Buyers will shop differently in the future. - Revised sugar threshold for soft drinks abolished
The German Food Code Commission (DLMBK) has recently changed their rules regarding the levels of sugar allowed in soft drinks labeled as lemonades. Previously, lemonades required a minimum of seven percent sugar, but this has now been revised to allow for lesser amounts as long as the beverage contains "ingredients to achieve a sweet taste." This change brings an end to a five-year-long debate about the acceptable sugar content in lemonades.
The controversy began with German beverage maker Lemonaid, which produces an organic lemonade with a sugar content of just six percent. The Hamburg district office ruled this version of the lemonade too unsweet and mandated either a name change or an addition of more sugar, threatening legal action against the company. Lemonaid fought back, with the Hamburg Health Authority siding with the company by declaring, "Those with less sugar should not be punished." During this time, the lemonade still found its way to consumers.
Now, the commission in charge of these guidelines, which is comprised of representatives from consumer protection, scientists, food control authorities, and the economy, has deemed that six percent sugar is enough to maintain a sweet taste in lemonades. Lemonaid's managing director, Paul Bethke, expressed his excitement about this development but also added, "It did take five years, though."
Although the Food Code is not legally binding, it is generally followed by those in the food industry. These guidelines serve to protect consumers and prevent food manufacturers from using misleading labels. The commission has established the compositions of over 2000 different types of foods, including fruit juices, spices, and baked goods, to ensure clarity and truthfulness in the food supply.
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- With the revised sugar threshold for lemonades in Germany, consumers now have more options when purchasing soft drinks, such as lower-sugar lemonades from companies like Lemonaid.
- The change in the German Food Code has triggered a shift in the beverage industry, with German beverage manufacturers now considering producing lemonades with less sugar to meet the new guidelines.
- Despite the controversy over the acceptable sugar content in lemonades, some consumers in Hamburg continued to enjoy Lemonaid's organic lemonade with just six percent sugar, demonstrating their preference for healthier alternatives in drinks.
Source: www.stern.de
