Hidden sugar: Call to change food labelling to reflect added sweetness

AUSTRALIANS could save up to 38.3kg of “unnecessary” added sugar from their everyday diets each year by making simple food swaps, a report says.

Tahni Curnow-Rice is surprised at how much sugar is in her cereal. Picture: David Caird

AUSTRALIANS could save up to 38.3kg of “unnecessary” added sugar from their everyday diets each year by making simple food swaps, a report says.

Better labelling would help shoppers identify surprising added sugar levels in some packaged meals, cereals, snacks and yoghurts, including savoury foods and supposedly “healthy” products, a latest Choice investigation has found.

A sample of six food swaps for no or lower added sugar alternatives could eliminate up to 26 teaspoons of “unnecessary” sugar a day, it calculated.

Using nutritional databases, Choice estimated McCain’s Healthy Choice apricot chicken contained 5.2 teaspoons of added sugar; a Go Natural macadamia bar 4.4 teaspoons; and Gippsland raspberry and coconut yoghurt 3.8 teaspoons.

Choice campaigns and policy adviser Katinka Day said label changes were needed to distinguish between added and natural sugars.

Currently, only the total sugar amount had to be declared.

These food swaps can help cut out added sugar.

“It’s all but impossible for the average shopper to make an informed choice,” Ms Day said.

“Fruit, vegetables and dairy contain naturally occurring sugars and have the added benefits of vitamins, other nutrients and dietary fibre.

“However, sugars added to foods and drinks are devoid of these benefits and add unnecessary kilojoules.

“Current labels allow manufacturers to hide added sugars.

“Dozens of different words are used on ingredient lists to disguise added sugar, such as molasses, glucose syrup and malt extract.”

Excessive added sugar intake contributed to health risks such as weight gain and tooth decay.

Australian Food and Grocery Council acting chief executive Dr Geoffrey Annison said total sugar labels were appropriate.

Total sugar was also used to determine health star ratings.

“The fundamental point is that every time this is looked at the evidence always says that it is total sugars that people should be looking at,” Dr Annison said.

Sugar should not be treated in isolation when discussing tooth decay and obesity, he said.

Ms Day said previous research had revealed children and teenagers were most at risk of overindulging on added sugars in soft drink, cereal, spreads, treats, muesli bars and ready-made sauces and meals.

Some teens swallowed a staggering 38 teaspoons of added sugar a day — equivalent to that in almost four cans of Coke.

Food and health ministers are expected to discuss sugar labelling at a meeting this Friday.

Sign the petition at choice.com.au/addedsugar

@KarenCollierHS