter @RustNutrition.

The post Enjoying the Holidays with Less Sugar appeared first on Allulose.

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