Festive drinks contain ‘shocking’ amount of sugar

High street coffee chains are failing to reduce the sugar content of their festive drinks, a new survey shows.

The sugar content of some festive drinks contained the same amount of sugar as three cans of Coca Cola.

Furthermore, the survey showed all of the largest sizes surveyed would receive a red traffic light for sugars (>13.5g/portion).

‘It is shocking that so many high street coffee chains are wilfully putting their customers’ health at risk,’ Holly Gabriel, registered nutritionist at Action on Sugar, who carried out the survey, says.

‘That’s despite sugar reduction targets for sugary milk drinks being set in 2018.

‘Responsible coffee shops have shown reformulation is possible within this category.

‘For example, Costa has made some significant reductions in sugar since 2016.

‘It now offers smaller sizes as standard for seasonal drinks.

‘Coffee shops and cafes need to take much greater steps to reduce the levels of sugar and portion sizes, promote lower sugar alternatives and stop pushing indulgent extras at the till.’

Hot chocolates

A Starbucks Signature Caramel was the worst hot chocolate offender, containing 93.7g of sugar in a Venti-sized drink.

Action on Sugar summarised the sugar content of hot chocolates (highest available from each outlet):

Despite their high sugar content, these drinks would not be eligible for the sugar tax.

‘All our drinks can be customised, such as asking for our smallest size; Short, requesting skimmed milk and less or no whipped cream,’ a Starbucks spokesperson told Dentistry.co.uk.

‘To help make it easier for customers to make informed choices, nutritional information is also available in-store, on our mobile app and online.

‘We are committed to reducing sugar in all our beverages.

‘Since 2015, we’ve delivered a 9% reduction in the sugar content of our Gingerbread and core syrup range of vanilla, caramel and hazelnut.’

Festive drinks

Again, Starbucks topped the table for including the most sugar in its seasonal lattes.

The sugar content of festive lattes (highest available from each outlet) includes:

Action on Sugar claims the amount of sugar in Starbucks’ Gingerbread Latte with oat milk is the equivalent of eating 17 custard cream biscuits.

‘It’s vital that whichever government is in power next week fully commits to the target to halve childhood obesity by 2030,’ Graham MacGregor, professor of cardiovascular medicine at Queen Mary University of London and chairman of Action on Sugar, said.

‘This will mean giving full control to PHE to deliver a robust prevention programme.

‘And the authority to ensure that a largely irresponsible food industry fully complies.

‘That must include taxing these sugary milk-based drinks in the same way as soft drinks.’

Sugar content increases

Despite pressure from government to reduce sugar content, 27% of directly comparable products have actually increased.

However, Action on Sugar highlights the work Costa has done to reduce sugar content by over 50% since 2016.

The top three increases and decreases in sugar since 2016 include:

‘It’s clear that restaurants and cafes are not doing enough to make our food and drink healthier,’ Matt Lambert, a nutritionist at World Cancer Research Fund, said.

So it is time for government to step-up and play their part.

‘That means ensuring food and drink consumed out of the home has clear calorie labelling.

‘And reducing the amount of sugar in food and drink in cafes and other food outlets.

‘Consuming too much sugar contributes to weight-gain.

‘Being overweight or obese increases the risk of at least 12 different types of cancer.

‘With 64% of adults in England being overweight or obese, suddenly, these festive drinks don’t seem so jolly anymore.’