Diabetes Australia is proud to face with the Rethink Sugary Drink Alliance in as we speak’s name for necessary labelling of teaspoons of sugar on all sugary drink packaging.
This can be a essential step in tackling Australia’s rising kind 2 diabetes epidemic and bettering the well being of all Australians.
Diabetes Australia’s Group CEO Justine Cain mentioned the present lack of clear, easy-to-understand labelling of sugary drinks was failing shoppers and contributing to a nationwide well being disaster.
“Sugary drinks stay one of many largest sources of added sugar within the Australian weight loss program, contributing closely to rising charges of obese, weight problems and power illness,” Ms Cain mentioned.
“A single 600mL tender drink can incorporates as much as 16 teaspoons of sugar, greater than twice the World Well being Organisation’s really helpful each day consumption of added sugar, and but many Australians simply don’t know the way a lot sugar they’re consuming.
“Elevated consumption of sugary drinks and ultra-processed meals is contributing to an increase in kind 2 diabetes in Australia.
“For individuals of their 20s and 30s we’ve seen a 44% enhance in kind 2 diabetes up to now decade. We merely can not ignore the function that extremely marketed, high-sugar drinks are taking part in on this development,” Ms Cain mentioned.
“Teaspoon labelling makes the invisible seen. This sort of reform is not only wise, it’s pressing.”
Ms Cain mentioned Diabetes Australia strongly helps Advice 3 of final 12 months’s Federal Parliamentary Inquiry into Diabetes, which requires the introduction of front-of-pack labelling for added sugars.
“Entrance-of-pack labelling that exhibits added sugar in teaspoons is overwhelmingly supported by the Australian public,” she mentioned.
“In the present day’s analysis from Most cancers Council Victoria exhibits 4 out of 5 Australians agree that is the form of clear, trustworthy labelling they need to see. That is about giving individuals the data they should help their very own well being.”
Information from Most cancers Council Victoria’s 2024 Form of Australia survey exhibits widespread public confusion round what constitutes a sugary drink. Just one in 4 respondents recognised sports activities drinks as sugary, and one in three didn’t realise fruit drinks usually fall into this class. Many of those drinks include 9 or extra teaspoons of sugar per serve.
Different international locations together with Chile and Mexico have efficiently carried out front-of-pack labelling insurance policies that embody sugar content material, and Australia should observe go well with.
Ms Cain mentioned kind 2 diabetes is without doubt one of the most pressing and dear power well being challenges going through Australia as we speak.
“We now have greater than 1.3 million Australians dwelling with identified kind 2 diabetes, and an estimated 500,000 extra dwelling with silent, undiagnosed kind 2 diabetes.
“We should act now to stem the tide, and clearer labelling of added sugar is a straightforward however highly effective instrument that might assist individuals make extra knowledgeable selections.”
For extra data and sources, go to www.rethinksugarydrink.org.au or www.diabetesaustralia.com.au
About Diabetes Australia
Diabetes Australia is the nationwide organisation supporting all individuals dwelling with or prone to diabetes. We put individuals first. We work in collaboration with member organisations, shoppers, well being professionals, researchers and the neighborhood.
For extra data go to: www.diabetesaustralia.com.au
