Starbucks along with several other eateries were recently under fire due to high sugar amounts in their drinks and foods. This update pushed Starbucks to reveal that they are working on reducing the sugar count on their drinks.
According to reports from the UK-based Action on Sugar, a health advocacy group, several drinks of Starbucks contain as much sugar as a can of cola. Some of the hot drinks from famous eateries add as much as 20 teaspoons of sugar.
"[It's] yet again another example of scandalous amounts of sugar added to our food and drink," said Graham MacGregor, Action on Sugar chairman.
The list was topped by Starbucks, which included Starbucks' Orange and Cinnamon Hot Mulled Fruit and Venti Grape with Chai, which contains 99 grams of sugar, which is equivalent to 25 teaspoons per serving, according to CNBC.
Additionally, the Starbucks Chai Latte Venti contains 13 teaspoons of sugar, according to the activist group.
When asked about this, Starbucks mentioned that they are taking action to make their drinks healthier.
"Earlier this year we committed to reduce added sugar in our indulgent drinks by 25 per cent by the end of 2020," a Starbucks spokesperson said. "We also offer a wide variety of lighter options, sugar-free syrups and sugar-free natural sweetener and we display all nutritional information in-store and online."
However, the promise seems inadequate for the campaigners, as they suggest that UK government needs to put a new tax on sugar in food along with the formation of an independent agency that will oversee the reduction in fat and sugar content in processed drinks and foods.
According to several health experts, the excessive intake of sugar from drinks might lead to several health problems like tooth decay, obesity and type 2 diabetes and many believe that the sugar in drink should be regulated.
The survey by Action on Sugar covered 131 hot drinks sold in U.K. retail district outlets.
