What’s more, the current labelling gives an ‘allowance’ of 90g of sugars per person which is based on an adult’s intake and not a child’s. Whilst these claims are legal, they have been shown to be misleading by creating a ‘health halo’ and discouraging shoppers from scrutinising the label more thoroughly. A whopping 57% of products have more free sugars than Haribo Starmix confectionary per 100g – with one product (Kiddylicious Apple Fruit Wriggles 12g) made of 70% sugars This comes after worrying new data reveals they can contain nearly as much as 5 teaspoons of sugars per serving.

The Action for Sugar group is also calling for a ban on the use of misleading claims, such as '1 of your 5 a day', 'naturally occurring sugars' or 'made from real fruit'.Extrusion is used in food processing, mechanically shaping soft mixed ingredients to produce the required shape.

As the latest figures (announced last month) by the Local Government Association showed nearly 45,000 hospital operations were performed to remove rotten teeth, this is a stark reminder that too much sugar in children's diets can have dire consequences – with many suffering agonising pain and emotional suffering all at very young ages. What’s most concerning is this is all entirely preventable. had the equivalent of 2 teaspoons of sugars or more in just one single portion – the same as eating an iced doughnut 1.

Disclaimer

Analysing the wider data, of the 56 coated, flavoured, processed or extruded fruit-based products sold across leading grocery retailers: For example, Tesco Apple & Sultana Bars claim to be 20% of your daily intake of sugars when in fact at 18.4g, they contain nearly 5 teaspoons of free sugar, nearly the recommended daily maximum allowance for a 4-6-year-old in just one bar.