[tremon]

if most people were like me, they would read the label and refuse to buy

Well, obvious conclusion is obvious: people are not like you. Especially since you said earlier:

WTF?!? There should be no need for sugar in refried beans!

So why would you expect people to read the label for a product that clearly names what it should contain?

There can only be one explanation: most consumers are dumb.

In light of the above, I can offer another explanation: most consumers are too trusting. Distrust takes mental effort, so people pick their battles. I would not have read the label for a can of refried beans either.

(as an aside: I believe this is where many Europeans would say that this is what food standards are for, to which many Americans would respond: wtf regulation)

[GFK_of_xmaspast]

I read the label for unfamiliar brands of re-fried beans to make sure they're vegetarian.