Fears about sugar have spread much wider among consumers than soft drinks, a summit of leading suppliers will be told next week.
While 81% of people are concerned about the amount of sugar in fizzy drinks like cola, a raft of other areas are in the firing line, according to a survey of 3,000 consumers ahead of The Sugar Summit in Manchester on Wednesday.
The summit will see several food companies from the dairy, bakery and drinks industry meet to discuss the war on sugar. The research for organiser Agent found more than 70% of consumers have concerns over sugar levels in cordial, 69% are concerned about cereals, 40% about bread, and 23% about sugar in fruit.
Over a third (35%) are concerned by levels in alcohol, a figure higher (40%) among 18 to 24-year-olds.
“There has been a sugar awakening,” said Lynne Barcoe, partner at Agent and founder of MumPanel Research. “More people are concerned about sugar in their diets than other factors. And perceived awareness is growing. Seven out of 10 people are more aware of sugar content in food and drink over the last 12 months.”
The findings come as FDF director general Ian Wright warned suppliers this week that the industry could be torn apart by the “lies” of the health lobby, if it allows itself to become disunited in the war on sugar. Speaking at the Federation’s annual awards ceremony in London, the new director general said no sector should regard itself as safe from attack. “There is a debate about to ensue, perhaps already started, on the place of individual parts of the industry,” said Wright.
“I would encourage you all as to view an attack on one as an attack on the many.”
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