soft drinks companies have been accused by public health leaders of “dragging their heels” in the battle to tackle obesity .
The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents more than 370 councils in England and Wales, said manufacturers should go “further and faster” in efforts to reduce sugar in popular drinks, claiming that shoppers were unwittingly buying products laden with calories
LGA research named some cans of fizzy drinks containing up to twice the recommended daily sugar limit, while some fruit juice drinks and ginger beers commonly sold in supermarkets contained more sugar than cola drinks.
An average-sized (330 ml) can of Old Jamaica Ginger Beer contained 12 teaspoons of sugar - double the World Health Organization’s 25 grams recommended daily sugar limit.
Ocean Spray “Cranberry Classic” juice drink had 11 grams of sugar per 100ml; Pomegreat ‘super juice’ drink had 12.1 grams, while full-sugar coke had 10.6 grams.
The LGA praised companies including Britvic, which makes Robinsons, J2O, Tango and Fruit Shoot, for their commitment to reduce average calories per serving by 20 per cent within five years.
“It is wholly unacceptable for one normal-sized can of soft drink to contain 12 teaspoons of sugar – double the recommended daily limit,” said Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Chair of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board.
“Some firms are showing willing when it comes to reducing sugar - but others are simply dragging their heels. They need to go further, faster. We are calling on the sector as a whole to step up and show more corporate responsibility.”
Gavin Partington, BSDA Director General, said the soft drinks industry was leading industry efforts in reformulation.
“The UK soft drinks industry has done more than any other sector to promote calorie reduction, through reformulation, smaller pack sizes and increased promotion of low and no calorie drinks – up by nearly 50% last year alone,” he said..
“It’s worth remembering that more than 60% of soft drinks now contain no added sugar.”
Last week The Grocer revealed how several major companies, including Coca Cola and PepsiCo, took part in talks in London, hosted by the FDF and the BSDA Association, to discuss finding “common ground” in the battle to reduce sugar levels.
Afterwards chairman of Action on Sugar, Professor Graham MacGregor, told The Grocer he was impressed at some of the reformulation work going on by some companies but also accused others of dragging their feet.
Adam Pritchard, founder of PomeGreat, rebutted: “Whilst I appreciate the aims of the Local Government Association in raising the issue of sugar in drinks, their claims about my brand are nonsense.
”I have been battling against European bureaucrats for five years to get the natural fruit extract in my drink approved. My drinks do not contain raw sugar as the Local Government Association wrongly claim. The fruit extract in our drinks enables consumers to manage their glycaemic index – and is designed with the health conscious in mind.
”Seperately, a series of clinical studies in the last twelve months have confirmed that pomegranate juice consumption has a positive impact on arterial health and the management of blood sugar levels.
”I have partnered with the Independent Diabetes Trust on the development of this formulation and they have endorsed it. I am trying to prevent a rise in type 2 diabetes.”
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