Action urged as sugar is declared the ‘new tobacco’

Sugar is being described as the “new tobacco” for children and the food industry is being urged to slash the amount of sugar it adds to processed food.

According to experts, 15% of Irish children’s food intake is added sugar foods.

So concerned is the World Health Organisation with rising global obesity levels it is considering a recommendation that added sugar should only make up 5% of a child’s diet. The target currently stands at 11%.