‘Healthy’ cereal bars can containhigh levels of sugar

CEREAL bars can contain more sugar and fat than snacks like mini-cakes and chocolate bars — despite their healthy image, according to a consumer magazine.

Britain’s Which? organisation investigated the ingredients of 20 bars, including ones on sale in Ireland, and found each to be high in sugar.

They found a “nutritious-looking” Kellogg’s Fruit ‘n Fibre bar contained 10g of sugar compared to 9.7g of sugar in a chocolate Penguin bar.

Nesquik and Golden Grahams cereal and milk bars each contained 2.1g of saturated fat — more than a Mr Kipling almond slice.

The snack with the most fat was Jordans Original Crunchy Honey & Almond bar, which had 6.8g of fat.

“Many people eat a cereal bar as a quick alternative to breakfast,” said the Which? report’s authors.

“Although the packs are plastered with wholesome images and claims, the 20 bars we scrutinised were all high in sugar.

“More than half were also high in saturated fat.”

Researchers said the findings were worrying in the light of research into obesity levels in Britain, which are among the highest in Europe.

Similarly, dieticians believe Irish children are among Europe’s fattest and say over half the Republic’s population is either overweight or obese.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) yesterday said consumers had to know what a healthy diet was and to eat accordingly.

“It is essential for consumers to read labels, find out what’s in their food and be aware of what consists of a healthy diet,” said FSAI deputy chief executive Alan Reilly.

“High levels of saturated fat are associated with heart disease and we should be looking at ways and means of reducing these fats.”

The European Commission is looking at revamping food labelling so consumers can more easily understand the information and know how much they should eat.