WASHINGTON — In a move that could reshape the American pantry and the multibillion-dollar food industry, the U.S. government is expected to release updated dietary guidelines today that take a significantly firmer stance against added sugars.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030, jointly published by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), serves as the cornerstone of federal nutrition policy. According to Bloomberg, the new recommendations are poised to urge a substantial pullback in sugar consumption as health officials grapple with a national obesity crisis and skyrocketing rates of Type 2 diabetes.
A Sharper Focus on Sugar
While previous iterations of the guidelines recommended that added sugars make up less than 10% of a person’s daily caloric intake, experts familiar with the draft suggest the new version will go further. This shift comes as nutritionists and government officials increasingly point to “ultra-processed” foods—from cereal and granola bars to flavored yogurts and sodas—as the primary culprits in the American diet.
“The science regarding the health risks of a high-sugar diet is strong,” Bloomberg noted, citing the strengthening consensus among nutrition researchers. “Not only is sugar associated with chronic disease risk and obesity, but it also displaces foods known to protect and promote health.”
For an average adult on a 2,000-calorie diet, the current 10% limit equates to about 50 grams, or 12 teaspoons, of added sugar per day. However, a single 12-ounce can of regular soda contains roughly 39 grams of sugar, nearly reaching the daily limit in one serving. Bloomberg highlights the urgency of this reality: “In a normal 2,000-calorie diet, the quantity of sugar recommended by the federal government for a whole day is less than what’s in a 12-ounce can of soda.”
Impact on Federal Programs
The guidelines are far more than just a list of “best practices” for the public; they mandate the nutritional standards for billions of dollars in federal spending. This includes the National School Lunch Program, which feeds millions of children, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
Health advocates argue that these specific limits provide the necessary leverage to improve the quality of food served in public institutions. “This can have important policy implications when a specific limit is provided,” Bloomberg reported. “This pertains to both federal and local policy and even institutional policies in the workplace and school setting.”
For low-income populations, who often have limited access to fresh, whole foods, the guidelines are particularly critical. Bloomberg emphasized that the update is “a huge win for public health,” specifically because “these guidelines impact many of our federal food programs serving low-income populations, who are disproportionately at risk for metabolic diseases such as diabetes.”
Industry Pushback and Consumer Change
The anticipated recommendations have already sent ripples through the food and beverage industry. Trade groups representing sugar producers and manufacturers of processed snacks have long argued that sugar can be part of a balanced diet and that the focus should remain on total caloric intake rather than specific ingredients.
However, the 2025 update appears ready to challenge the status quo by calling out the sources of “empty calories” more directly. The report is expected to emphasize that “anytime you’re buying a bag, box, bottle or can, you should be looking on the back and seeing how much sugar is in it,” according to Bloomberg. Experts suggest that if a product contains 20 to 30 grams of sugar per serving, consumers should be “concerned” about its impact on their long-term health.
Ultimately, the goal of the new guidelines is a “fundamental shift” in how Americans view their daily meals. Rather than focusing on individual nutrients in isolation, the government is pushing for a holistic healthy eating pattern. As the Bloomberg report underscores, “Take a bite out of the added sugars in your diet by drinking plain water instead of sugary beverages. This one simple lifestyle change can be an effective response to the latest nutrition science.”
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