Data from Queen Mary University of London has been released on the high levels of sugar and calories in popular sweet snacks to mark Sugar Awareness Week from November 18 to 24, 2024.

As cakes, chocolate confectionery, and biscuits remain major contributors to high sugar intake among children, Action on Sugar has urged the government to extend the successful mandatory Soft Drinks Industry Levy to include these and other high-sugar foods.

The charity said the revenue from this expanded levy could then fund initiatives to improve children’s health.

Sugary statistics

A survey of individually packaged or portioned sweet snacks has revealed that a typical combination – such as a cake, a chocolate bar, and one or two biscuits consumed over a day – can pack an astounding 1326 calories and 92.5 grams of sugar. This amount is three times the recommended daily sugar limit for children aged 11 and above.

The data also highlighted that 61 per cent of cakes, 63 per cent of chocolate confectionery and 44 per cent of biscuits surveyed equal or exceed one-third (10g) of the daily sugar limit for children aged 11+ per serving.

Kawther Hashem, head of research and impact at Action on Sugar, said, “The truth is, sugary foods are almost inescapable for most children – they’re readily available in schools and often the easiest choice on the way home. We’re simply not doing enough to support children in keeping their sugar intake within recommended guidelines. We have a duty to every child to make school a sanctuary from unnecessary sugar, so they can grow up healthier, stronger, and free from the risks of diet-related disease.”

The charity said the current School Food Standards may drive children to exceed their daily sugar limits by allowing cakes and biscuits at lunchtime. Action on Sugar has called for a ban on such sugary foods that result in children exceeding their maximum daily sugar limit at school, alongside creating healthier local food environments around schools to help young people eat better.

Although lower-calorie and lower-sugar options are available, the charity has said there are concerns about how effectively our current food environment promotes these lower-sugar options.

The findings highlighted the urgent need for decisive government action to reduce excessive sugar consumption among young people, said Action on Sugar.

The government’s voluntary Sugar Reduction Program aimed to reduce sugar by 20 per cent in key product categories by 2020. The programme has fallen short of its target, said the charity. It achieved minimal reductions in categories like cakes (-3.2 per cent), biscuits (-3.1 per cent), and chocolate confectionery (-0.9 per cent) – a stark contrast to the 20 per cent reduction needed to make a meaningful impact on children’s health.

In comparison, the government’s mandatory Soft Drinks Industry Levy achieved a 34.3 per cent reduction in sugar content.

The government’s 2020 sugar reduction progress report showed that, despite minimal average reductions in sugar content within chocolate confectionery, the sales of sugar from these products increased by a staggering 26.9 per cent between 2015 and 2020.

Graham MacGregor, chair of Action on Sugar, said, “Whilst the previous government’s Sugar Reduction Programme failed due to a lack of meaningful enforcement, the Soft Drinks Industry Levy proved that targeted, well-orchestrated action works. This government has a unique opportunity to prioritise the health of the nation by implementing a clear, straightforward approach across the food and drink industry which could save the NHS billions and save many thousands of lives.”

Despite commitments in the government’s 2016 to 2018 childhood obesity plan to update the School Food Standards in line with the revised sugar guidelines, this update has yet to be implemented. Research has revealed secondary schools in England are not fully complying with the School Food Standards, likely due to lack of external monitoring and funding.

The charity has said the Department for Education must revise the School Food Standards and ensure schools, including academies, are complying by providing support.

References available on request.

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