new Delhi: A UK campaign group has said the sweet treats people love to snack on may contain “dangerously high” levels of sugar, as it urged the government to impose sugar quotas on manufacturers.
A team of researchers from Action on Sugar, Queen Mary University of London, and the Obesity Health Coalition analyzed the sugar content in popular sweet snacks and came up with their findings and suggestions.
The Daily Mail reported that according to research conducted by the group, a cookie purchased at the Aldi supermarket chain can contain up to 10 teaspoons of sugar, which is more than the amount found in a can of Coca Cola.
The brownies sold at Caffe Nero contain eight teaspoons of sugar, with the campaign group claiming that donuts made by the Krispy Kreme confectionery giant can contain as many as three teaspoons of sugar.
Action on Sugar argued that these products “could be made with very little sugar”, and called on the country’s lawmakers to impose sugar quotas on manufacturers if they are “serious about improving our health”. .
The group also said that there was “no uniformity” and “limited access” to nutritional information on the labeling for the products.
A New Snapshot Product Survey by @actiononsugar And @OHA_update Has uncovered huge variation in portion sizes and sugar content of popular ‘on the go’ sweet snacks sold both at retail and out of home – showing progress in reducing sugar https://t.co/pcghVNdP8i (1/9)
— action on sugar (@actiononsugar) 8 April 2022
‘Act now’
Citing Katherine Jenner, director and registered nutritionist at Action on Sugar, the report said the findings suggest the amount of sugar in packaged food is “deliberately kept away from public scrutiny”.
“It is clear from our product survey that a voluntary approach to reform is not working with most retailers and coffee shops failing to make any significant reductions. These sugary products are enticingly placed til and near the end for adults and children to grab ‘on the go’ with their daily coffee or sandwich, thereby fueling consumption,” she said.
Carolyn Cerny, head of the coalition at the Obesity Health Alliance, said the food industry can help people reduce sugar consumption, but “not all companies are ready to try and play their part by improving their products”. .
He said there should be a new regulation that would financially discourage companies from producing and marketing Chinese products.
“If the government is serious about improving our health, it needs to act now,” Cerny said.
recommended sugar level
For an adult with a normal body mass index (BMI), the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends only six teaspoons of added sugar a day, or 25 grams.
White FDA recommends Sugar intake should not exceed 10 percent of your daily caloric intake, says WHO 5 percent Only.
The Daily Mail reports that in the UK, people are advised to eat no more than 30 grams of sugar a day, which is roughly seven sugar pieces.
In India, per capita sugar consumption is about 10 teaspoons per day, and an average Indian consumes about 18 kg of sugar each year, excluding hidden sugars from various processed foods, according to one report. 2015 report By Indian Journal of Community Medicine (IJCM).
Eating too much sugar is seen as a major reason for rising obesity levels around the world.
See below health equipment-
Calculate your body mass index (BMI)