Iced coffee lovers are being warned that their favourite frozen drinks contain more sugar than one can of coke.
Sweeter than a classic latte, frappuccinos and frappes deliver a caffeine fix, usually accompanied with flavoured syrups and whipped cream. A new Which? survey has compared such drinks from different high street chains, with many found to contain “exceptionally high” amounts of sugar.
The consumer watchdog tested drinks from Caffe Nero, Costa and Starbucks, analysing a range blended beverages, with some also found to be sweeter than an average Mars Bar.
While a drink's calorie content must be displayed in stores, sugar content does not, which could leave consumers at risk of unwittingly exceeding the maximum recommended daily intake of free sugars, the watchdog said.
One of the unhealthiest options was a Starbucks caramel frappucino with semi-skimmed milk, packed with 12 teaspoons, or 48.5g of sugar. Meanwhile, a Caffe Nero Belgian chocolate and hazelnut frappe creme contained 44.5g of sugar - equal to 11 teaspoons.
NHS health advice suggests adults consume a maximum of 30g of sugar per day, or around seven teaspoons. Overconsumption of sugar can result in a number of health problems, including weight gain, tooth decay and raised type 2 diabetes risk.
At Costa, a chocolate fudge brownie frappe mocha with oat milk included 42.6g of sugar, or 10.5 teaspoons. A 51g Mars bar contains 31g of sugar, or 7.5 teaspoons, while a 330ml can of Coca-Cola contains 35g of sugar - about eight and a half teaspoons.
Even plain coffee flavour frappes and frappuccinos were found to contain “relatively high” amounts of sugar. A Costa Coffee frappe with skimmed milk contained 21.3g of sugar, Which? found.
Dairy-based drinks derive some “locked in” sugar from lactose, but all the drinks also contained high amounts of “free sugars”, those that have been added and contained in syrups, honey and fruit juice.
Health advice is to limit consumption of these sugars due to their potential to contribute to weight gain and tooth damage. Which? suggested consumers wishing to cut their sugar intake switch to iced versions of a standard coffee instead.
The Government introduced a Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL) in 2018, known as the “sugar tax”, in an attempt to cut unhealthy levels of consumption. However, some drinks are exempt from the tax, including fruit juices and drinks made on-site and served in open cups.
Syrups, often used in frappes, are also exempt. Which? nutritionist Shefalee Loth said: “Our analysis of sugar content in iced coffee blends shows people could unwittingly be consuming much more sugar than they realise, with potentially damaging implications for their health.
“High street chains need to take more responsibility and reduce the excessive sugar content of some of their drinks to protect people’s health. When buying an iced drink, there are alternative, healthier options to choose, such as a standard iced coffee, which contains far less sugar.”
A Starbucks spokeswoman said: “We are committed to helping customers make informed and improved choices that work for them, offering a range of customisation options such as choosing our smallest size (Tall) and our oat dairy alternative with no added sugar.
“Sugar content for an Iced Latte with Semi Skimmed Milk, one of our most popular beverages, starts from 8.7g for a Tall size. Customers can find all nutritional information available on our mobile app, online and our menu boards.”
Caffe Nero said its Belgian chocolate and hazelnut frappe creme was a “treat” and accounted for less than 5 per cent of its sales of summer drinks. Meanwhile, “coffee over ice” drinks, which contained less than 8g of sugar, accounted for 50 per cent of summer drink sales.
The chain added that its iced latte, its highest seller, contained no added sugar.
A Costa Coffee spokeswoman said: “We are proud to offer a balanced range of drinks which also includes, as part of our summer menu, a fruity range of refreshers which all contain less than 40 calories and two teaspoons of added sugar per serving.
“We only offer our limited-edition seasonal drinks, including our summer range of frappes, in small and medium sizes. All drinks can also be customised to reduce the calorie or sugar content, including requesting skimmed milk and removing toppings, or downsizing to a smaller cup size.”
