Children in sugar trap: alarming results in dairy products!

Children in sugar trap: alarming results in dairy products!

A current study by Sipcan has revealed alarming results on the amount of sugar in dairy products for children. In particular, it was researched whether dairy products can be classified as suitable snacks for children. Scientific criteria were determined: a maximum of 11.0 g of sugar and 4.2 g fat per 100 g/ml as well as the absence of artificial sweeteners. The examination referred to 110 products that are specially designed for children.

The results are worrying. As reports ots.at, 21.8 % of the products exceed the recommended sugar content, whereby the average sugar content is 14.9 g per 100 g. As a result, an 8-year-old child consumes almost half of the recommended daily amount to sugar with a portion of 125 g. In addition, 11.8 % of these products contain a large amount of fat, with an average of 7.3 g per 100 g/ml.

inadequate nutritional values

In addition, almost a quarter of the products, more precisely 22.7 %, correspond to the given scientific standards. Despite these unhealthy quantities, it was found that none of the tested products contained sweeteners. Products in particular with a two-chamber system are aimed at children, but are so high in their sugar content that they should be seen as sweets instead of health-promoting snacks.

The Austrian Diabetes Society (ÖDG) and Sipcan ask for industry to reduce the sugar content in children's products based on the results of this study. According to a comprehensive dairy product study that examined 1,229 products in Austria, it can be seen that over 70 % of the tested dairy products contain too much sugar. These results were already published in the Sipcan milk list in 2017, which is available as an online search function to support consumers, to make healthier decisions Oedg.at.

sugar compared to WHO recommendations

An analysis of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) from 2019 notes that sweetened dairy products with a children's look contain an average of 12 g sugar per 100 g. This quantity also exceeds the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), which specifies a maximum of 10 g of sugar per 100 g for dairy products. According to the RKI, high sugar concentrations in foods can contribute significantly to the development of obesity and increase other health risks rki.de.

Consumer recommendations of the Ministry of Health emphasize the daily consumption of two portions of milk drinks or yogurt as well as a portion of cheese. The average milk intake in Austria is 175 g for women and 167 g for men per day. However, consumers have to pay particular attention to the sugar content in products, since 82.7 % of the dairy products contain more than 12 g sugar per 100 g/ml for spoons.

The results of the studies show that a continuing challenge for the food industry is to reduce the sugar content in products that are marketed to children. Experts appeal to the industry to actively participate in the national reduction and innovation strategy for sugar, fats and salt to protect the health of the children.