About Us
Welcome to the Canadian Sugar Institute
The Canadian Sugar Institute (CSI) is a national, non-profit association that provides a science-based Nutrition Information Centre and seeks fair treatment on international trade policies and disputes.
The Institute was incorporated in 1966 to address issues of national importance to the industry. The Institute collects, analyzes, and disseminates statistics, technical reports, and research information; and cooperates with allied groups in the areas of government relations, education, research, and communications.
The Institute operates at arm's length from the funding member companies and is not involved in any product sales, marketing, or promotion activities.
CSI is funded by Canadian producers of sugar (sucrose) from sugar cane and sugar beets. CSI does not represent other sugars such as corn sweeteners or alternative sweeteners.
The Institute operates a small office with a qualified professional staff in each of the nutrition and international trade areas - See Our Team.
Strategic Priorities
To fulfill CSI's mission, CSI staff focus on two strategic priorities:
- CSI maintains a Nutrition Information Centre that aims to gather and share up-to-date research and evidence-based information about sugars, nutrition, and health.
- CSI provides industry consensus to government on international trade policy, agreements, and disputes, and works collaboratively with other stakeholders to advance mutual objectives.
Nutrition Information Centre - Commitment to Transparency
The Canadian Sugar Institute Nutrition Information Centre is committed to maintaining responsible and transparent processes in all its activities, including engagements and partnerships with interested health professionals and scientific bodies on relevant research, education, and communications projects. We aim to adhere to the guiding principles laid out in the publication “Achieving a transparent, actionable framework for public-private partnerships for food and nutrition research” (Alexander et al., 2015).
Research: CSI works collaboratively with external experts and researchers while maintaining transparency and scientific rigor. We participate in collaborative research projects that contribute to the understanding of sugars consumption trends in Canada, sugars-related claims and reformulation in the Canadian marketplace, and knowledge and perceptions regarding sugars. All CSI-funded research projects will be published in peer-reviewed journals with open access.
Education: CSI may provide financial support on sponsored webinars and educational opportunities that facilitate evidence-based knowledge translation; however, CSI does not have a role in the content development. The views expressed reflect those of the speaker(s) and not of CSI. CSI will make every effort to support a balanced discussion and minimize perceived conflict of interest. For example, when sponsoring a webinar or an online course, proposed speakers and content must be reviewed and pre-approved by the host organization.
Social Media: CSI promotes truthful, fair and accurate communications on social media platforms and follows Ad Standards Canada best practices to ensure that sponsorship disclosures are clear, conspicuous and understood. Sponsored Instagram content is created by individual dietitians and posts are reflective of each dietitian’s authentic and unique practice methodologies, interests, experiences, and evaluation of the evidence. CSI is not involved in drafting content and does not author influencer posts. CSI supports full transparency and honesty for viewers of sponsored content. We are updating our social media policies and practices to reflect the Fall 2023 update of Ad Standards Canada “Influencer Marketing Disclosure Guidelines”.
Nutrition Advisors and Academic Partners
CSI’s nutrition professionals seek advice and input from nutrition experts and professional groups to ensure accurate scientific communications. For a listing of CSI's advisors and partners, click here
International Trade Alliances
To meet CSI's trade policy objectives, CSI collaborates with a number of Canadian and international organizations supporting the need to improve access to export markets. For a listing of CSI's international trade alliances, click here
