Bloomberg: Sugar Group Asks USDA to Raise Standards for Refined Imports

In the News

A major sugar industry group is urging the US Department of Agriculture to raise its standards for refined sugar imports, saying current requirements permit lower-grade products into the country.

The Sweetener Users Association said that many food companies require refined sugar of higher purity than the government currently mandates.

Sugar quality is measured by “polarity,” a technical gauge of purity. Most food manufacturers use sugar with a polarity between 99.8 and 99.9 degrees, but US import rules allow a minimum of only 99.5 degrees. Sugar with a polarity below 99.5 is considered raw …

SUA Comments Urging USDA to Modernize Refined Sugar Import Standards

Letters

These comments are respectfully submitted in response to the request for information (RFI) published by the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) in the Federal Register of December 15, 2025. Members of the Sweetener Users Association (SUA) use sugar and other sweeteners in making foods and beverages. Approximately 700,000 Americans are directly employed in segments of the food and beverage industries that use sugar …