Bev Council slams WHO sugar guidelines

The World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) recommendation to reduce daily sugar intake to less than 5% is “unsubstantiated and unsustainable”, according to the Australian Beverages Council.

“With a public health challenge as serious and complex as obesity, we must ensure that policy decisions focused on public health are based on the best scientific evidence, which this recommendation is not,” said Geoff Parker, the council’s CEO.

When combined with regular physical activity, sugar-sweetened foods and beverages have a place in a balanced diet, the council claims. It says the guidelines fail to take into account expert advice that views obesity as a ‘calories in, calories out’ issue.

The council said the food and beverage industry has taken steps to provide consumers with more information and has increased low-calorie options by reformulating products to offer low- and no-sugar varieties. It has also voluntarily displayed kilojoule information on the front of labels and restricted sales of regular-kilojoule soft drinks in schools.

“As an industry we are taking significant action through innovation, reformulation and other initiatives to adapt to Australians’ changing lifestyles,” said Parker.

“Whether it is new packaging, new product sizes or the introduction of additional low- or no-kilojoule options, we are consistently working to provide products that allow consumers to make choices that are right for them and their families.”