New Study Links Sugar to Diabetes

---

Statement of CSPI Executive Director Michael F. Jacobson

February 27, 2013

Refined sugars, including high-fructose corn syrup, especially when consumed in soft drinks, increase the risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Dr. Lustig's study is another brick in the wall of evidence that excess sugar consumption is a major threat to public health.

We hope Dr. Lustig's study spurs the Food and Drug Administration to determine and set a safe level of added sugars for use in beverages, as requested in CSPI's recently filed petition. The petition, supported by 10 local health departments and dozens of nutrition experts, calls on the FDA to sharply limit the sugar content of soft drinks and to urge voluntary reductions in baked goods, candy bars, and other sugar-rich foods.