Well-meaning parents who would not dream of giving their children Coca-Cola might instead be packing their lunchboxes with juices that are even more sugary, a health group has warned.

Health officials should set targets for the reduction of sugar in fizzy drinks, experts have said after new research highlighted the “shockingly high and unnecessary” levels of sugar in cans of fizzy drinks.

Manufacturers of fizzy drinks have hit back at a call by UK GPs for them to be taxed to help tackle spiralling levels of obesity.