High street giants vow to cut sugar levels by 20%

‘Changing the recipes’

HIGH street chains including Costa, McDonald’s and Greggs are promising to cut the amount of sugar in their products.

The firms have signed up to a code of practice including a pledge to cut sugar in their food and drinks by 20 per cent by 2020. This will mean a change to the recipes of many products and the addition of lowsugar items to menus.

Options include replacing ice cream with frozen yoghurt and introducing smaller portions.

The move is designed to meet targets set by watchdogs at Public Health England as part of the Childhood Obesity Plan.

The signatories to the new code of practice also include Caffe Nero, pub and restaurant operator Mitchells & Butlers, Pizza Hut Delivery, Premier Inn, Starbucks, Wetherspoons and Whitbread Restaurants.

These are some of the biggest names on the high street — however a number of major brands, including the likes of KFC and Burger King, are not part of the initiative and will take measures of their own.

The code, drawn up by a working group from all the participating companies, includes a series of commitments around cutting sugar and responsible marketing to children.

There will also be more promotion of fruit and vegetables.

This code has been reviewed by the British Nutrition Foundation, an independent expert body which will also advise the alliance on its progress.

An alliance spokesman said: ‘These pledges will positively benefit the millions of customers we welcome into our stores and restaurants every day, to help make a significant collective impact.’