Silent 'health risk' of coffees that 'can have more sugar than a Mars bar'

30 June 2023 , 23:01

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A Caffe Nero frappe

Iced coffees can have a chilling amount of sugar, more than a Mars bar in some cases, a study found.

A Starbucks caramel frappuccino with semi-skimmed milk has 48.5g of sugar, or 12 teaspoons’ worth, the Which? study found.

A Caffe Nero Belgian chocolate and hazelnut frappe creme had 44.5g of sugar, 11 teaspoons.

At Costa, a chocolate fudge brownie frappe mocha with oat milk had 42.6g of sugar, equal to 10.5 teaspoons.

All have more sugar than a 51g Mars bar, which has 31g, or 7.5 teaspoons, and a 330ml can of Coca-Cola, with 35g of sugar, or around 8.5 teaspoons.

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Starbucks’ caramel frappuccino

NHS health advice suggests adults consume a maximum of 30g, seven teaspoons, of sugar a day.

Which? nutritionist Shefalee Loth said chains should cut the “excessive” sugar in drinks “to protect people’s health”.

Starbucks said it was helping “customers make informed and improved choices” and had an “oat dairy alternative with no added sugar”.

Costa and Caffé Nero responded to the study by pointing out their drinks were not subject to the sugar tax.

Natasha Wynarczyk