Expert Clarifies Common Misunderstandings About Ice Cream Sugar Labels After Golda Lawsuit

Following a lawsuit against Golda ice cream over misleading sugar content labeling, Dr. Maya Rozman addressed common misconceptions about sugar-related terms on ice cream packaging. She explained that labels such as "no sugar," "no added sugar," and "diet" have distinct meanings and should not be confused. For example, "no added sugar" means no sugars were added during production, but natural sugars like lactose or fruit sugars may still be present.

Dr. Rozman emphasized that lactose, a natural sugar in dairy, is often overlooked because it is less sweet, but it still counts as sugar. She also clarified that the term "diet" does not necessarily indicate sugar content but refers to a product's composition differing from a regular version, which may include sugar substitutes or lower calories.

The article also discussed sugar alcohols (polyols) such as maltitol, sorbitol, xylitol, and erythritol, which are sweeteners with varying absorption rates and caloric contributions. While they generally raise blood sugar less than regular sugar, they can cause digestive issues like gas or diarrhea if consumed in large amounts, and products containing high levels must carry warnings.

Another common mistake is focusing solely on nutritional values per 100 grams without considering actual portion sizes. Since ice cream servings often exceed 100 grams, consumers need to calculate sugar and carbohydrate intake based on the amount they eat, which is particularly important for people with diabetes or prediabetes.

The Golda case highlighted the broader issue of relying on front-package claims alone. Dr. Rozman advised consumers to read ingredient lists and nutrition tables for a more accurate understanding of sugar content and to be cautious about assuming "diet" or "no added sugar" means a product is sugar-free or suitable for unlimited consumption.