Cut sugar scheme flops
JUNK food firms have cut sugar by just 2% – less than half the amount demanded by the Government.
The sugar reduction scheme was announced in August 2016. It challenged retailers, manufacturers, restaurants, cafes and pub chains to slash 20% of sugar from products by 2020 – with 5% to be achieved by the end of the first year. But a one-year assessment, published by Public Health England yesterday, shows that out of the top 20 brands only a third showed any drop – and 12% showed a rise. Steve Brine, Minister for Public Health, said: “We’ve not ruled out taking further action.” The Obesity Health Alliance called it “disappointing across the board”.