P.J.
0
The 35 teaspoons of sugar in a box of cinema popcorn
Cinemas have been slammed for selling supersize snacks, amid evidence one box of popcorn can contain up to 35 teaspoons of sugar.
Professor Susan Jebb, the Government’s obesity tsar, yesterday called on the chains to offer clear nutrition information, smaller packs and healthy alternatives.
Last week the World Health Organisation suggested maximum sugar intake should be limited to as few as six teaspoons a day.
This means a cinemagoer who buys a large popcorn and fizzy drink could be consuming their entire week’s sugar allowance in just one sitting.
A 200g box of toffee popcorn at Cineworld comes in at 840 calories and 121g of sugar, equivalent to about 30 teaspoons. Adding a 32oz Coca Cola carries an extra 407 calories and 101.2g of sugar, or 25 teaspoons.
A large bucket of sweet popcorn at Odeon cinemas amounts to 1,005 calories, which is more than half of a woman’s recommended daily intake. And at Vue, a 200g tub of toffee popcorn contains 138.9g of sugar, which is equivalent to about 35 teaspoons.
Professor Jebb, chairman of the Government’s Public Health Responsibility Deal Food Network, said she was concerned about the ‘excessive sizes’ of cinema snacks and drinks, adding: ‘High street food chains, caterers as well as entertainment companies all have a role to play to make it easier for people to make healthy choices.
‘The least they should do is provide clear information on calories.’
Cinemas have been slammed for selling supersize snacks, amid evidence one box of popcorn can contain up to 35 teaspoons of sugar.
Professor Susan Jebb, the Government’s obesity tsar, yesterday called on the chains to offer clear nutrition information, smaller packs and healthy alternatives.
Last week the World Health Organisation suggested maximum sugar intake should be limited to as few as six teaspoons a day.
This means a cinemagoer who buys a large popcorn and fizzy drink could be consuming their entire week’s sugar allowance in just one sitting.
A 200g box of toffee popcorn at Cineworld comes in at 840 calories and 121g of sugar, equivalent to about 30 teaspoons. Adding a 32oz Coca Cola carries an extra 407 calories and 101.2g of sugar, or 25 teaspoons.
A large bucket of sweet popcorn at Odeon cinemas amounts to 1,005 calories, which is more than half of a woman’s recommended daily intake. And at Vue, a 200g tub of toffee popcorn contains 138.9g of sugar, which is equivalent to about 35 teaspoons.
Professor Jebb, chairman of the Government’s Public Health Responsibility Deal Food Network, said she was concerned about the ‘excessive sizes’ of cinema snacks and drinks, adding: ‘High street food chains, caterers as well as entertainment companies all have a role to play to make it easier for people to make healthy choices.
‘The least they should do is provide clear information on calories.’
