A UK health group has stated that breakfast cereals and yoghurts containing high amounts of sugar should remove any packaging that appeals to children.
According to LBC, the scientific research group – named Action on Sugar – is now calling for the removal of such packaging on products graded as high or medium for sugars, salt or saturated fat, based on the Department for Health’s nutrition guidelines.
Research by the group, based at Queen Mary University of London, revealed that 47% of cereals and 65% of yogurts contained a third of the maximum sugar recommendation for a four to six-year-old per 100g.
Of these, products by supermarket chains Lidl, Aldi and Nestle had the highest average sugar levels with packaging targeted at children.
The packaging also includes cartoon characters, animations and colours intentionally designed to attract the attention of a child. By contrast, healthier products tend to be sold in more plain packaging targeted towards adults.
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Campaign lead at Action on Sugar, Dr Kawther Hashem told LBC: “It’s ludicrous that whilst breakfast cereals and yogurts celebrate the largest reductions in sugars during the Sugar Reduction Programme, those same products with child-appealing packaging still have excessive amounts of sugars, unsuitable for regular intake by children.
“Given the soaring numbers of under-18s suffering weight-related health problems and tooth decay being the leading cause of child hospitalisation, now is the time for companies to be forced to remove child-appealing packaging from products that are misleading parents and making our children unhealthy and sick.”
A spokesperson for Nestle said: “We are committed to developing food and drink products that are tasty, nutritious and more sustainable.
“Since 2003, Nestle Cereals embarked on a significant and consistent work of reformulation meaning 84% of the portfolio is now classed as not high in fat, salt and sugar (non-HFSS) according to the UK Government’s nutrient profiling model.
“That is 18 products within our cereal portfolio in the UK that are non-HFSS and contain no red traffic lights. Our yoghurt portfolio has also made significant steps in reformulation and has seen a reduction of 20% of sugar across our products.”
Aldi added that it was “committed to reducing sugar in key areas that lead to children’s sugar intake as part of its work to tackle obesity among children.”
Earlier this year, UK supermarkets were condemned by food experts and campaigners for failing to tackle sugar levels and further encouraging sugar consumption.
