Abstract: A method is disclosed whereby the sugar portion of ion excluded molasses is treated with a halogen or a nascent halogen agent in order to remove the objectionable flavor and odor characteristics normally associated with raw cane juice.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for the purification of cane juice to produce a finished product of very high quality. This purification process and general concept differs from existing cane juice purification schemes in that traditional methods either produce crystalline raw sugar or a liquid product commonly referred to as high test or fancy molasses. The processing of the cane juice generally comprises the steps of:(a) pretreating the cane juice to remove any soil or foreign matter and substantially reducing the total cation concentration of the cane juice;(b) hydrolyzing the pretreated cane juice to a desired degree;(c) purifying the hydrolyzed juice without precipitation or crystallization of raw sugar by subjecting the solution obtained in step (b) to gross demineralization and decolorization; and(d) concentrating the purified solution obtained in step (c) to obtain a pure odorless finished sugar product which meets or exceeds existing standards for pure sugar.