UK coffee chains criticised over sugar-laden products

Cakes and muffins on sale at popular UK coffee chains are loaded with sugar, according to an analysis by a health campaign group.

A 172g lemon drizzle product from Pret a Manger contains 18 teaspoons of sugar a slice, found the report by Action on Sugar. That is three times a child’s daily recommended maximum sugar intake and more sugar than six Krispy Kreme glazed sugar doughnuts, the group said in its survey of nearly 70 lemon, carrot and blueberry muffins and cakes on sale in coffee shops and supermarkets.

The next worst offender was Starbucks’ Christmas carrot cake with 15 teaspoons of sugar a serving – more sugar than five Krispy Kremes – followed by Pret a Manger’s double berry muffins with 10. A teaspoon of sugar is equal to about 4g.

Between similar products at different coffee chains, there was sometimes a big difference in sugar and calorie content, the survey noted. A Caffé Nero lemon poppyseed muffin, with eight teaspoons a serving, contains three less than the same choice at Starbucks.

Action on Sugar collected data for supermarket and coffee shop products where nutritional information was available per 100g or per portion. Across each of the three cake varieties supermarkets offered healthier options compared with those sold in cafes – demonstrating that manufacturers can make cakes with less calories and sugar, partly through smaller portion sizes.

Many consumers are buying cakes and muffins to enjoy with a hot beverage unaware of the sugar and calories they are consuming in one sitting, claimed the nutritionist Jenny Rosborough, the campaign manager at Action on Sugar.

“Everyone should be able to enjoy cake, but there is no need for just one slice to exceed an adult’s maximum daily recommendation of sugar by almost three times,” she said. “Cakes, biscuits and puddings should be an occasional food but people are consuming these products regularly without realising the amount of energy required to burn off this many calories.”

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According to NHS guidelines, for a child aged seven to 10 the maximum daily allowance of sugar is 24g – equivalent to six teaspoons. Action on Sugar is urging food manufacturers and cafes to take part in Public Health England’s voluntary sugar reduction programme to help tackle obesity and type 2 diabetes.

A Pret a Manger spokesperson said its large-style lemon drizzle portion was on trial in a handful of its regional shops: “The trial ends next week and the cake slices will no longer be available. We will revert back to only selling smaller, individual cake portions, instead of these larger slices. The calorie information for our cakes continues to be displayed in shops, and the full nutritional information is available on our website,” the spokesperson said.

Sara Bruce-Goodwin, vice-president of research and development, quality and regulatory at Starbucks, said: “We are committed to working towards Public Health England’s sugar reduction targets by 2020, as part of our overall health and wellness commitments.

“We also offer our customers a wide choice in our bakery range. Our skinny blueberry muffin has 30% less calories compared to our classic blueberry muffin and is returning to stores in January 2017. We are working on a reduced-calorie and sugar carrot cake recipe, with plans to launch around spring next year.”

Alison Tedstone, the chief nutritionist at Public Health England, said she was aware some cakes and muffins contained more sugar and were sold in larger portions than others. “That’s why we want those making and selling cakes to look at where they can reduce sugar and address portion sizes,” said Tedstone.

“If every part of the food and drink industry worked to reduce sugar, we’d stand a better chance of helping families make healthier choices and consume less.”