Ulbe Bosma on the Rise of the Sugar Industry

Sugar is ubiquitous. Our grocery stores are brimming with sugar-added products, both from the usual suspects like cereal, soda, and other sweet treats and from products marketed as “healthy” that can contain a whopping dose of the sweet stuff.

Likely though, if you’ve been following my work for awhile, you already know this. But how did we get here? 

The new book, The World of Sugar: How the Sweet Stuff Transformed Our Politics, Health, and Environment over 2000 Years, seeks the answer.

On this episode, my co-host, James Connolly is interviewing the author, Ulba Bosma.

Ulbe is a Senior Research for the International Institute of Social History. His research centers on labor and labor relations viewed from a social, historical, and geographical lens. Ulbe’s unique perspective brings to light how sugar production affected cultures worldwide through industrialization, labor migration, and human health.

You can also watch this episode on YouTube: Episode 257: Ulbe Bosma

Episode Credits:

Thank you to all who’ve made this show possible. Our hosts are Diana Rodgers and James Connolly. Our producer is Emily Soape. And, of course, we are grateful for our sponsors, Global Food Justice Alliance members, and listeners.

GFJA members get early access to ad-free podcasts, free downloads, and you’ll be helping get healthy protein like meat, fish, and eggs to food-insecure kids. Go to sustainabledish.com/join to support my work.