A group of stakeholders led by the National Confectioners Association and the Sweetener Users Association has formed the Alliance for Fair Sugar Policy with the goal of pushing Congress to modernize the U.S. sugar program.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue toured Lindt USA’s headquarters in Stratham, N.H. Thursday to experience firsthand the economic impact that the confectionery industry has on the state and national economy. 

Public Health England (PHE), an executive agency of the United Kingdom’s Department of Health, last week released guidelines for sweets manufacturers to cut sugar levels by 20 percent over the next three years. 

I do see two issues looming ahead, however, and those are sugar taxes and legalized marijuana, both of which have major implications for the confectionery industry. But let’s focus on something all confectioners should do well to monitor: sugar taxes.

I also believe, given the majority rule in the Congress and Senate by Republicans, that there’s an opportunity for the confectionery industry here, regardless of your political affiliation. If there’s ever a time to revamp our nation’s sugar policy, it’s now.