Call for soft drinks to carry health warning

The Irish Dental Association is calling for the introduction of public health warning labels on soft drinks.

The body which represents dentists says that 75% of Irish children suffer from tooth decay by the age of 15, and they want to see labels - like those on cigarette packets - on soft drink cans and bottles, to warn of the high sugar content.

Ireland has one of the highest per capita levels of soft drink consumption, with an average of at least one 330ml can per person per day.

The Irish Dental Association is now calling on the Health Minister James Reilly to examine the issue of warning labels, saying it would also have a knock on effect on the rates of heart disease and diabetes.