A petition calling for the government to limit the sugar content in single-serving food and drink items has been launched by a dental professional.

Timothy Ives, from Oakham in the East Midlands, launched the campaign after witnessing the “harmful impacts of significant sugar consumption in our modern diets.”

As a researcher and dental hygienist, he has observed the effects that sugar can have on not only oral health but also general health.

Tim said to LincsOnline, “Most of what’s killing us these days is related to sugar, and we’re consuming more and more.

“There’s a two per cent increase in sugar sales every year, and it’s really scary. There are other people out there who are trying to do something about it, but you’re fighting the world. Everybody thinks it’s a bit of a joke.”

In September 2024, he posted a petition to Change.org calling for companies to limit the sugar content in single-serving food and drinks to less than the NHS daily recommended maximum.

Tim cited NHS data from 2019, which showed, “adult obesity rates in the UK have increased from 15% in 1993 to 27% in 2019”. He attributes this rise to “high sugar intake”.

“Eight per cent of the UK population are diabetics,” he said. “The obesity rates are skyrocketing. In the 1950s, there was no obesity. The word didn’t exist.”

Tim hopes that his petition will lead to a collective improvement of the nation’s health, the avoidance of preventable conditions, and help to “stem the alarming rise in obesity and diabetes rates.”

For more information visit www.change.org/p/mandate-sugar-limits-in-single-serving-food-and-drink-items

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