The Oral Health Foundation is supporting calls for food manufacturers to follow the success of their salt reduction programme by setting sugar targets for different categories of food and drink with immediate effect.

The new report from Action on Sugar shows that some breakfast cereals in the UK have dangerously high levels of sugar, particularly some breakfast cereals marketed towards children.

It shows a typical serving (30g) of some contain a third of a four to six year old’s maximum daily recommended intake (five teaspoons of sugar) for sugar.

The Oral Health Foundation says the move will help to reduce sugar consumption, preventing tooth decay, as well as obesity and type 2 diabetes.

 Dr Nigel Carter OBE, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation, stated that “far too many people are starting their day with a huge dose of sugar which is putting their health at major risk. Many will be unaware of the dangerous levels of sugar in some of these breakfast cereals and the manufacturers have a responsibility to alter their products to protect consumers from harm.”

“Reformulation is key to change here,” Dr Carted noted. “There has been huge progress made with the salt reduction programme in the UK, we believe a significant reduction in sugar can be achieved in a similar way.”

Tooth decay occurs when the enamel and dentine of a tooth become softened by acid attack after you have eaten or drunk anything containing sugars. Over time, the acid causes a cavity, which often leads to the tooth needing to be filled or even taken out.

“I urge everybody to try and be aware of how much sugar is in their breakfast, as well as other foods and drinks including fruit juices, and the impact that it has on their oral health,” Dr Carter added.

“There are many healthy alternatives to sugar filled breakfast cereals which are kind to your oral health, you may wish to opt for eggs, toast, sugar-free cereals, porridge or fresh fruit as an alternative.”