Our grateful thanks to Action on Sugar & Salt (actiononsugar.org) for their input into our radio report, which you can hear again at the bottom of this page via the audio player.
Understanding Hidden Sugars – What You Need to Know
80% of adults and 90% of children regularly consume more sugar than recommended — and most of this comes from sugars already added to food by manufacturers, not the small amounts we sprinkle on cereal or stir into tea.
Recent research from Action on Sugar & Salt has highlighted a worrying trend in the way that ever popular snack products are marketed. Many foods labelled as “healthy,” “natural,” or “energy boosting” can, in reality, thoy found, contain high levels of sugar, added fats, and saturated fat.
Why Too Much Sugar Matters. Eating more sugar than our bodies need can increase the risk of:
Many people are unaware of just how much sugar they’re consuming because sugar is added to a wide range of products - from breakfast cereals and yoghurts to savoury snacks and sauces.
How Much Sugar Should We Be Eating? Current UK guidelines recommend limiting “free sugars” — these are the sugars added to foods by manufacturers, plus those found naturally in honey, syrups, fruit juices, and smoothies. Recommended daily limits:
As a guide, 30g is about 7 teaspoons of sugar — and many single snack products can contain more than half of this allowance.
Spotting Hidden Sugars. Sugar can appear under many names on ingredient labels. Look out for:
A quick tip: If sugar appears in the first three ingredients, the product is likely to be high in added sugars.
What Action on Sugar & Salt Is Calling For. Action on Sugar & Salt - a group of medical specialists and public health experts - are campaigning for:
Stronger and clearer food labelling - Labels should accurately reflect a product’s health impact and avoid misleading marketing claims.
Consistent, mandatory front-of-pack nutrition information - So shoppers can quickly see if a product is high in sugar, salt, or fat.
A renewed government strategy to reduce sugar across the food industry - To ensure manufacturers reformulate products and responsibly limit added sugars.
Public health messaging that reflects the latest evidence - Helping consumers make informed choices without navigating confusing marketing tactics.
Their goal is simple: to create a healthier food environment where the default option isn’t the unhealthy one.
How You Can Reduce Your Sugar Intake
Small changes in daily habits can make a significant difference over time.
Listen to this weeks radio report
All material on this website is provided for your information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this information; instead, readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being.
