The Food and Drug Administration is taking aim at one of sugar’s cover identities: evaporated cane juice, a euphemism designed to fool some of the people all of the time. It is especially popular among companies that have cultivated a healthful image, including Amy’s Kitchen, Kind and Chobani.

Just like sugar, this ingredient is created by crushing sugar cane to extract the juice, then purifying that juice, getting rid of the water and turning it into crystals. However, it still contains a bit of molasses, which is completely removed from the cane sugar you find in the store.

Food companies that use this ingredient maintain that it’s different from sugar and that “evaporated cane juice” is its proper name. Others disagree. Now, in its final “Guidance for Industry,” the FDA instructs food companies to call this ingredient “sugar.” Companies can add modifying adjectives, perhaps calling it “organic cane sugar,” but the word “sugar” should be included. Nestle, a huge food company, commented: “At last. A sensible decision. Sugar is sugar, no matter what it is called. Now the FDA needs to do this with all the other euphemisms.” Other ingredients that are nearly equivalent to sugar include rice syrup, sorghum syrup, malt and corn sweetener. (Adapted from an NPR article, May 2016)

The reason for mentioning this matter is to point out why an umpire is important: to stop companies and unscrupulous people misleading the public. In this case sugar is a form of poison. Eat it by all means (how can you avoid it?) but at least you should know what you are eating. This is why we have regulation, and regulations can only be devised and enforced by governments, preferably representative governments fairly elected by the people. Those who oppose sensible regulation tend to have something to hide, don’t you think?