Sir: I write in response to a report on sugar (‘Action on Sugar claims a quarter of kids’ juice drinks have as much sugar as Coca-Cola’, 11 November, thegrocer.co.uk) about which there has been much media coverage.

First of all, we welcome any interest and contribution to improving children’s health. It’s the very reason I set up Ella’s Kitchen in the first place. However, we do have issues with some conclusions and the way they have been reported. Indeed, we think this is not only misleading to families but unnecessary scaremongering.

We would like to address the claim that sugar is always detrimental to health. Breast milk, for example, the best nutrition for babies, derives 40% of its calories from lactose - a sugar; evolution has ensured it is sweet so babies can get easy calories. It is about balance and perspective, which unfortunately these types of studies, coupled with media reporting, has led to creating a ‘worried well.’

I believe in improving children’s lives through developing healthy relationships with food. This continued sugar debate is not helping. Surely our nation has more important issues to be concerned over than spending all this energy on demonising one nutrient.

Paul Lindley, founder and CEO, Ella’s Kitchen (Brands)

Topics