Mars Incorporated has announced its support of two recommendations designed to help consumers limit their intake of added sugar and live healthier lives. The company says it endorses the recommendation made by leading health authorities that suggests people limit their intake of added sugars to no more than 10 percent of total calorie intake. In addition, Mars—which makes brands such as M&Ms, Snickers and Twix—says it supports the US government’s proposal to include an “added sugars” declaration in the nutrition facts panel on all food packaging.
So-called “added sugars” are sugars and syrups added to foods to improve sweetness, structure, texture and shelf life. These are distinct from sugars that are “intrinsic” to foods, such as lactose in dairy or fructose and glucose in bananas.