Algerian markets are witnessing a remarkable increase in food products bearing slogans such as “No Sugar,” “Lite,” and “Natural.” These slogans are promoted as healthy alternatives and safe options for the consumer, especially among diabetics and those seeking weight control.
Though, these glossy statements frequently enough hide the use of artificial sweeteners or food additives, the effects of which the consumer may not be aware of or their necessity in the food composition.
Although some of the additives are necessary to ensure the preservation, stability and quality of products, their excessive use, or the replacement of sugar with artificial ingredients, opens a multi-dimensional discussion about citizen health, the transparency of the food industry, and the extent of the consumer’s ability to choose what suits him in light of intense commercial competition that sometimes relies more on marketing dazzle than on scientific facts.
to clarify the scientific background of these problems, the engineer in food sciences and food industries, Grady Rumaisa, will explain to us in this dialogue the truth about “sugar-free” products, the nature of food additives used in the food industry, and the limits of food marketing, along with the impact of these substances on sensitive groups such as pregnant women and children, while providing scientific insights that help the consumer read the food label and make an informed decision that balances health and economic choice.
Interviewed by: Nada Abrous
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////
– National News: When we read on a product the phrase “without sugar,” does that actually mean that it is indeed a healthy choice?
– Rumaisa Jaradi: Unfortunately, this statement is not enough to confirm that the product is healthy. The only element that can determine the true quality of the product is the list of ingredients and the manufacturing method.
Many consider these phrases to be mere marketing tools, but in reality they are claims or phrases that are placed on food labels. These phrases are subject to official laws stipulated in the algerian Official Gazette, and are also subject to censorship.
Thus, no manufacturer can randomly place a phrase on a food label.
Returning to the phrase “sugar-free”, it is indeed legally defined as products that contain less than 0.5 grams of sugar per 100 grams,which is a small amount that is almost non-existent. But the absence of sugar does not mean the absence of sweet taste, as one usually resorts to sweeteners that give the same taste with almost no calories.
These sweeteners are divided into two types: natural sweeteners such as stevia extracted from the stevia plant, and artificial sweeteners produced chemically, of which there are several types widespread in the markets.Therefore, the phrase “without sugar” does not mean that the product is necessarily healthy, as it may contain unhealthy fats, high levels of salt, food additives, and perhaps other harmful ingredients that do not appear in the promotional phrase.
-what alternatives are usually used to replace sugar? Are all sweeteners safe?
In the field of food security, there is a basic rule that the consumer must understand: “The dose determines the toxicity.” Even harmless natural materials may cause problems when consumed in excess, let alone manufactured materials.
Artificial sweeteners are used according to studied and precise quantities, and are subject to supervision and laws that determine the daily limit allowed to be consumed without risk. Each sweetener has a specific value f