The preparation and publication of the WHO report sparked strong reactions from the American sugar industry, which even threatened to put pressure on the American political authorities to stop funding this body. United Nations^3,4.

According to the American National Sugar Association, sugar consumption cannot be directly linked to any chronic disease and the WHO recommendation is not scientifically based. An accusation that the WHO rejects, which claims to have based its recommendation on the work of a team of 30 experts, as well as on the guidelines already in force in more than 20 countries around the world^4,5.

But the pressures didn’t just come from the industry. For example, in 2004, as the WHO was preparing to adopt its global health strategy, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) criticized the WHO guidelines. According to this organization, and this is also the credo of the industry, there are no good or bad foods and it is up to each individual to choose wisely what he puts on his plate or in his glass.^6,7.

Another story from the International Obesity TaskForce (IOTF), an international network of experts, who believes that the sugar industry, junk food and the US government that supports them are solely motivated by economic interests. “It is time for everyone to realize that the health of current and future generations is more important than quick profits,” says IOTF president, in an unequivocal press release⁸.

Oddly enough, while the US HHS questions the WHO recommendations, the american food guide, revised last spring, applies them perfectly in its directives to the population.

Indeed, US citizens are suggested to consume only moderate amounts of sugar and foods and beverages containing added sugars, according to these new dietary recommendations, which take the shape of a pyramid.

In the context of a diet providing, for example, 2 calories per day, the American pyramid limits the number of “discretionary” calories to 000 per day. These “discretionary” calories are those that can come from added sugars and fats, such as drinks, sweets, sauces, frozen meals, etc.⁹.

Here we are very close if not even below the WHO guidelines which are 200 calories per day for added sugars.

In Canada, the Food Guide in effect from 1992 to 2005 made no specific recommendations regarding added sugars. The version launched in 2006 takes the plunge and recommends, on three occasions, to limit consumption. For example: “Limit the consumption of foods and drinks high in calories, lipids, sucre or salt (sodium), such as: donuts and muffins, cookies and granola bars, chocolate and candies, ice cream and frozen desserts, chips, nachos and other salty snacks, fries, cakes and pastries, alcohol, fruit flavored drinks, beverages carbonated, sports and energy drinks, hot or cold sweet drinks. “¹⁰

This, of course, is some advice and some relevant examples, but not as specific as the WHO recommendation. Several nutritionists would have liked more precision. Indeed, according to Simone Lemieux, researcher at the Institute of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods (INAF)¹¹, “The WHO guideline is reasonable and viable, as it leaves room for 50 g of added sugars per day, which represents about 12 tbsp. tea ”.

However, Canadians as a whole may have great difficulty in adhering to the WHO recommendations. Indeed, recent figures unveiled by the Organization for Economic Development Cooperation (OECD) reveal that Canadians consumed, in 2002, three times more sugar than what the WHO recommends, or 61 kg per year! Within the OECD, only Americans swallow more, i.e. 72 kg per yearâ € ¦¹²

In France, the National Institute for Prevention and Health Education launched an awareness campaign in September 2005 urging the population to reduce their sugar consumption by 25%.¹³. This campaign is based on the conclusions of a report by the French Food Safety Agency (Afssa), published in October 2004¹⁴.

In Europe, Finland, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Poland, Spain and Great Britain have a recommendation similar to that of the WHO. More than 20 countries agree, but Canada is not yet one of them.