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Call to halve target for added sugar Call to halve target for added sugar
(35 minutes later)
People need to halve their intake of added sugar to tackle the obesity crisis, according to scientific advice for the government in England.People need to halve their intake of added sugar to tackle the obesity crisis, according to scientific advice for the government in England.
A draft report by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) says sugar added to food or naturally present in fruit juice and honey should account for 5% of energy intake.A draft report by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) says sugar added to food or naturally present in fruit juice and honey should account for 5% of energy intake.
Many fail to meet the old 10% target.Many fail to meet the old 10% target.
The sugar industry said "demonising one ingredient" would not "solve the obesity epidemic".The sugar industry said "demonising one ingredient" would not "solve the obesity epidemic".
The body reviewed 600 scientific studies on the evidence of carbohydrates - including sugar - on health to develop the new recommendations.The body reviewed 600 scientific studies on the evidence of carbohydrates - including sugar - on health to develop the new recommendations.
One 330ml can of fizzy pop would take a typical adult up to the proposed 5% daily allowance, without factoring in sugar from any other source.One 330ml can of fizzy pop would take a typical adult up to the proposed 5% daily allowance, without factoring in sugar from any other source.
Prof Ian MacDonald, the chair of the SACN working group on carbohydrates, said: "The evidence that we have analysed shows quite clearly that high free sugars intake in adults is associated with increased energy intake and obesity.Prof Ian MacDonald, the chair of the SACN working group on carbohydrates, said: "The evidence that we have analysed shows quite clearly that high free sugars intake in adults is associated with increased energy intake and obesity.
"There is also an association between sugar sweetened beverages and type-2 diabetes."There is also an association between sugar sweetened beverages and type-2 diabetes.
"In children there is clear demonstration that sugar sweetened beverages are associated with obesity."In children there is clear demonstration that sugar sweetened beverages are associated with obesity.
"By reducing it to 5% you would reduce the risk of all of those things, the challenge will be to get there.""By reducing it to 5% you would reduce the risk of all of those things, the challenge will be to get there."
The target of 5% of energy intake from free sugars amounts to 25g for women (5-6 teaspoons) and 35g (7-8 teaspoons) for men, based on the average diet.
'Silver bullet''Silver bullet'
Public Health England will now reconsider its recommendations on fruit juice and smoothies in its 5-a-day campaign.Public Health England will now reconsider its recommendations on fruit juice and smoothies in its 5-a-day campaign.
The current advice from the NHS is that juice counts as a maximum of one portion a day, while a smoothie may count as more than one portion, depending on how it is made.
It will also investigate measures to protect children from food advertising while online and whether a sugar tax would have any merit.It will also investigate measures to protect children from food advertising while online and whether a sugar tax would have any merit.
Dr Alison Tedstone, the chief nutritionist at Public Health England, said: "We are very concerned around sugar intakes in England.Dr Alison Tedstone, the chief nutritionist at Public Health England, said: "We are very concerned around sugar intakes in England.
"It doesn't mean having a completely different diet from today, it is thinking about swapping high sugar foods for a lower sugar alternative."It doesn't mean having a completely different diet from today, it is thinking about swapping high sugar foods for a lower sugar alternative.
"Instead of fizzy drink have water or low fat milk, instead of a chocolate bar, have a piece of fruit.""Instead of fizzy drink have water or low fat milk, instead of a chocolate bar, have a piece of fruit."
Dr Julian Cooper, head of food science at AB Sugar, said targeting sugar was not a "silver bullet" and people should balance their calorie intake against how much they exercise.Dr Julian Cooper, head of food science at AB Sugar, said targeting sugar was not a "silver bullet" and people should balance their calorie intake against how much they exercise.
The SACN advice echoes an announcement by the World Health Organization in March.The SACN advice echoes an announcement by the World Health Organization in March.
Its draft guidelines reiterated that sugars should constitute no more than 10% of energy intake and that people and governments should be aiming for 5%.Its draft guidelines reiterated that sugars should constitute no more than 10% of energy intake and that people and governments should be aiming for 5%.
The limits would apply to all sugars added to food, as well as sugar naturally present in honey, syrups, fruit juices and fruit concentrates.The limits would apply to all sugars added to food, as well as sugar naturally present in honey, syrups, fruit juices and fruit concentrates.