The report estimates that 98 per cent of hot flavoured drinks sold by high street coffee shops would receive a red rating for excessive levels of sugars per serving and that 35 per cent of these drinks contained the same amount or more sugar than a can of Coca Cola.
Keith Vaz said:
“This report supports the need for tougher action on sugar across the food and drink industry. Its findings are deeply disturbing and I am shocked to see the quantities of sugar in popular hot drinks served on our high street.
I find it ludicrous that a ‘fruity’ hot beverage offered by a High Street coffee chain can contain more than three times the maximum daily adult intake of sugar, the equivalent of 25 teaspoons.
The only solution is legally binding targets to reduce the amount of sugar in these drinks and clear labelling which will give the public the opportunity to choose what to drink. If we don't act now the obesity and diabetes epidemic will only get worse.”