Action on Sugar demands school lunch reforms, targeting sweet snacks

Action on Sugar at Queen Mary University of London has raised the alarm over the ‘excessive’ sugar content in children’s school lunches, spotlighting the contribution of cakes, biscuits and chocolates to their daily sugar intake.

Recent findings by the watchdog reveal these treats – which are available on the current school lunch system – make it nearly impossible for youngsters to stay within recommended sugar limits.

According to Action on Sugar’s latest analysis, a typical school meal featuring a slice of cake could account for one-third of a child’s daily recommended limit of sugar. Combined with a chocolate bar after school and a couple of biscuits at home, their sugar intake could soar to three times the recommended maximum for children aged 11+.

“It’s shocking how much sugar children are consuming from school meals,” contends Dr Kawther Hashem, head of Research and Impact at Action on Sugar.

“Even one slice of cake at lunch can push them closer to their daily limit, leaving no room for other foods containing natural sugars. We must take action now to protect their health.”

The challenge for bakers

To mark Sugar Awareness Week, the health watchdog analysed the success of the UK government’s Sugar Reduction Programme – which aimed for a 20% reduction in sugar content across major product categories by 2020.

It found the voluntary initiative achieved only minimal reductions in sugar levels: 3.2% for cakes, 3.1% for biscuits and 0.9% for chocolate confectionery. Meanwhile, it found, sugar sales from these products increased by 26.9% between 2015 and 2020.

“If sugar in these snacks were reduced by 20%, they would still be sweet, but children would consume nearly 20 grams less sugar,” contends Action on Sugar nutritionist Nourhan Barakat.

“It’s time food companies prioritise children’s health and cut sugar in everyday snacks.”

However, as any baker knows, reducing sugar in baked goods presents unique challenges. Cakes and biscuits rely on sugar for more than just sweetness: it plays a role in texture, structure and shelf life. Bakers face the difficult task of creating products that meet both taste and nutritional expectations.

Calls for reform

The health watchdog has suggested three major alternations to stop the sugar flood in children’s diets.

Firstly, it’s calling for an overhaul of the School Food Standards.

Currently, this allows cakes and biscuits to be served at lunch, potentially pushing children beyond their daily sugar limit while at school. Despite commitments in the government’s 2016-2018 childhood obesity plan to update the School Food Standards in line with revised sugar guidelines, no changes have been implemented. In fact, research shows secondary schools in England are not fully complying with the School Food Standards, largely due to insufficient monitoring and funding.

“The truth is, sugary foods are almost inescapable for most children – they’re readily available in schools and often the easiest choice on the way home,” said Dr Kawther Hashem, head of Research and Impact for Action on Sugar.

“We’re simply not doing enough to support children in keeping their sugar intake within recommended guidelines. Schools should be sanctuaries from unnecessary sugar, enabling children to grow up healthier and free from diet-related diseases.”

Secondly, Action on Sugar is calling on a total ban on serving sugary foods that would result in kids exceeding their maximum daily limit at school, while ramping up healthier food environments to help young people eat better.

Furthermore, citing the success of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy as proof that mandatory measures work, it’s calling for an extension of the sugar tax across cakes, chocolate confectionery and biscuits,​​ along with other high-sugar treats. Since its introduction, the SDIL has led to a 34.3% reduction in sugar content in sugary drinks, a stark contrast to the minimal reductions achieved under the government’s voluntary Sugar Reduction Programme.

The watchdog proposes the revenue from this expanded levy could then fund initiatives aimed at improving children’s health.

“The previous Sugar Reduction Programme failed because it lacked meaningful enforcement,” emphasises Prof Graham MacGregor, Action on Sugar chair.

“The Soft Drinks Industry Levy showed us that targeted, well-orchestrated action works.

“This new government now has a unique opportunity to prioritise the health of the nation by implementing a clear, straightforward approach across the food and drink industry, which could save the NHS billions and save many thousands of lives.”

Fingering bakery and coffee shop chains

Earlier this month, Action on Sugar targeted 12 of the UK’s largest bakery and coffee shop chains, noting a third of them were serving up goodies that exceeded an adult’s daily limit of 30g of sugar in just one serving.

Analysis by the campaign group found the food/drink combo with the highest sugar content was a Thick Shake Toffee Apple Crumble and a Salted Caramel Fude Cake from Coffee Republic: with 157g of sugar (equivalent to 39 tsp). Other chains targeted by the health watchdog included Caffe Nero, Greggs, Pret A Manger, Coffee #1, Costa, Muffin Break, Starbucks and Soho Coffee Co, among others.

Again, it called on the government to extend the SDIL to cover all juice and milk-based drinks, as well as to introduce new levies targeting the high sugar content in sweet foods.