How many teaspoons of sugar in that food

FOOD labels could soon have to display the number of teaspoons of sugar in the product as food regulators muscle up to tackle the nation’s growing obesity epidemic.

With more than two in three Australians overweight or obese, a report requested by Australian and New Zealand food ministers says consumers are confused and need help understanding sugar levels.

It reveals most Australians are eating well in excess of the recommended 12 teaspoons of sugar a day for adults.

Teenage boys are the worst offenders, consuming 38 teaspoons of sugar a day, or a quarter of their calorie intake.

Public Health Association chief Terry Slevin says there is confusion because there are more than 42 different sugar foods manufacturers can list.

The report proposes six options, including using a picture of a teaspoon or sugar cube on labels to indicate how much sugar is in each serve.

Another option would include using a symbol like a stop sign or exclamation mark accompanied with text such as “high in added sugars”.

Clearly quantifying sugar in the nutritional information panel on the back of products and clearer identification of sugars in the ingredients list are other options.

Food companies can include information on labels stating what percentage of the average daily allowance of sugar is in the food but the measurement used is based on an outdated 2003 Australian Dietary Guidelines that allowed 17.5 per cent of energy to come from sugar.

Our current food guidelines do not use a percentage but call for sugar intake to be limited.

The World Health Organisation say people should consume less than 12 teaspoons of sugar a day.

Mr Slevin says clear labelling would help people make better choices.