Suhkrurikaste

Suhkrurikaste is a Finnish descriptor used to designate foods and beverages that have a high sugar content. It is not a formal regulatory category; it appears in media, nutritional guidance, and consumer discussions to indicate elevated levels of added sugar beyond what is typical for a product type. In practice, it covers products where most of the energy comes from added sugars rather than naturally occurring sugars. Examples include soft drinks, candies, sweet baked goods, many breakfast cereals with added sugar, sweet sauces, and processed snacks.

Health and nutrition discussions about sukrurikaste foods emphasize that regular consumption can contribute to excessive energy intake, dental caries, weight gain, and a higher risk of metabolic diseases. Health authorities commonly recommend limiting added sugars to a portion of daily energy intake, with targets often cited around 5-10%, and stricter recommendations for children.

Regulatory context in the European Union requires labeling of total sugars per 100 g or per serving, but there is no official threshold that defines “high sugar” for packaging. Some countries and health authorities publish guidance or front-of-pack labeling to help consumers identify sukrurikaste products. In Finnish public health discourse the term is common, but it remains a descriptive, not regulatory, category.