Sugar Substitutes

If you're among the estimated 20.8 million people in the United States who have diabetes, consider HERSHEY'S Sugar Free Candies as a welcome alternative to regular HERSHEY'S products. They have the same high quality and great taste -- but without the sugar. And HERSHEY’S Sugar Free Candy contain fewer calories – because the products vary, the calorie reduction ranges from 19-41% compared to our regular products.

HERSHEY'S Sugar Free Candies contain sugar alcohols, which are digested more slowly than sugar. This means they generally cause a smaller rise in blood sugar levels, and they provide fewer calories per gram than does sugar. That may be preferable for many people with diabetes and others who follow a carbohydrate-conscious diet. Based on dietary exchanges, HERSHEY'S Sugar Free products represent about half the carbohydrates compared to regular HERSHEY'S chocolate.

To learn more about diabetes, contact the American Diabetes Association

FAQ

Q: Why has The Hershey Company introduced HERSHEY'S Sugar Free Candy?
A: Consumers have been asking for HERSHEY'S Sugar Free Candy for years. After extensive research and product testing, we are thrilled to offer the only sugar free candies good enough to be called HERSHEY'S. Consumer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many people telling us that the flavor is as satisfying as the "regular" HERSHEY'S confectionery.

Q: Why did The Hershey Company reformulate the HERSHEY'S Sugar Free Chocolate Candy?
A: To deliver to consumers a richer and chocolaty taste and texture.

Q: What makes these products "Sugar Free"?
A: HERSHEY'S Sugar Free items meet FDA regulations for sugar free products, which must contain less than 0.5 grams of sugar per serving. These products contain sugar substitutes, called sugar alcohols, like maltitol, lactitol, and isomalt and low calorie sweeteners such as sucralose and acesulfame potassium instead of sugar.

Q: How do HERSHEY'S Sugar Free Candies fit into a balanced and healthy lifestyle?
A: Chocolate and confectionery products can be part of a balanced and healthy lifestyle. We believe, as do most nutrition professionals, that chocolate and confectionery products can be enjoyed by almost everyone, but moderation is the key.

Q: Are HERSHEY'S Sugar Free Candies lower in calories and/or fat?
A: HERSHEY'S Sugar Free Candies have fewer calories compared to their "regular" counterparts, however because the products vary in composition they range from 19-41% reduced in calories. Check your favorite product’s nutrition information to see the difference between HERSHEY'S Sugar Free Candy and their counterparts. (See the specific products for calorie information.) It is important to note that HERSHEY'S Sugar Free items are not low calorie or no-calorie foods. They contain about the same level of fat as regular chocolate. HERSHEY'S Sugar Free Chocolate Candy also contain about the same level of caffeine as regular chocolate.

Q: Are HERSHEY'S Sugar Free Candies lower in carbohydrates?
A: The nutrition facts panel on HERSHEY'S Sugar Free labels will show carbohydrate content that is comparable to regular confectionery counterparts. However, HERSHEY'S Sugar Free products use sugar alcohols as a substitute for sugar. The sugar alcohols are digested by the body more slowly than sugar. As a result, their carbohydrate exchange value is about half that of sugar. Current Food and Drug Administration labeling regulations do not allow the labeling of carbohydrates within the nutrition panel in this way. However, we have reflected the carbohydrate exchange value in the dietary exchanges: for example, 1 carbohydrate unit for HERSHEY'S and REESE'S Sugar Free Chocolate Candy compared to 2 units for regular HERSHEY'S Milk Chocolate Bar.

Q: Are HERSHEY'S Sugar Free Candies appropriate for people with diabetes?
A: HERSHEY'S Sugar Free items contain sugar alcohols such as maltitol to replace the sugar. These sugar alcohols are digested more slowly and generally cause a relatively small rise in blood sugar levels. For people with diabetes, this is preferable to the sharper increase in blood sugar associated with products containing sugar. Regular confectionery products can also be included in a diabetes meal plan, as long as consumers plan carefully for the effect on blood sugar levels. People with diabetes should ask the advice of their diabetes educator or registered dietitian about the role of sugar free confectionery in their meal plan. For more information about HERSHEY'S Sugar Free products and diabetes, click here.

