Sugar on the high street

The Government’s war on sugar is gaining pace as the threat and implications of the so called sugar tax start to become clear. A large number of high street favourites are already hitting the news headlines for changing the recipes of their favourite products. Paradoxically for a good news item some of the brands, such as Iron Brew are receiving a backlash from the public over changes to their favourite brands from loyal consumers who don’t want things to change. An online campaign by those who love the original flavour and recipe of Iron Brew has already attracted in excess of 50,000 signatures calling for a rethink by the brands owners after they announced they would be removing over 40 percent of the sugar content of the drink.

Elsewhere on the high street McDonalds, Greggs and Costa Coffee are all promising to reduce the amount of sugars, both visible and hidden in their products. A large number of firms have now signed up to a new code of practice that calls for a reduction of at least 20 percent sugar content by the year 2020. This may well see the replacement of favourites like Ice Cream with healthier options such as Yoghurts as well as smaller portion sizes.

Other companies that have signed up to the Childhood Obesity Plan from Public Health England include Whitbread Restaurants, Wetherspoons, Starbucks, Pizza Hut Delivery, Premier Inn and Caffe Nero. As part of the program menus will offer more ranges of fruit and vegetables in preference to sugary products.

A spokesman said, “These pledges will positively benefit the millions of customers we welcome into our stores and restaurants every day, to help make a significant collective impact.”