While the drinks are said to have health benefits, some brands contain more than a day’s recommended intake of sugar in a single 300ml serving.
The Local Government Association, which represents councils that are responsible for public health, accused soft drink firms of ‘dragging their heels’ when it comes to minimising sugar in their products. It said children under the age of ten get almost a fifth of their sugar intake from soft drinks.
In a survey, the organisation found that some cans of fizzy drinks contain almost twice the recommended daily sugar limit for adults.
Even some fruit juices contain more than a single day’s limit in a single serving – surpassing a can of Coca-Cola.
Ocean Spray Cranberry Classic juice drink was found to have 11g of sugar per 100ml, while PomeGreat ‘Super Juice’ had 12.1g.
Cranberry juice is frequently promoted as a health product which is said to ward off urinary tract infections. And pomegranate juice has been linked to resistance to prostate cancer and heart disease.
The LGA is calling for a fifth of the VAT raised on sugary drinks, sweets and takeaway food to go to councils to pay for public health schemes.