Two-thirds of everyday supermarket items contain added sweeteners, meaning people trying to limit their sugar intake must navigate some 400 different names and descriptions on food labels.shows hard to identify and confusing names for added sugars are undermining the fight against obesity in Australia, making it impossible for consumers to choose healthier options.
Switching from Carman’s Crunchy Oat Clusters to Jordan’s Low Sugar Granola would cut as much as 28.5 teaspoons per 500 gram box, or about three kilograms of added sugars per year, based on one box every two weeks. Only about 40 per cent of products on sale at supermarkets include labels using the voluntary health star rating system. The top 20 manufacturers have take-up rates of 70 per cent. Snack food manufacturer Smith’s was singled out as a high performer for its more than 96 per cent take up.“These added sugars are in foods you might not expect, like savoury products including sauces and nut butters, as well as the usual culprits like sweets and ice cream and confectionery,” she said.