Children's Drinks Are Completely Over-Sugared: "Kracherl Tax" Demanded

Foodwatch Austria examined 112 "children's drinks" from supermarkets, drugstores, and discount stores for their sugar content. The testers rate the result as "more than worrying": "The majority of drinks marketed as 'child-friendly' are completely over-sugared," it was said on Tuesday. According to this, 79 percent of the drinks contain more than five grams of sugar per 100 milliliters, and in 45 percent, it is even at least eight grams.

Eight out of ten "children's drinks" are over-sugared according to Foodwatch

An average "children's drink" contains 24 grams of sugar per package - equivalent to more than six sugar cubes, the experts criticized. "Drink pouches and bubble teas exceed the entire recommended daily dose for children by more than three times with up to 60 grams of sugar per package. Even fruit juices, often advertised as healthy, in many cases contain even more sugar than sodas."

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that less than five percent of daily energy intake in children should come from sugar. For four to seven-year-olds, this is 19 grams per day. This value is often far exceeded with the consumption of just one of the examined "children's drinks." Products with "healthy" advertising promises such as added vitamins often turn out to be the biggest sugar traps, according to Foodwatch.

No current data on children's sugar consumption

In Austria, a solid data basis is lacking, criticized the organization. The last survey on children's sugar consumption dates back to 2012. There are no reliable figures on the current situation.

High sugar consumption in childhood is associated with many health risks, and the risk of overweight and obesity increases significantly, it was warned. In Austria, 34 percent of boys and 26 percent of girls of primary school age are already overweight, with 16 percent of boys and eight percent of girls considered obese.

Foodwatch for "soda tax" and age limit for energy drinks

As countermeasures, Foodwatch calls for a "soda tax," a ban on advertising unhealthy foods to children, mandatory Nutri-Score labeling, and an age limit for energy drinks. "Our market study has shown: Even with children's drinks, the industry continues to prioritize profit over health. Therefore, politics must finally take responsibility," said Miriam Maurer of Foodwatch Austria.

(APA/Red)

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