Many high street coffee chains are failing to make progress towards the government’s voluntary sugar reduction targets when it comes to their festive hot beverages, according to a new nationwide survey by Action on Sugar, based at Queen Mary University of London.
The survey analysed both the sugar and calorie content of the largest available sizes of hot chocolates and seasonal lattes made with milk and milk alternatives by popular high street chains. It found that certain seasonal beverages contain almost as much sugar as three cans of Coca Cola. Furthermore, all of the largest available size products surveyed would receive a red traffic light for total sugars (>13.5 g/portion), with the exception being Costa’s Gingerbread Lattes made either with milk, soya or almond milk.
According to the survey findings, the worst hot chocolate ‘offender’ is Starbucks Signature Caramel Hot Chocolate with whipped cream, using oat milk (Venti), which contains a staggering 23 teaspoons (93.7 g) of sugar in one drink, and a whopping 758 calories - the same as eating four white chocolate and strawberry muffins.
In comparison, Leon Hot Chocolate (regular) has just over four teaspoons of sugar (17 g) and 257 calories, demonstrating that lower sugar drinks can be made and enjoyed.
The worst sugary seasonal latte is Starbucks Gingerbread Latte with Oat Milk (Venti) with over 14 teaspoons of sugar and 523 calories per portion.
Since the organisation’s 2016 survey, more than one in four (27%) directly comparable products had seen no decrease in sugar and had in fact increased.
Action on Sugar is now urging the government to ensure that the mandatory soft drinks industry levy will be extended to both sugary milk and milk alternative-based drinks and for the food industry to immediately use milks and syrups with no added sugar.
