Many high-end products contain more sugar than cheaper versions
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- Published: Wednesday, 16 November 2016 07:53
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A report by campaign group Action on Sugar highlights higher sugar levels in expensive products when compared with cheaper versions. The report found ASDA's Smart Price Vanilla Flavour Ice Cream contains 7.9g of sugar per 100g, 46pc less than Waitrose's Duchy Organic Vanilla Ice Cream, which contains 14.5g per 100g for example.
Action on Sugar is urging food manufacturers to cooperate with Public Health England’s voluntary "reformulation" programme, which aims to get companies cutting back the sugar in recipes to make foods healthier. Consumers should swap posh brands for cheaper alternatives to cut down on sugar, campaigners have said, amid evidence that makers of the most expensive products will not sacrifice taste for health.
Many high-end yogurts also contained higher amounts of sugar than every-day equivalents. For example Sainsbury's Fab Creamy Vanilla Yogurt contains 11.2g of sugar per 100g, 25pc less than Sainsbury's "Taste the Difference" West Country Madagascan Vanilla Yogurt, which contains 14.9g of sugar per 100g. Biscuits made by well-known brands were also lagging behind smaller equivalents, it found. Organix Goodies Gingerbread Men Biscuits contain 18.8g of sugar per 100g, 38pc less than McVitie's Mini Gingerbread Men which contain 30.4g of sugar per 100g.
Jenny Rosborough, Campaign Manager at Action on Sugar said: “The salt reduction programme, which is saving thousands of lives every year, has shown us how reformulation programmes can have a major impact on public health. This is the start of a successful sugar reduction programme which can pave the way for calorie reduction targets, which are due to be launched next year. However, if some companies refuse to take part we will be calling on the public to boycott their products.”
In a statement a Waitrose spokesperson said: "Waitrose Duchy Organic vanilla ice cream is an indulgent product which is not aimed at children and which our customers buy as a treat. Reducing sugar is a top priority and we have an extensive reformulation programme to achieve this, which has already included significantly reducing sugar in chilled juices, cereals, yogurts, soups, cordials and fizzy drinks."
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