[2022 National Audit] Overeating Causes Stomach Pain and Diarrhea... Increased Production of Children's Favorite Foods Containing Sugar Alcohol

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] It has been revealed that the production of children's favorite foods containing 'sugar alcohol' products, which have low absorption rates in the body and are recently used as substitutes for sugar and sweeteners, has surged.

According to data submitted by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to Choi Hye-young, a member of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, the production performance of children's favorite foods containing sugar alcohol increased by 23.7%, from 852.4 billion KRW in 2020 to 1.0548 trillion KRW in 2021. The number of sugar alcohol-containing products also rose by 31.5%, from 3,773 to 4,962.

Looking at production performance by food type, sugar alcohol-containing fruit and vegetable beverages showed the highest growth rate at 104.8%, followed by carbonated drinks (81.4%) and snacks (57.4%).

The number of products increased most in sugar alcohol-containing carbonated drinks, with a growth rate of 114.3%, followed by snacks (56.7%) and chocolates (55.5%).

Among children's favorite foods certified by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, there were 23 products containing sugar alcohol. The Ministry grants quality certification marks after reviewing safe and nutritious products among children's favorite foods, but there are no separate certification standards for sugar alcohol.

In addition to children's favorite foods, production performance of sugar alcohol-containing products also increased among special-purpose foods mainly consumed by infants and patients. The production performance of patient foods containing sugar alcohol rose by 44.7%, from 13.6 billion KRW in 2020 to 19.7 billion KRW last year.

In the case of weight control formula foods, the number of products increased by 81.4%, from 129 items to 234 items during the same period.

Excessive consumption of products containing sugar alcohol can cause abdominal pain. According to the consumer consultation status of the Korea Consumer Agency over the past three years, there were 11 consultations related to sugar alcohol ingredients, including cases where compensation inquiries were made due to abdominal pain caused by product consumption. For this reason, the Food Labeling and Advertising Act requires products using sugar alcohols as the main raw material to display the warning "Excessive consumption may cause diarrhea," but according to Representative Choi, no actual investigation has yet been conducted on the content or warning label status.

Representative Choi Hye-young emphasized, "Sugar alcohol products such as sorbitol and maltitol, which have recently gained popularity as sugar and sweetener substitutes, are widely included in children's favorite foods such as candies and snacks," adding, "The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety should conduct investigations on content and labeling status and provide guidance on safe consumption methods to prevent infants and young children from experiencing adverse effects such as abdominal pain and diarrhea due to excessive intake."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.