Pre-mixed spirits and cocktails high in sugar and calories
Action on Sugar highlighted this week that pre-mixed spirits and cocktails: can contain up to 9 teaspoons of sugar in a single 250ml can, have been exempt from the Soft Drinks Industry Levy, and nine out of 10 of them have no on-pack nutritional information.
Action on Sugar highlighted this week that pre-mixed spirits and cocktails:
- Can contain up to 9 teaspoons of sugar in a single 250ml can
- Have been exempt from the Soft Drinks Industry Levy
- Nine out of 10 of them have no on-pack nutritional information
They surveyed 202 “ready to drink” alcoholic beverages available in-store and online. Independent lab analysis was required by Action on Sugar to reveal the sugar and calorie contents of these products as only 41% of these products had some form of nutrition information on pack and only 9% had ‘sugar’ information on pack.
Experts warn that sugary alcoholic drinks can contribute to obesity, type 2 diabetes, liver damage and tooth decay as people are unknowingly drinking large amounts of sugar and calories.
WHO recommends1 that no more than 5% of your total energy should come from free sugars.
References
1” Guideline: Sugars intake for adults and children” World Health Organisation (WHO) 2015
