Franklin, Andrews, Kramer & Edelstein

[scion]

Some experts believe the industry should follow the template of the U.K.’s sodium reduction program. In 2005 the country’s food industry pledged to reduce sodium in key categories by as much as 50% over eight years. By 2011, national sodium consumption had dropped 15%, and deaths from stroke and heart disease fell about 40%. The U.K. is now considering a similar coordinated attack on sugar.

It’s hard to imagine the U.S. government attempting such an initiative. More likely, American regulators will leave consumers and food companies locked in their long-lasting sugary embrace. The former will keep demanding, and the latter keep promising, the perfect sweet solution—and the next miracle will always be just over the horizon.

A version of this article appears in the March 1, 2017 issue of Fortune with the headline "Sugar Rush."

http://fortune.com/2017/02/22/sugar-stevia-low-calorie-sweetener/?utm_source=digg&utm_medium=email