FDA’s recently published final nutrition facts rule requires a mandatory declaration and a daily value (DV) for “added sugar”.

Since last summer, honey groups – spearheaded by the American Beekeeping Federation (ABF) – have been involved in efforts to push back against the “added sugar” labeling requirement.  Most recently, ABF urged its members to voice their opinion on the “added sugars” requirement by submitting comments to FDA’s draft guidance concerning the final nutrition facts rule; the comment period closed on March 6, 2017.  In general, ABF contends that “it would be much more logical and prudent if the FDA would consider listing the naturally occurring sugar content of 100% pure honey as ‘Total Sugars’ and not ‘Added Sugars’.”

With a new administration at the helm, it remains to be seen whether the honey industry will make any headway on the “added sugars” front.