A study has found that more than a third of sugary foods and drinks sold in street cafes exceed an adult’s daily sugar requirement in just one sitting.
In its Sugar Awareness Week study, Action on Sugar found that Coffee Republic’s Thick Butterscotch Apple Smoothie and Salted Caramel Fudge Pie contained 39 teaspoons of sugar, or 157 grams, when eaten together.
The billionaire’s hot chocolate and sticky toffee cupcake at Soho Coffee Co contain 33 teaspoons of sugar, or 133 grams, as do the strawberry banana smoothie and raisins at Puccino.
The chocolate tea and gingerbread snowman at Pret a Manger contained 22 teaspoons of sugar, or 89 grams, the same as the Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino and a loaf of luxury fruit bread at Starbucks.
Health guidelines recommend that adults consume no more than 30 grams of “free” sugar per day—sugar that doesn’t get stuck in foods like fruit and milk.
Action on Sugar is calling for more transparency over the “scandalous” lack of nutritional information at point of sale, noting that more than one in two young people aged 25 to 34 are overweight or obese, and one in three suffer from untreated teeth. Decline in Britain.
Businesses with 250 or more employees in England, including cafes, restaurants and takeaway shops, will be required to display calorie information on unpackaged food and soft drinks prepared for customers as part of the government’s efforts to tackle obesity. However, Action on Sugar said information about the sugar content of products is often limited.
Overall, the study found that 782 sugary foods and drinks examined at nine leading high street coffee shops were often “inadequately labeled” for consumers.
According to Action on Sugar, more than half of foods would be labeled as “red” (or high in total sugar) if nutritional information were fully transparent. Only one product tested – a butter croissant from Greggs – was low in sugar.
Action on Sugar also calls for new levies to promote healthier food and drink choices and encourage companies to reformulate their products. She suggested this could include extending the current “sugar tax” or levies on the soft drink industry to all juices and milk-based drinks, as well as introducing levies aimed at high levels of sugar in sugary products.
Zoe Davies, nutritionist at Action on Sugar, said: “It’s incredible how easy it is to unknowingly consume 39 teaspoons of sugar and over 1,300 calories just by buying a drink and a cake – all of which is completely unnecessary and tastes delicious.”
“Furthermore, it is unacceptable that consumers are often left in the dark because product sugar content information is not displayed at point of sale and online PDF documents are unavailable or difficult to find and understand.” so people know exactly what they’re buying.”
Graham McGregor, professor of cardiovascular medicine at Queen Mary University of London and chairman of Action on Sugar, said: “While it is outrageous that companies can get away with providing so little nutritional information, it is even more outrageous that the government has failed to take action. . take this into account.” The most important measures to stimulate lower sugar levels.
“The need for mandatory food labeling outside the home and new charges to encourage reformulation has never been clearer. There is no doubt that an unhealthy diet high in saturated fat, salt and sugar and low in fruit and vegetables is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, costing the UK alone more than £100 billion every year. It’s time to redefine profit as a healthy population.”
All coffee shops whose products topped the list were contacted for comment.
A Soho Coffee spokesperson said: “Our SOHO Coffee Co. range. offers a wide choice for all consumers. It is not our job to tell the customer what they want to buy or what lifestyle they want to live. The Sugar Action report unfairly compares brands to brands or products to products.”
Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.