Excessive sugar consumption by children, including in schools, requires “decisive government action” and updated nutrition policies, health campaigners have said.
Sugary foods are “almost inescapable” for most children and readily available in schools, Action on Sugar said on Tuesday.
It also showed that a combination of popular sweets, such as cakes, chocolate bars, and biscuits, can pack 92.5 grams of sugar if consumed over the course of a day. This is the equivalent of three times the recommended daily sugar limit for children aged 11 and above.
Action on Sugar suggested that School Food Standards, a set of government nutrition guidelines for schools in England, may be driving the excessive consumption of sugar among children by allowing cakes and biscuits at lunchtime.
The charity called for a ban on such foods at schools and the introduction of healthier food strategies to help young people eat better.
“We’re simply not doing enough to support children in keeping their sugar intake within recommended guidelines. We have a duty to every child to make school a sanctuary from unnecessary sugar, so they can grow up healthier, stronger, and free from the risks of diet-related disease,” said Kawther Hashem, head of research at Action on Sugar.
The charity also said that government nutrition guidelines for schools need to be updated and compliance by secondary schools needs to be monitored and supported by extra funding.
Survey data also showed that 61 percent of cakes, 63 percent of chocolates, and 44 percent of biscuits were equal or over one-third of the daily sugar limit for children.
Researchers found the worst combination ranked by calories per serving in Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Free From Gluten Blueberry Muffins (361 calories and 28.5 grams of sugar), Ritter Sport White Whole Hazelnuts (583 calories and 44 grams of sugar), and two Aldi Specially Selected Orkney Caramel Shortbreads (382 calories and 20 grams of sugar).
Nutritionist at Action on Sugar, Nourhan Barakat, said in a statement: “Shocking but true – children can consume 92.5 grams of sugar and over 1,300 calories from just 3 common snacks! A cake for dessert at school, a chocolate bar on the way home, and a few biscuits after dinner can push their sugar intake to triple the daily limit.”
Sugar Reduction Policies
The government introduced its voluntary Sugar Reduction Programme in 2016 to tackle levels of obesity. The programme aimed to cut sugar by 20 percent across key product categories by 2020.Under the policy, sugar levels by 2020 were reduced by 3.2 percent in cakes, 3.1 percent in biscuits, and 0.9 percent in chocolates.
Action on Sugar said the achieved levels were minimal and a “stark contrast to the 20 percent reduction needed to make a meaningful impact on children’s health.”
In comparison, the government’s mandatory Soft Drinks Industry Levy, enforced in April 2018, led to 34.3 percent reduction in sugar content. The tax applies to soft drinks containing added sugar and alcoholic drinks with an alcohol by volume of up to 1.2 percent.
In the October Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced plans to increase the soft drinks levy to account for inflation. The government said the measure will help tackle obesity and other harms caused by high sugar intake.
Ministers will also review the current sugar thresholds and the exemption for milk-based and milk substitute drinks.
Chair of Action on Sugar, Graham MacGregor, said, “This new government now has a unique opportunity to prioritise the health of the nation by implementing a clear, straightforward approach across the food and drink industry which could save the NHS billions and save many thousands of lives.”
