Use of polyether ionophore antibiotics to control bacterial growth in sugar production

In a method of producing sugar comprising extraction of the sugar from a feedstock selected form the group consisting of sugar beet juice, sugar cane juice, hydrolyzed grain, and starch or sugar containing materials to yield a sweet juice, purification of the sweet juice to yield a clear juice, concentration of the clear juice, and crystallization of the sugar, the improvement comprising adding to said feedstock during said extraction a gram positive bacteria controlling or suppressing amount of one or more polyether ionophores to control or suppress bacterial growth during said method of producing sugar.