Dentists back calls for reduced sugar consumption recommendations

Dental professionals have endorsed a new report calling for the government to radically cut the recommended intake of free sugars among people in the UK.

New research from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition has endorsed halving the amount of sugars people consume as part of their daily calorie intake, bringing the percentage down from ten percent to five percent.

Free sugars which include those found naturally in such items like fruit juice. The new recommendation is the equivalent of seven teaspoons a day for adults, a move that would help combat tooth decay, diabetes and obesity.

The British Dental Association (BDA) has emerged as one of the most vocal supporters of the new recommendations, launching an online petition to prime minister David Cameron that invites health professionals and patients to back the proposals.

BDA chair Mick Armstrong said: "The government now has the evidence and a clear duty to send the strongest possible signal to the food industry that while added sugar might be helping their sales, it is hurting their customers."

The British Dental Health Foundation has also endorsed the recommendations and the BDA petition, saying added sugars have no nutritional value, cause major damage to health and are placing a major burden on the NHS.