Shocking amount of sugar found in many hot flavoured drinks
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- Published: Thursday, 18 February 2016 09:11
- Written by News Editor
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With an estimated 1.7 billion cups of coffee sold each year in the UK from over 18,000 outlets and one in five of the population visiting a coffee shop daily, campaign group Action on Sugar has warned of the dangerously high sugar content of certain hot beverages found in many high street coffee shop chains. FGDP(UK) says that the ‘shocking’ amount of sugar in some hot drinks is further evidence of the need for bold action to make it easier for people to make healthy dietary choices.
The Action on Sugar report says:
- 98% of hot flavoured drinks would receive a ‘red’ (high) label for excessive levels of sugars per serving – with 35% containing the same amount or more sugar than a can of Coca Cola
- Starbuck’s Hot Mulled Fruit - Grape with Chai, Orange and Cinnamon Venti is the worst offender, containing a whopping 25 teaspoons of sugar - more than THREE times the maximum ADULT daily intake of free sugars (7tsp/d)
- With the imminent release of the government’s Childhood Obesity Strategy – Action on Sugar is calling for stricter product reformulation of sugar and fat with mandated targets, a ban on promotions and marketing of unhealthy products and a 20% tax on sugar-sweetened drinks
Worryingly, they say, from the entire out-of-home hot drinks surveyed, 55% contain the equivalent, or more than, the maximum daily recommended amount of sugars for an adult and teenager (30g – 7tsp/d). When it comes to hot drinks that are perceived to be ‘healthy’, a Starbuck’s Chai Tea Latte Venti (extra-large) contains 13 teaspoons of sugar per serving alongside Eat’s Chai Latte Big and Matcha Latte Big at 11 teaspoons.
Professor Graham MacGregor, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at Queen Mary University of London, Chair of Action on Sugar says, “This is yet again another example of scandalous amount of sugar added to our food and drink. No wonder we have the highest rates of obesity in Europe. Cameron now has all the evidence to make the UK the first country in the world to stop the obesity and type 2 diabetes epidemic. To do this Cameron has to be radical and follow every single action that we have set out in our comprehensive plan. Otherwise it will be the final nail in an already bankrupt NHS.”
Kawther Hashem, Registered Nutritionist and Researcher for Action on Sugar says, “Coffee shop chains must immediately reduce the amount of sugar in these hot drinks, improve their labelling and stop selling the extra-large serving sizes. These hot flavoured drinks should be an occasional treat, not an ‘everyday’ drink. They are laden with an unbelievable amount sugar and calories and are often accompanied by a high sugar and fat snack. It is not surprising that we have the highest rate of obesity in Europe. Our advice to consumers is to have a plain hot drink or ask for your drink to contain a minimal amount of syrup, preferably sugar free, in the smallest serving size available.”
Starbucks has replied saying: “Earlier this year we committed to reduce added sugar in our indulgent drinks by 25% by the end of 2020. We also offer a wide variety of lighter options, sugar-free syrups and sugar-free natural sweetener and we display all nutritional information in-store and online."
Action on Sugar plan
Cameron has promised a robust and evidence-based plan for the UK to prevent childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes.To do this:
- He must set up an independent agency for nutrition not controlled by the food industry (i.e. the opposite of the failed ‘Responsibility Deal’).
- This agency would be responsible for reformulating with a 50% reduction in sugar and a 20% reduction in fat in all unhealthy drinks and foods within 5 years.
- The agency would be responsible for banning of all forms of advertising/marketing/promotion of unhealthy foods and drinks to children and adolescents.
- The agency with the Treasury would be responsible for a hypothecated 20% duty on all sugar-sweetened drinks.
- The agency would also be responsible for uniform colour-coded labelling on all foods and drinks, both bought in supermarkets and out-of-home.
- See more at: http://www.actiononsugar.org/News%20Centre/Surveys%20/2016/170865.html#sthash.mHBratqh.dpuf
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