Progress on sugar reduction target unveiled

Public Health England (PHE) has published its first assessment on the government’s sugar reduction programme, which has the aim of reducing childhood obesity.

The food industry, including retailers, manufacturers, restaurants, cafés and pub chains, were given the target to cut 20% of sugar from a range of products by 2020, with a 5% reduction in the first year.

The report reveals Some areas have met the initial 5% sugar reduction target including yoghurts and fromage frais, breakfast cereals, and sweet spreads and sauces.

However there has only been a two per cent reduction in the average sugar content and calories of products achieved by retailers and manufacturers.

Progress is also reported on the drinks covered by the government’s Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL). Sugar has been reduced by 11% and average calories per portion by 6% by retailers and manufacturers in response to the SDIL. Data also shows people are buying more drinks that have sugar levels below the SDIL cut-off of 5g per 100g.

PHE has also published new guidelines for the drinks industry to reduce the amount of sugar children consume through juice and milk based drinks, which are currently excluded from the SDIL.

By mid-2021, the drinks industry is encouraged to reduce sugar in juice based drinks (excluding single juice) by 5% and cap all juice based drinks (including blended juices, smoothies and single juices) likely to be consumed in one go to 150 calories.

Another target is to reduce sugar in milk (and milk substitutes) based drinks by 20% and cap products likely to be consumed in one go to 300 calories

Fruit juice alone accounts for around 10% of the sugar consumed each day by 4 to 18 year olds. Current advice is that only one 150ml portion counts as 1 of our 5 a day.

The next progress report on the sugar reduction programme is due in spring 2019.