Sugar off the menu

SIR – While Public Health England’s progress report on the Government’s sugar reduction programme is welcome (report, May 23), it’s clear that much more must be done – particularly on biscuits, chocolate confectionery, puddings and the large portions of high-sugar products sold in the out-of-home sector. It’s unfair and ridiculous that these products are not being reformulated to the same extent as fizzy drinks.

Chocolate and sweet confectionery collectively provide 10 per cent of the total sugar in the diets of children (those between four and 10 years old) and 11 per cent in the diets of teenagers (11-18 years old). Chocolate sweets are also among the highest contributors to saturated fat intake, providing 5 per cent of total intake in children’s diets and 7 per cent in teenagers.

The Government must now set a mandatory minimum 20 per cent tax on sweet and chocolate confectionery produced by manufacturers, retailers, cafés and restaurants.

Theresa May could lead the world in tackling obesity and Type 2 diabetes. She must put the nation’s health first. Professor Graham Macgregor

Chairman, Action on Sugar/action on Salt, Queen Mary University of London London EC1