It will take more than 100 years for sugar consumption among British consumers to reach safe levels, according to new research.
Datamonitor Consumer found that an average consumer typically ate almost double the recommended maximum value of added and naturally occurring sugars, as set by the World Health Organisation (WHO). WHO recommends no more than 50g of sugar each day, whereas the British average intake is 92g, or 23 teaspoons.
It claimed that, slowing at a year-on-year rate of 0.6%, it would take until 2116 before sugar intake reached an acceptable level.
It also said that teenagers were at greater risk than any other demographic – the 15–19 year old age group consumes an extra two teaspoons of sugar each per day due to consumption of fruit, breakfast cereals, confectionery and sugary drinks. The rate of decline in consumption is slowest among younger groups at just 0.5%, which Datamonitor Consumer claims demonstrates a “need for greater emphasis on dietary education”.
Melanie Felgate, food and drink analyst at Datamonitor Consumer, said: Our most recent study found a quarter of UK consumers to be very concerned about having too much sugar, and over half (56%) are actively trying to limit their intake. As they become more aware of how much sugar is really in their food and drinks, their consumption habits are changing. For example, there are people who are switching away from sugary fruit, towards vegetable-based juices and snacks, to better meet their “five a day” target.”
Elsewhere, Brazil was the largest consumer of sugar and China the smallest, with intakes per person of 40 and eight teaspoons per day respectively. Of the 25 markets covered by Datamonitor Consumer’s report, the UK fell outside of the 12 highest offending nations in terms of sugar consumption.
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