Seven snacks surprisingly high in sugar

Health experts say the average Briton needs to cut out a third of their sugar intake. Credit: Press Association

Health experts from across the world are calling for action to stop food companies adding "huge and unnecessary amounts of sugar" to our food in a bid to try and stem the current obesity and diabetes epidemic.

Read: Food industry should reduce sugar by 30%

The groups of experts are working with charity Action on Sugar to persuade government and the industry to carry out a public health campaign to get food manufacturers to reduce sugar levels slowly, in the same way they set targets for the industry to add less salt over the past decade.

The charity say children are particularly vulnerable to the industry marketing calorie dense snacks and sugar-sweetened soft drinks.

Read: Experts warn of child obesity timebomb

Reducing sugar intake by between 20 and 30% a day would result in a reduction in calorie intake of approximately 100 calories a day, and more in those prone to obesity, the experts said.

High sugar content in processed food 'a public health hazard'

There is no requirement for added sugar in our diet and it is an unnecessary source of calories, all the more dangerous as it gives no feeling of fullness, the group said.

Sugar is a major factor in causing obesity and diabetes in the UK and across the world.

Read: A third of adults in the world 'overweight or obese'

The public are often unaware of the amount of sugar they are consuming, as sugar is now found in an increasing amount of savory snacks.

Sugar is a major factor in causing obesity, and it does not contribute to any feelings of fullness, experts say. Credit: Press Association

The most surprising worst offenders, as identified by Action on Sugar, are outlined below:

Sharwood's Sweet & Sour Chicken with Rice

  • 420 calories

  • 22.1 grams of sugar, or 6 teaspoons

Yeo Valley Family Farm 0% Fat Vanilla Yogurt

  • 120 calories

  • 20.9 grams of sugar, or 5 teaspoons

The health experts said the public need to be protected from the huge and unnecessary amounts of sugar added to their food. Credit: Reuters.

Heinz Classic Tomato Soup

  • 171 calories

  • 14.9 grams of sugar, or 4 teaspoons

Pot Noodle Curry King Pot

  • 507 calories

  • 7.6 grams of sugar, or 2 teaspoons

Diabetes, a long term health condition that requires constant blood sugar level monitoring, can be caused by obesity. Credit: Reuters.

Heinz Tomato Ketchup (15ml)

  • 18 calories

  • 4 grams of sugar or 1 teaspoon

Heinz Salad Cream (15ml)

  • 50 calories

  • 2.6 grams of sugar or 0.7 of a teaspoon

The fatty content of cheese is widely known, but the sugar content of many breads often goes unnoticed. Credit: Press Association.

Hovis Soft White Bread (40g)

  • 93 calories

  • 1.4 grams of sugar or 0.4 of a teaspoon

The figures are all from the health charity Action on Sugar.

Find out more on the Action on Sugar website.