We'd like to thank the following charities for their support of Sugar Awareness Week 2022:

Adopt a School said: 

“As a food education charity, The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts’ Adopt a School Trust is once again pleased to support Sugar Awareness Week. A good breakfast can set us up well for the rest of the day, but many of us may be consuming unnecessary amounts of sugar simply by filling up our breakfast bowls. Sugar Awareness Week offers an opportunity for us all to think about how we can improve our first meal of the day and get off to the best start.” 

Association for the Study of Obesity said:  

"Breakfast. The most important sweet meal of the day" to raise awareness of the sugar content in breakfast foods and strive for policy change. This campaign could not come at a more critical time. We have seen a sharp increase in UK childhood obesity rates, which disproportionately affect those living in the most disadvantaged circumstances. Additionally, The Government proposes to abandon the effective and evidence-based public health measures for obesity prevention, such as the Soft Drinks Levy and restrictions of advertising junk food before 9pm. Obesity, and its prevention, is incredibly complex. It involves more than individual behaviour "energy in, energy out" and will require multi-sector approaches if we are to reverse the trend for increasing obesity rates in the UK." 

BiteBack 2030 said:  

"Bite Back is proud to work alongside Action on Sugar to call out the tactics of big food brands which routinely disguise what's inside some of the nation's favourite products. "Earlier this year we decided to play them at their own game and launched 'müd’ — our new snack bar which claimed to be high in fibre, a great source of minerals and low in fat. That was all true, but there's a catch; our fake product was made of 100% plain old mud! It was a lot of fun, but there's a serious point. Big food businesses are manipulating all of us into thinking their products are healthy, when really, they’re packed with fat, sugar and salt. "We want food and drink companies to be honest and transparent about their products - find out more and take action at https://donthidewhatsinside.biteback2030.com"  

Blood Pressure UK said:  

"Blood Pressure UK is pleased to support Sugar Awareness Week once again to highlight it's link to high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases, which are largely due to consuming too much sugar, salt, fat and alcohol. It is vital that we reduce the amount of free sugars in our diets to have any chance of improving the health of the UK population."  

British Dental Association said: 

“Dentists see the results of the nation’s sugar addiction every single day. Tooth decay remains the number one reason for hospital admissions among young children. Sustained action here remains a prerequisite if we’re ever going to turn the tables on wholly preventable diseases.” 

Eddie Crouch, Chair of the British Dental Association 

British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD) said:  

“At BSPD we are supporting Sugar Awareness Week and this year’s emphasis on the importance of a healthy breakfast. We want to urge the food industry to reduce the levels of sugar currently in products marketed to children, particularly breakfast cereals, where sugary options are so often made to look far more enticing than the healthier alternatives available. BSPD will also be encouraging breakfast clubs in schools and nurseries to offer low sugar, nourishing breakfast options – as well as encouraging children’s own understanding and involvement in choosing what they eat.”  

Dr Jenny Harris, President, British Society of Paediatric Dentistry  

Chefs in Schools said: 

"At Chefs in Schools, we promote the idea that school food can and should be made up of fresh, unprocessed ingredients rather than high in sugar and salt packets, mixes, sauces and frozen foods. Many schools up and down the country offer a breakfast provision for students; for this we encourage schools to use fresh fruits, swap out supermarket cereals for freshly made overnight oats, and replace packet bagels and breads with freshly baked on site breads, removing preservatives and excess sugars, replaced with natural flavour and packed full of health and goodness.   

It’s a vital time to focus on child health, now more than ever we should be looking at ways to transform the quality of school food: Kids are our future, let’s feed them like." 

Children’s Food Campaign said:  

“Healthy children deserve a healthy start in life, and a healthy start to every day. Children’s Food Campaign is proud to be a supporter and partner of Sugar Awareness Week 2022. This year it’s throwing an important spotlight on the importance of a good and nutritious breakfast as fuel for learning and healthy development. Some companies have made huge progress in removing excess sugar from their cereals, but overall the food and drink industry is still pouring far too much sugar into our diets at breakfast time, and we need the whole industry to be properly regulated so that healthy business becomes the best way to do business.”  

