98% of hot flavoured drinks sold by the major coffee shops in the UK would carry a ‘red’ warning for excessive sugar if the chains were forced to label them, says Action on Sugar.
The campaign group says that some flavoured drinks contain over 20 teaspoons of sugar (Starbuck’s Mulled Fruit coming in at 25 teaspoons, and Costa’s Chai Latte notching up 20 teaspoons).
More than one-third of the drinks tested Action on Sugar were found to contain the same – or higher – levels of sugar as a can of Coca-Cola.
Kawther Hashem, registered nutritionist and researcher for Action on Sugar, said these hot flavoured drinks had to become an occasional treat, rather than an everyday purchase.
“They are laden with an unbelievable amount of sugar and calories and are often accompanied by a high sugar and fat snack. It is not surprising that we have the highest rate of obesity in Europe.”
