Halve sugar intake to 5% of daily calories, says advisory group

People’s daily consumption of added sugar should be halved so that it makes up around 5% of the average dietary energy intake, a government advisory group has recommended.

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition said that a reduction from the current recommended level of 10% was necessary to curb obesity. It also recommended that children and adults should “minimise” their consumption of sugar sweetened beverages because of an association with type 2 diabetes.

The committee said that no change was needed to the current recommendation that 50% of the average energy intake should come from carbohydrates, but it recommended proportionate increases in the daily fibre intake for adults and children. It published a 360 page draft report on 26 June for consultation after its review of evidence on carbohydrates and health.1 Public Health England issued a report on how it planned to respond.2

Ian Macdonald, the advisory group’s chairman, said that the review showed “clear evidence” that high added sugar or “free sugar” intake in adults was associated with increased energy intake and an increased risk of obesity. He said …