US Plans to Advise Americans to Reduce Intake of Added Sugars in Upcoming Dietary Recommendations

US Government to Recommend Stricter Sugar Intake Limits

The latest federal Dietary Guidelines, set to be released soon, are anticipated to recommend that Americans significantly reduce their intake of added sugars. According to sources familiar with the matter, the guidelines will suggest limiting added sugars to no more than 10 grams per meal.

These new recommendations, which place particular emphasis on children, will advise the public to avoid sugars that are not naturally present in foods such as fruits and dairy. The guidelines will also encourage Americans to steer clear of highly processed foods, which are a staple in the US food industry.

Key Takeaways from Bloomberg

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been a vocal critic of sugar, referring to it as “poison,” and has blamed ultra-processed foods for the rise in chronic illnesses across the country. The Dietary Guidelines, which are updated every five years by the Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture, largely reflect this perspective.

The upcoming guidelines are expected to maintain the current recommendation that added sugars should make up no more than 10% of daily calories for individuals over the age of two.

Photographer: Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Although adherence to these federal guidelines is generally low, the revised advice could further accelerate the ongoing shift away from packaged foods. For those aiming to keep added sugars below 10 grams per meal, many sweetened cereals and regular sodas would need to be avoided. For example, a standard 12-ounce can of Coca-Cola contains 39 grams of sugar.

Following the announcement, shares of major food and beverage companies such as General Mills, Kraft Heinz, Coca-Cola, and PepsiCo experienced declines, even as the broader US stock market reached new highs.

The updated guidelines may also recommend a higher daily protein intake than the current standard of 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. However, the existing cap on saturated fat is likely to remain, despite some health officials arguing that its risks have been overstated.

Requests for comment from the White House, HHS, and USDA were not immediately answered.

Understanding Saturated Fats

Maintaining the current advice to limit saturated fat to no more than 10% of daily calories aligns with established nutrition science, which links high saturated fat consumption to greater cardiovascular risk. Saturated fats are found in animal products like meat and full-fat dairy, as well as in certain baked and fried foods.

Photographer: Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Impact and Implementation of the New Guidelines

FoodFix was the first to report on anticipated changes regarding protein, saturated fat, and added sugars in the new guidelines.

The Dietary Guidelines, last revised in December 2020, influence the diets of nearly 30 million schoolchildren and millions more who participate in federal nutrition programs. These guidelines also inform the recommendations made by healthcare professionals, although most Americans do not meet the standards.

Officials, including Kennedy, have signaled a focus on reducing highly processed foods, which are typically made with industrial additives, preservatives, and artificial ingredients uncommon in home kitchens.

In July, the FDA and USDA began working on a formal definition for “ultra-processed food,” but Kennedy has indicated that a universally accepted definition may never be reached.

Reducing ultra-processed foods in schools could prove challenging, as many lack the resources to prepare meals from scratch. Diane Pratt-Heavner, spokesperson for the School Nutrition Association, noted that additional funding from Congress would be necessary to help schools expand scratch cooking capabilities.

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