This article was published in FDA Consumer magazine several years ago. It is no longer being maintained and may contain information that is out of date. You may find more current information on this topic in more recent issues of FDA Consumer or elsewhere on the FDA Website, by checking the site index or home page , or by searching the site. Not Only Sugar Is Sweet by Alexandra Greeley Plain table sugar and its numerous taste-alikes may be one of our most popular food commodities.
People come by their love for sweetness naturally.
According to the experts, humans are born generally preferring sweet over bitter or sour tastes. Sweeteners make many foods taste better. But despite their immense popularity, sweeteners, particularly table sugar, have generated their share of sour publicity because of health concerns. These familiar crystals are technically known as sucrose. White sugar comes from sugar cane or sugar beets that have undergone a rigorous refining process.