Question from Tammy
Debra,
I try to avoid giving my 3 year old daughter candy but of course family like to give her candy and junk anyway. I hate that because they really don’t have a clue how bad most of that stuff is for kids or anyone for that matter. Anyhow, I was recently introduced to an all organic lollipop with the following ingredients:
Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Organic Tapioca Syrup, Non GMO Citric Acid (made from beet sugar (not corn), Natural Flavors (May contain Watermelon, Pomegranate, Orange Oils, Lemon Oils, Raspberry, Mango), Natural Colors, (may contain Red Cabbage, Purple Carrots)
Now I can see there is no actual sugar in these suckers but I am not familiar with the Organic Evaporated Cane Juice and the Organic Tapioca Syrup. My question is what are these sweetners and what are the effects on my daughter? Just thinking that they can’t be as bad as sugar or corn syrup doesnt make it so. I am hoping you would know.
Thanks for any insite you can give. I enjoy your newsletter!
Tammy
Debra’s Answer
Organic Evaporated Cane Juice should be the whole juice from the sugar cane plant, with the water removed, but not refined. However, my experience has been that the labeling with regards to this may not always be accurate. I’ve called some companies that have this on the label and it could also mean something else.
Tapica syrup is a sweetener made from tapioca starch–the same tapioca used to make tapioca pudding. It is only available commercially. I don’t know anything about this sweetener.
It would be best to wean a child off of these kinds of treats completely.
