It is not the final result, but the sources of these sugars that causes the distinction. All Jews are forbidden Chametz [leavened grains (barley, oats, rye, spelt, wheat) that have been leavened (come into contact with moisture and allowed to allowed to ferment or rise)] during Passover. Ashkenazi (Northern European) Jews are also prohibited Kitniyot (rice, buckwheat/kasha, millet, beans, lentils, peas, sesame seeds, mustard, corn, green beans, snow peas, sugar-snap peas, chickpeas, soybeans, sunflower and poppy seeds) for three reasons: 1. Kitniyot are harvested and processed in the same manner as chametz. 2. They are ground into flour and baked just like chametz [so people may mistakenly believe that if they can eat kitniyot, they can also eat chametz]. 3. It may have chametz grains mixed into it [so people who eat kitniyot may inadvertently be eating chametz]. source: http://www.30minuteseder.com/cook.html