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The Sugar Association, in a statement released today, criticized
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) for misleading
the American public about sugar consumption rates and the health
effects associated with consuming foods and beverages containing
sugar.
"CSPI has been doing this for years and getting away with
it," said Richard Keelor, President and CEO of The Sugar
Association, "and we intend to set the record straight. Such
blatant and repeated misuse of information is neither science nor in
the public interest."
Keelor cited three inaccurate and misleading statements released
by CSPI on May 18. In their news release, CSPI claimed that
Americans consume 158 pounds of sugar per person per year.
"This is simply not true," said Keelor. "The
158-pound figure equates to total sweetener production available in
wholesale channels not human consumption. In fact, USDA consumption
data shows Americans consume only 40 per cent of the total
sweeteners available for commercial use or just 64 pounds per year.
"Continued distortion of sugars consumption is both
irresponsible and inflammatory especially when CSPI buries this fact
five paragraphs later saying, 'The actual amount people consume is
considerably less.' The only reason I can think of to sensationalize
these irrelevant production numbers is to manipulate public opinion
to promote the CSPI agenda."
Later in the same statement, CSPI strongly implies that increases
in sugar consumption are responsible for increases in overweight and
obesity among children.
"The evidence on this issue is very clear," continued
Keelor, "and there is no scientific basis on which to claim
sugar consumption causes obesity. In 1997, the World Health
Organization exonerated sugar consumption as a causative factor in
any disease including obesity." And the current Dietary
Guidelines Advisory Committee stated in their final report to the
Secretaries of the Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human
Services that 'there is no direct link between the trend toward
higher intake of sugars and increased rates of obesity.'"
Keelor, who has a Ph.D. in physical education and served for a
ten-year period as Director of Program Development for the
President's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports, went on to
say, "The cause of the obesity crisis is insufficient levels of
regular physical activity and too many calories consumed. Experience
has shown that trying to reduce consumption of a single nutrient to
achieve a more healthy weight simply doesn't work.
"To really serve the public's interest, I suggest we all
work together to get physical education back into our schools. This
would do more to reduce obesity than anything else. I believe there
is a direct relationship between our failure to maintain a national
commitment to quality physical education and the current obesity
crisis."
Finally, CSPI cites a single study done by a USDA employee as
evidence for their assertion that "sugary foods squeeze
healthier foods out of some peoples' diets."
Keelor continued, "This single USDA study was not published
in an independent journal and was never subjected to the external,
impartial peer-review process used by the scientific community to
assure the validity and rigor of its publications.
"On the other hand, peer-reviewed research published in the
Journal of Clinical Nutrition, (Gibney, M et. al. Consumption of
Sugars. 1995) concluded that eating 'low' levels of sugars did not
necessarily guarantee an individual met dietary guidelines nor did
'high' sugars consumption mean a diet of poorer quality.
"This is precisely why Public Law 101 requires national
nutrition policy and guidance for consumers to be based on the
preponderance of scientific evidence rather than a single
study."
Keelor continued, "An organization calling itself the
'Center for Science in the Public Interest' cannot repeatedly misuse
science and issue misleading statements in its attempts to influence
public policy without being held accountable. It's time for CSPI to
begin to live by the same standards of accuracy and responsibility
that they so vehemently demand of others."
The Sugar Association is a national trade association
representing the growers and processors of sugarcane and sugar beets
and the marketers of sugar in the United States.
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