Research: Calls for Immediate Action Regarding ‘Shockingly’ High Sugar Content in Fizzy Drinks

12 June 2014 --- New research has revealed high and ‘unnecessary’ levels of sugar in carbonated sugar-sweetened soft drinks, as well as ‘huge variations’ in the sugar content of very similar products. The research, by Action on Sugar, has led to calls for immediate action to set targets to reduce sugar levels in all products to halt the obesity epidemic.

The survey, which analysed 232 sugar-sweetened drinks from leading supermarkets, revealed huge variations in the sugar content of similar products. The campaign group says that this demonstrates that sugar levels can come down significantly in soft drinks without it drastically affecting taste.

The product found to have the highest amount of sugar per 330ml (an average can size) was Fentimans Traditional Curiosity Cola at 37.3g per 330ml, while Lidl’s Freeway Cola and Tesco Classic Cola were not far behind, clocking up 36g per 330ml. For each of these three drinks this equates to around nine teaspoons of sugar per can.

According to Action on Sugar, 79% of sugary fizzy drinks contain six or more teaspoons of sugar per can, which is more than the WHO’s recommended daily maximum for sugar.

Other sugar-sweetened carbonated flavoured drinks were also examined in the research, which found that Old Jamaica Ginger Beer with Extra Fiery Jamaica Root Ginger had 52.8 of sugars per 330ml serving, the equivalent of 13.2 teaspoons of sugar per can. The lowest was Sainsbury’s American Ginger Ale at 30.4 or 7.6 teaspoons per can. The research found that 63% of ginger beer drinks contain more sugars than Coca Cola.

Professor Graham MacGregor, chairman of Action on Sugar, said, “Added sugars are completely unnecessary in our diets and is strongly linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes, as well as to dental caries; which remains a major problem for children and adults. 

“We urge the Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt MP, to set incremental targets for sugar reduction now – and to start with these sugary drinks.  Replacing sugar with sweeteners is not the answer: we need to reduce overall sweetness so people’s tastes can adjust to having less sweet drinks.

“A similar approach has successfully reduced salt intake; people are consuming 15% less salt than they were 10 years ago, and now prefer less salty foods, this policy is estimated to be saving 9,000 lives a year, plus healthcare savings of £1.5billion a year.  It is NOW time to do the same for sugar.”

Science director, Dr Aseem Malhotra said, “It’s high time to shake-up nutritional labelling for sugar.  One can of regular Coca cola contains nine teaspoons of added sugar (35g), which is equivalent to 140% of the draft WHO guidelines for added sugar intake. However, the current UK Reference Intake  label misleads consumers into assuming they can consume two and half cans of cola and still be within their daily recommended sugar intake! What’s more, evidence now reveals one sugary drink per day is associated with an increase risk (22%) of type 2 diabetes - even in the non-obese.”

Kawther Hashem, nutritionist at Action on Sugar said: “People are drinking spoonfulls of sugar in their fizzy drinks, even seemingly healthier options such as elderflower can be loaded with sugar. Look on the label for ‘sugar per 100g’ and switch to a lower or no added sugar variety of your favourite drink, or even better, don’t drink them, they contain nothing of any nutritional value. Drink water and save money too!”

Drinks producers say they are responding to the calls to tackle obesity. Yesterday Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE), announced it was launching Coca-Cola Life into the UK this September after a successful trial in Chile and Argentina. The lower sugar variant, which carries green branding, is sweetened with a blend of sugar and stevia, and it contains a third less sugar and calories than regular Coke.

The launch forms part of Coca-Cola’s pledge to reduce the average calories per litre in its range of drinks by 5% by the end of 2014. CCE is a signatory to the government’s Responsibility Deal in the UK.

“We were early signatories to the UK Government’s Responsibility Deal and as we work with others across society to address the public health challenge of obesity in the UK and across Europe, we will continue to take actions that help people balance their lifestyles,” said president of Coca-Cola Europe, James Quincey.

The drink, which has 89 calories for a 330ml can, compared with 139 calories for a can of standard Coke, will be available in 330ml cans, 500ml PET bottles and 1.75-litre PET bottles. It will also come in six and eight-can multipacks.