Dried squid snacks, a popular ingredient in Korean dishes and a favored accompaniment to alcohol, were found to contain on average 2.9 grams of sugar or one cube of sugar per 15 grams in research conducted by Seoul’s health office. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 29 (Korea Bizwire) – Dried squid snacks, a popular ingredient in Korean dishes and a favored accompaniment to alcohol, were found to contain on average 2.9 grams of sugar or one cube of sugar per 15 grams in research conducted by Seoul’s health office.
From July through October, researchers tested 80 different brands of dried and seasoned seafood and discovered that sugar accounted for 20 percent of the product. Alarmingly, the sugar concentration in some products was found to be as high as 5.9 grams, or two cubes of sugar.
The most commonly used additives were sugar, glucose and fructose in descending order of frequency.
When cooking dishes incorporating foods like dried squid, ingredients and sauces containing sugar concentrate should be avoided. (Image: Yonhap)
Based on the results, the researchers have cautioned diabetic and obese individuals to be aware of the considerable sugar intake when consuming dried and seasoned seafood products.
When cooking dishes incorporating foods like dried squid, ingredients and sauces containing sugar concentrate should be avoided. Sugary drinks and sodas should also be avoided when eating these foods.
Despite these discoveries, most consumers will remain oblivious to the amount of sugar contained in these products when they pick them out at the store. This is because dried and seasoned seafood products are not included in the category of goods required to provide a list of ingredients and nutritional information under the Food Sanitation Act.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