Q: Are HERSHEY'S, REESE'S, YORK, TWIZZLERS and JOLLY RANCHER Sugar Free Candies "free foods"?
A: YORK and JOLLY RANCHER Sugar Free Candies are reduced calorie foods – that is, they provide at least 25% fewer calories than the "regular" candies. However, HERSHEY'S and REESE'S Sugar Free Candies are NOT low-calorie or no-calorie free foods that can be eaten in unlimited amounts. Moderation is the key. Overeating these products may cause blood sugar levels to increase more than desired despite their carbohydrate exchange value. In addition, excess consumption may lead to exceeding one’s daily meal plan for calories and fat and may trigger gas production or a laxative effect.

Q: What are sugar alcohols?
A: Sugar alcohols are sugar replacers, used to take the place of sugar to make sugar free candies and other sugar free products. Sugar alcohols used in HERSHEY’S Sugar Free Candies include maltitol, maltitol syrup, sorbitol, isomalt, polyglucitol, and lactitol. They have fewer calories than sugar, but still provide a sugar-like taste. Sugar alcohols are digested more slowly than sugar, generally producing a relatively small rise in blood sugar levels after eating. Because sugar alcohols may bypass initial steps in digestion (similar to fiber), excess intake may trigger gas production or a laxative effect.

Q: Are there other products made with sugar alcohols?
A: Many reduced calorie, reduced sugar and/or sugar free products are made with sugar alcohols. You can tell which sugar alcohols are used by reading the ingredients listed on the package.

Q: How do sugar alcohols compare to other artificial sweeteners such as saccharin and aspartame?
A. Sugar alcohols replace the bulk of regular sugar and also provide some of the sweetness of sugar. Saccharin and aspartame are low calorie sweeteners that are hundreds of times sweeter than sugar. So only a very small amount is used. They are most commonly found in diet drinks. We do have a low calorie sweetener -- sucralose -- in some of our products. Sucralose is derived from sugar, but is 600 times sweeter and has no calories. In our products, it is used to round out the sweetness level, as sugar alcohols generally are less sweet than sugar.

Q: Do sugar alcohols alter the chocolate taste? Is there any aftertaste?
A. Our consumer research indicated that most consumers did not find that our Sugar Free Candies had an unpleasant aftertaste.

Q: Do sugar alcohols have any digestive side effects?
A. When consumed in moderation, sugar alcohols should not cause any digestive side effects in most individuals. However, some people are more sensitive and may experience some side effects at lower levels. One of the reasons that sugar alcohols are lower in calories and carbohydrates compared to sugar is that they are digested and absorbed in a different way. Sugar is digested in the small intestine by enzymes, however most sugar alcohols are digested in the large intestine by normally occurring bacteria. In the process of digesting sugar alcohols, some digestive side effects can occur, including gas, cramps, and diarrhea. Severity of the side effects will vary based on the individual, and the amount of product that is eaten. These side effects are generally similar for all sugar alcohols. Due to the presence of sugar alcohols in our products, we have included a warning statement on most sugar free products indicating that individuals sensitive to sugar substitutes may experience a laxative effect. Our sugar free chewing gums and mints do not include a warning statement as a result of their small serving and package size.

Q: What is the safety record of the sugar substitutes used in HERSHEY'S Sugar Free products?
A: We use sugar alcohols permitted for use in the U.S. by the Food and Drug Administration. Most of these have been used in many different types of food products for many years. Sucralose was approved for use in the U.S. by the FDA in 1999, and has been safely used in many different types of foods and beverages, as well as a popular dietetic tabletop sweetener (SPLENDA brand). Sucralose has been used safely for many years in Canada and many parts of Europe.

Q: Do HERSHEY'S Sugar Free Candies carry any warning labels or information statements?
A: Yes. Due to the presence of sugar alcohols in our products, we have included a warning statement on most of our sugar free products indicating that individuals sensitive to sugar substitutes may experience gas or a laxative effect. Our sugar free chewing gums and mints do not include a warning statement as a result of their small serving and package size.

Q: Can HERSHEY'S Sugar Free Chocolate Candy be used in baking?
A: Yes. Although our products are Sugar Free Candies, they can be used as ingredients in baking (e.g., cookies) and will behave about the same as regular chocolate candy. For recipes, visit our recipe page.

Q: Where can I buy HERSHEY'S Sugar Free Candies?
A: HERSHEY'S Sugar Free Candies are available wherever regular HERSHEY'S confectionery products are sold.