“Sugar Smart” app lets you know how much sugar is in your food

January 6, 2016

Sugar Smart is a free mobile app reveals how much sugar is in your food and drink. The app works by scanning the barcode on the products to reveal the amount of sugar in grams and sugar cubes. The app is free in Google Play and App Store.

The app is launched in the UK in line with the Change4Life campaign that helps parents limit the amount of sugar their kids eat.

The recommended daily maximum added sugar intake is:

19g, that’s 5 sugar cubes for children aged 4 to 6
24g, that’s 6 sugar cubes for children aged 7 to 10
30g, that’s 7 sugar cubes children aged 11 or older

The campaign reveals the sugar content of everyday food and drink; a chocolate bar contains 6 cubes of sugar, a small carton or pouch of juice drink contains over 5 cubes and there are 9 sugar cubes in a can of cola, instantly taking children up to or over their recommended maximum for the day.

Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist for Public Health England, said “Children [in the UK] are having too much sugar, 3 times the maximum recommended amount. This can lead to painful tooth decay, weight gain and obesity, which can also affect children’s wellbeing as they are more likely to be bullied, have low self-esteem and miss school.”