The FGDP(UK), the professional body for primary care dentists, has supported Action on Sugar’s campaign to reduce sugar levels in the UK to less than 5 per cent of total energy intake by working with food manufacturers and suppliers. This echoes advice given to the English Government by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) in its June 2014 draft report on carbohydrates and health. The Faculty has also helped to inform Public Health England’s plans to reduce dietary sugar.
Paul Batchelor, Vice Dean Elect of the FGDP(UK) and an Advisor in Dental Public Health, says, “This is a positive step by a major food supplier in efforts to deal with the growing problem of obesity and dental caries in the UK population. Tooth decay remains a significant health concern in the UK and it is imperative that we work to achieve consensus on dietary sugar reduction. The plans announced by Tesco today, together with similar initiatives from other supermarkets, mark a step towards helping to reduce morbidity and the burden of disease in the UK. We encourage all producers to act together in bringing about the urgent changes needed in the formulation of food and drink, and we would expect to see further initiatives after the SACN publish its final recommendations later this year.”