Too much sugar in children’s fruit drinks, says researchers

Researchers from the University of Liverpool and campaign group Action on Sugar have warned that the amount of sugar in fruit juices and smoothies targeted at children is ‘unacceptably high’.

They found an average of five teaspoons of sugar per 150ml serving in the 24 smoothies they surveyed close to the daily limit of a young child. The research, published in the journal BMJ Open, argued that such drinks should no longer be advertised as one of the UK government’s five-a-day.

Current NHS guidelines maintain that a 150ml serving of fruit juice or smoothie can count towards one of the five fruit and vegetables people are recommended to consume each day. Parents are also advised that children between four and six should not have more than 19g of sugar per day while children between seven and 10 should consume a maximum of 24g.

The study involved examining the way that certain fruit juices and smoothies were sold at seven UK supermarkets between July and August 2014 and how they were targeted at children. Of 203 drinks analysed, sugar content ranged between zero and 16g. 158 fruit drinks had an average sugar content of 5.6g, while 21 fruit juices had an average of 10.7g and 24 smoothies and an average sugar content 13g.

Commenting on the research Dr Louis Levy, at Public Health England (PHE), said: "We know that juice and smoothies are high in sugar, which is why PHE recommends limiting them to a combined total of 150ml glass per day, to be drunk with a meal to protect your teeth.

"However they also provide some fibre, vitamins and minerals so count towards one of your five a day. The other recommendations for individuals in this paper support current government advice."

Meanwhile, Gavin Partington, of the British Soft Drinks Association, said: "Only last week PHE confirmed that 150ml of fruit juice or fruit juice smoothies can contribute to the five-a-day target.

"Very few people reach their five-a-day target, and given the positive contribution it has to the diet, it is counterintuitive to suggest that 100 per cent pure juice should not contribute to it."