Diabetes UK said: 

“Obesity is a key risk factor for type 2 diabetes but, currently, the environment we live in does not ensure healthy food options are the easier options. The food industry must do more to reduce unnecessary free sugar in our foods and drinks, and people shouldn’t be sold a dessert for their first meal of the day. We are proud to support Sugar Awareness Week 2022 and are backing Action on Sugar’s calls to urge the food industry to reduce the levels of sugar in the products they sell.”  

Helen Kirrane, Head of Policy, Campaigns and Mobilisation at Diabetes UK 

Early Start Nutrition said:  

"Early Start Nutrition are delighted to support Sugar Awareness week. Through our work with the early years sector, we share the importance of eating breakfast and highlight the positive effect it has on children’s concentration and learning, while providing them with energy until their next snack or mealtime. We will continue to support early years settings and families to provide low-sugar cereals to children, helping them to learn how to make healthy choices and develop habits to take into their school and adult years. We urge the food industry to reduce levels of sugar in breakfast products for children, to ensure they have the opportunity to start their day in a healthy and nutritious way." 

Faculty of Public Health said:  

"The Faculty supports Sugar Awareness Week as a way of highlighting the detrimental impact of sugar on the levels of obesity, tooth decay – particularly in children and young people - and type 2 diabetes. Approximately two-thirds of our adult population and 20% of our year-6 children are overweight or obese. These impacts are not equally distributed across the UK, with children in the most deprived communities having twice the obesity and overweight levels of those in the least deprived communities. Sugar-loaded breakfast products are a key contributor to overall intake, particularly amongst young people, and the Faculty supports Action on Sugar’s call to urge the food industry to reduce the level of sugar found in breakfast products and provide healthier options."  

First Steps Nutrition said: 

“First Steps Nutrition Trust are pleased to support Sugar Awareness week as we know that eating well is essential for the optimal growth, health and development of children in their early years. Young children need to eat a healthy breakfast based on unprocessed and minimally processed foods that are not high in free sugars in order to establish good eating patterns, ensure a healthy growth trajectory, to protect their teeth and to ensure they arrive at nursery or school able to learn. We have a range of resources to support eating well in the early years, including our recipe books which provide examples of simple, cost-effective nutritious breakfasts that families can enjoy together. We call on the food industry to stop the inappropriate marketing of baby cereals and other baby foods, which are often deceptively high in free sugars and do not support optimal health and development in young children.” 

Food Active said:  

"Food Active are delighted to be supporting this year’s Sugar Awareness Week centred around Breakfast. Breakfast cereals are the second largest contributor of free sugars in children’s diets, and our latest research uncovered the pervasive on-pack promotions used on popular sugary breakfast cereals. Targeted at children and families, these products were the fourth most promoted item and tempted consumers to buy with colourful 2-for-1 offers and ‘chance to win’ competitions. High sugar intake can lead to a myriad of health issues, including overweight and obesity, diabetes and tooth decay. We must do better to promote and protect public health by calling on retailers, the food industry and the Government to focus on reducing the public’s sugar intake and promote healthier, lower sugar options."  

Impact on Urban Health said: 

“All children should have the opportunity to grow up healthy. But right now, families are being flooded with high fat, salt and sugar foods in the places they live, work and play. Sugar Awareness Week provides a great opportunity to place healthier options centre stage and to ask government and the food industry to act to ensure everyone has access to nutritious, affordable food. Through our work with our partners, we also know that providing nutritious food throughout the school day sets schoolchildren up to thrive and we support Action on Sugar’s push to make sure that eating well is the easiest option for all” 

Rebecca Sunter, Programme Director Childhood Obesity, Impact on urban health 

Magic Breakfast said: 

“Magic Breakfast wholeheartedly supports Sugar Awareness Week 2022, especially as the focus is on improving awareness around healthy breakfast options for children and young people.  With 1 in 4 children in the UK currently at risk of hunger, access to a nutritious breakfast each morning is more important than ever. We partner with over 1000 schools across England and Scotland to ensure a nutritious and filling breakfast is provided to as many pupils at risk of hunger as possible, while campaigning for long term solutions to end child morning hunger in the UK.” 

