The Food and Drug Administration said that in its view sweeteners derived from sugarcane, including those derived from sugarcane syrup, should not be called “evaporated cane juice” on food labels.
Instead, the ingredients should be declared as “sugar,” preceded by one or more truthful, non-misleading descriptors if the manufacturer so chooses, according to F.D.A. guidance entitled “Ingredients Declared as Evaporated Cane Juice.”
The FDA guidance is not mandatory.
“The guidance represents the current thinking of FDA on this topic,” the FDA said. “It does not establish any rights for any person and is not binding on FDA or the public. You can use an alternative approach if it satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations.”
The FDA invited public comments on the guidance. Comments may be submitted electronically at www.regulations.gov. Comments may be mailed to Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville MD 20852. All submissions must include the Docket No. FDA-2009-D-0430 for “Ingredients Declared as Evaporated Cane Juice.”