Cut recommended sugar intake by half, says SACN report

The government has been urged to slash the recommended intake of sugar by half in a shock report that could spark a clampdown on fizzy drinks.

The long-awaited report on carbohydrates by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), published today, said the UK population should get no more than 5% of its daily energy intake from sugar. This equates to just five teaspoons or 25g a day for women and up to eight teaspoons or 35g for men.

Under the proposals, drinking one can of fizzy drink could see people hitting the recommended daily limit of sugar intake. “There is no reason at all to drink fizzy drinks,” said Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at Public Health England (PHE) today.

The SACN report follows a recent call by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which said a 5% target on sugar would be advisable.

Today’s report has caused uproar among industry sources who fear it will confuse consumers, especially as SACN’s recommended sugar intake for an individual is put higher - at 10%. One industry source told The Grocer the new report guidelines had the potential to cause “huge confusion”.

The report also calls for the government to “minimise” consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages including fizzy drinks and squash, as well as calling for diets much higher in fibre.

PHE proposals

The SACN is made up of independent experts and provides advice to PHE and other government departments.

Today PHE announced it would begin gathering more evidence for measures to meet the SACN’s targets, including a possible sugar tax; a clampdown on advertising to children; and a reboot of its five-a-day campaign, which could see some products ditched from the Department of Health’s eatwell plate.

“The work the industry has done on salt reduction is world leading and some of the moves made on sugar have been exellent. We want more”

Dr Alison Tedstone, PHE

Dr Alison Tedstone said: “The committee have revised downwards the recommended daily levels because of clear evidence about dental health, and calorie intake and weight gain in children and adults, and evidence on the risk of type two diabetes. We are very concerned about sugar intake in England.” The impact of the obesity crisis was “devastating”, she added.

Tedstone said PHE would look at a potential clampdown on advertising to children and at “the evidence around fiscal measures”. “Some countries have already introduced food taxes but as yet there is little evaluation,” she said.

She added that PHE planned more talks with the industry that would discuss issues including a ban on bogofs, smaller portion sizes and further reformulation. “The work the industry has done on salt reduction is world leading and some of the moves made on sugar have been exellent. We want more to follow.” She praised Tesco and Lidl for scrapping guilt lanes but said PHE would press for more sweeping changes to promotions in store.

Tedstone also revealed PHE would be “reconsidering our recommendations for fruit juice and smoothies”.

Reaction

In response, a spokesman for the Food and Drink Federation said: “Britain’s food and drink manufacturers want to continue to play a part in helping consumers reduce their calorie intake and be more active and have committed to reducing calories in their products under the Department of Health’s Responsibility Deal.

“FDF would support constructive discussions and further collaborative work based on robust evidence”

FDF spokesman

“In some cases this has included a reduction in sugar as part of the wider calorie reduction plan. FDF would support constructive discussions and further collaborative work based on robust evidence.”

Siân O’Shea, honorary chairman of the British Dietetic Association, welcomed the report. “The success of the national salt reduction programme resulted in a 15% reduction of salt consumption in the UK,” she said. “We can replicate this success again if we have a platform for discussion and collaboration. PHE are providing the landscape in which this challenge can be met.”

Sue Davies, food expert at Which?, said the food industry needed to take “greater responsibility” in promoting products that are high in sugar.

“More manufacturers should follow the lead of retailers by committing to traffic light labelling, so that it’s clear how much sugar products contain, allowing consumers to make an informed choice,” she said.