"Fed Up," in theaters on Friday, is the latest in a series of documentaries to adopt a short-sighted, confrontational and misleading approach to food, diet and nutrition by perpetuating misperceptions and scientifically unsupported assertions while ignoring the progress that has been made over the last decade in providing families with healthier options at home and at school.
The film asserts, in much the same way that saturated fat was once proclaimed the route of all weight gain evil, that sugar is addictive and the cause of rising obesity rates in America.
It is no secret that sugar has always and continues to be essential to the composition of candy products. The sweetness of sugar and the ability of sugars to crystalize are critical to the essence of candy. While sugars are to the main ingredient in many confections, candy is not a leading source of added sugars in the diet, contributing only about 6 percent of added sugars according to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
In case you want to know some research supported candy facts:
Moderation – Candy is a special treat that represents a small percentage of calories in the American diet, making up just about 2.2 percent of the average American adults’ caloric intake or 47 calories per day. In fact, while most people eat candy at least one time per year, most people do not eat candy daily; the average is two to three times per week.
Happiness – There is a good amount of evidence to suggest candy can have a place in an overall lifestyle that supports health, wellness and happiness.
Responsibility – The confectionery industry is dedicated to acting responsibly, adopting front-of-package calorie labeling and setting industry standards on marketing to children. The industry recognizes that schools are a unique environment and supported USDA’s Smart Snacks rules even though most candy products will be eliminated from schools.
For more information, visit our website, or contact me with any questions.
Sincerely,
Susan Smith
Executive Director, Chocolate
Senior Vice President, Communications
Source: National Confectioners Association
