Parents are struggling to find healthy products for children on the shelves despite the government’s war on sugar, according to a new survey by Netmums and campaign group Sugarwise.
The survey claimed 80% of parents regularly looked for low or no-sugar products for their families, but 30% were unable to find these products in store.
Lunchbox snacks emerged as the most difficult area, with 38% of parents complaining they had trouble finding low-sugar options in supermarkets.
Next in line were low-sugar breakfast cereals and pasta sauces, cited as difficult to find by 17% of parents. Meanwhile, 15% had trouble locating low or no-sugar desserts and 12% were unable to find healthy baking ingredients.
Yet the survey also presented an opportunity for suppliers, as a quarter of parents said they would be willing to spend more on low-sugar foods if they were available. And 40% agreed they would be happy to pay more for healthy options as long as the products tasted good.
Netmums editor in chief Anne-Marie O’Leary said: “Childhood obesity is a national concern and Netmums users are increasingly worried about the levels of sugar consumption by children. Yet, our survey shows despite consumer demand for more low-sugar formulations and the willingness to pay more if needed for low-sugar options, retailers are failing to make these products available on shelf.”
Rend Platings, CEO and founder of Sugarwise, added: “It’s no surprise consumption is so high when mums, and other shoppers, struggle to find lower sugar products on supermarket shelves.”
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