Response to recommendation to reduce sugar consumption

In response to the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition’s report published today recommending sugar consumption is reduced to 5% of daily diet, Professor Nigel Hunt, Dean, Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons said:

“We agree with the report’s radical aim to lower sugar consumption to 5% of a daily diet to improve oral health. For children this means substituting sugar based fruit juice for sugar free alternatives.

“The report shows that children under 10 years old are currently consuming nearly three times the new recommended amount. This is having a detrimental impact on the state of children’s teeth as tooth decay continues to be the main reason 5-9 year olds are admitted to hospital despite this being nearly entirely preventable.

“The successful impact of the salt reduction programme now needs to happen with sugar. We urgently need government action, including a national oral health campaign that raises awareness of simple steps parents and children can take to reduce sugar consumption and improve both oral and physical health.”

Read the full SACN report here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sacn-carbohydrates-and-health-report