Research from Action on Sugar shows that manufacturers put different amounts of sugar in similar products -- suggesting that new anti-obesity targets are well within reach.
An analysis of popular sweetened products by Sustain member Action on Sugar has found that similar products can contain significantly different amounts of sugar -- apparently without preventing people from buying and enjoying them.
For example, Asda Smart Price Vanilla Flavour Ice Cream (with 7.9g per 100g) contains 46% less sugars compared to Waitrose Duchy Organic Vanilla Ice Cream (14.5g sugars per 100g). Organix Goodies Gingerbread Men Biscuits (18.8g) contain 38% less sugars than McVitie's Mini Gingerbread Men (30.4g sugars per 100g).
Action on Sugar says this demonstrates that it is possible to reduce sugar content without damaging sales, and that meeting recently announced targets should not present a problem.
Following the publication of the Government's curtailed childhood obesity plan last August, Public Health England took the lead in setting out a reformulation plan, which calls on manufacturers to cut the amount of sugar their products by 20% by 2020.
Read Action on Sugar's survey in full here, and find out more here about Sustain's campaigning work on children's diets.
Published Thursday 27 October 2016
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