Obesity Action Scotland said:  

“Obesity Action Scotland is proud to support Sugar Awareness Week 2022. Our food environment is flooded with sugary foods and these products are also heavily marketed, all of which is having an impact on our health. A healthy nutritious breakfast is vital to set us for the day, but as the focus of this year highlights, too often breakfast is dominated by foods high in sugar. With almost two-thirds of adults and 29% children in Scotland having overweight or obesity, it is critical that the food industry take note of their responsibility in creating healthier food environments. We need government action to address the availability, affordability and acceptability of unhealthy high sugar foods, to ensure healthy food is the cheapest and most easily accessible option for everyone, to achieve a healthy weight for all.”  

Obesity Health Alliance said: 

"Sugar is harmful and it is easy to underestimate the extent of the risks to our health. Our children see sugary, calorific foods wherever they look: Be it in adverts during their favourite family-friendly TV shows, on their way to school, on the shop shelves or even on the breakfast table. Sugar is contributing too many calories to our diets, leading to excess weight.  So much more can and should be done to stop the flood on unhealthy food, if we are to turn the tide on childhood obesity. It is clear that the food industry is unable or unwilling to improve the foods they sell us voluntarily and it’s now time for a different approach." 

School Food Matters said:  

“Action on Sugar continues the important work of promoting healthy eating, and Sugar Awareness Week reinvigorates our campaigning to protect children’s health. Many schools are still flooded with sugary foods, despite the school food standards outlawing junk food. We continue our work with the Department for Education and others, developing accountability mechanisms to stem the flow of unhealthy food into schools. We look forward to all schools becoming healthy zones where children can thrive.”  

Stephanie Slater,Founder & Chief Executive of School Food Matters  

ShareAction said:  

“ShareAction’s LIPH (Long Term Investors in People’s Health) Programme fully support Action on Sugar’s Sugar Awareness Week which raises awareness of the consequences of diet related ill health, including excess sugar intake. By harnessing the power of the investment system, ShareAction aims to encourage transparency in the food industry, drive progress towards healthier and more sustainable business models for the sector, and ultimately improve the nation's diets and the health of children and society as a whole”.  

Soil Association said: 

"A great start to the day doesn’t have to be a sweet one, there are so many options for delicious and lower sugar breakfasts. The Food for Life team at the Soil Association support Early Years Settings and schools, working together to serve healthy and nutritious food. This includes breakfasts without the added sugar, lots more fruit and veg and less ultra-processed food. Sugar reduction is crucial not just for our health but also the health of our planet, the more we eat, the more land and resources are being dedicated to our sweet tooth, it’s time to reverse this trend.” 

Laura Chan, Policy Officer, Soil Association 

World Cancer Research Fund said:  

“Eating a nutritious breakfast is important as it helps to provide us with the energy and nutrients to start the day right. It can also mean you’re less likely to reach for high-fat and sugary snacks mid-morning. However, many commercially available breakfasts can be high in sugar. One of the aspects of a healthy, balanced diet, is watching how much sugar we eat, and in particular, added sugar. Diets that are high in added sugar can lead to weight gain. We know that living with overweight or obesity can increase the risk of at least 12 different cancers, including bowel and breast cancer. This is why one of our Cancer Prevention Recommendations is to be a healthy weight – an important way to help protect against these cancers. We continue to support Sugar Awareness Week to raise awareness of healthier breakfast choices, and we urge the food industry to continue reducing the amount of sugar that is added to many breakfast cereals”.  

 Matthew Lambert, Health Information and Promotion Manager at World Cancer Research Fund