Mid-term review shows significant reduction in average sugars from 2015-17
20 June 2019, Brussels: UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe has announced that it is on track to meet its voluntary commitment to reduce added sugars by 10% i by 2020. A mid-term evaluation - conducted by third party auditors Global Data – found that the average sugars in European soft drinks has been reduced by 11.9 % ii from 2015-2017.
The soft drinks industry is the only sector to have officially committed to the EU’s 10% added sugar reduction target by 2020 as laid out in its sugar reduction annex.iii The industry has now delivered on that pledge – accelerating the pace of its ongoing sugar/kcal reduction in soft drinks available to more than 500 million people across the EU.
Significant reductions in calories and sugar have been achieved across the sector’s beverages since 2000. In delivering this latest reduction a comprehensive strategy was pursued of: changing recipes to reduce sugar in its drinks; innovating to develop new products with different sweetness levels; increasing the availability of small packs to support portion control and moderation; and promoting no- and low-sugar/calorie beverages to encourage consumer behaviour.
“As an industry, our intention has always been to remain ahead of both changing consumer tastes and evolving expectations. We recognise that many people across Europe are looking to reduce the sugar they consume – including in soft drinks – and we are focused on playing our part in helping create a healthier food environment. This latest milestone marks the positive progress and innovation underway, as well as our continued ambition to be a leading private-sector partner for the European Union that delivers on the commitments it makes,” said Tim Brett, president, UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe.
The commitment made by UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe at a pan-European level has prompted several similar pledges at national level around Europe, with many involving public-private partnerships. Since this 10% reduction commitment made in February 2017 UNESDA has also removed all added sugar drinks from sale in EU secondary schools – maintaining its longstanding pledge to responsible marketing which saw all soft drinks removed from EU primary schools in 2006.
The pace of sugar and calorie reduction varies across Europe in line with different consumer acceptance of no and reduced sugar drinks and reflecting the role soft drinks play in the local diet.
The industry remains committed to furthering its efforts to help create a healthier food environment across Europe and encourages other sectors to join and accelerate the pace of progress through similar pledges. UNESDA will continue to monitor its progress using independent auditors and report on its progress.
Ends
For further information please contact:
Sam Rowe, UNESDA Communications, srowe@unesda.eu [1]; +32 475 361286
Notes to editors on UNESDA’s sugar reduction journey
i.Taking 2015 as a baseline
ii. Global Data monitoring based on aggregated data from 7 European markets comprising some 70% of the European total
iii.https://www.google.com/urlsa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=2ahUKEwjvt7C3uvXhAhVJ [2]
Fadded_sugars_en.pdf&usg=AOvVaw1WSpKz3atqBYbhMGVT7FDz [2]
Links:
[1] mailto:srowe@unesda.eu
[2] https://ec.europa.eu/health//sites/health/files/nutrition_physical_activity/docs/added_sugars_en.pdf
[3] https://www.unesda.eu/