Tag: Sugar refining process

According to food science research, many sugar manufacturing facilities use sulphur dioxide as a bleaching and clarifying agent, which means small, traceable amounts of sulphur can remain in the final product. This process directly addresses the common question: does white sugar contain sulphur?

Over 80% of the world's sugar is produced from sugarcane, and before it reaches your table as white, granulated crystals, it must undergo a complex refining process that includes decolorization. The primary bleaching agents for sugar work to remove natural colorants and impurities, transforming the raw, brown sugar into the pure, white product consumers expect. This article explores the various methods and agents used to achieve that characteristic white appearance.

While sugar comes from plants like sugarcane or sugar beets, the refining process can involve animal byproducts, making some brown sugars non-vegan. It is a common misconception that all brown sugar is naturally vegan because of its color.