Millions of Brits are unknowingly putting their oral and general health at risk by missing hidden sugars on food labels, prompting urgent calls for clearer labelling and stronger regulation. The Oral Health Foundation is calling on the government to introduce mandatory front-of-pack sugar warnings, enforce consistent naming for added sugars across all products, and lead a public education campaign to help people recognise and reduce their sugar intake.
The charity says current food labels are too complex and inconsistent, making it difficult for consumers to make informed choices about their health.
New research from the Oral Health Foundation reveals that just one-in-five (19%) UK adults always check food labels for sugar content – despite tooth decay being the nation’s most common and entirely preventable disease.
The findings, released during National Smile Month, show a worrying trend of confusion and complacency around sugar. While many people keep an eye on calories or fat, fewer than one-in-three (29%) regularly check how much sugar is in their food. Alarmingly, around one-in-six (17%) never check sugar content at all.
Dr Nigel Carter, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, says the public is being “caught off guard by sugar in everyday foods”, and that industry and government have failed to provide the tools people need to make informed choices.
Dr Carter says: “People are trying to make healthier decisions, but the information they need just isn’t clear enough. Sugar is everywhere – not just in sweets, but in cereals, sauces, yoghurts and ready meals – often hidden under misleading names.
“We need simple, honest labelling that makes sugar content impossible to miss. This is a matter of public health.”
Current food labelling rules allow manufacturers to obscure added sugars under technical or unfamiliar names like glucose, dextrose and maltose. Traffic light labelling, portion sizes and daily intake guidance remain underused – partly because the systems are inconsistent and overly complex.
Despite being designed to support healthier choices, fewer than one-in-three (29%) people use traffic light labels to assess sugar content. Fewer than half (46%) check the ingredients list, where added sugars are commonly disguised. Only one-in-four (26%) look at the grams of sugar per portion, while just one-in-eight (13%) pay attention to the recommended daily intake.
Dr Carter warns that the system “favours manufacturers over public health” and is helping to fuel preventable conditions like tooth decay, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
“We’re calling for mandatory front-of-pack sugar warnings, clearer naming of added sugars, and government-led education on how to spot them,” adds Dr Carter. “Until then, millions of people will continue to consume more sugar than they realise – and pay the price with their health.”
The research also reveals that people are far more likely to check labels on obvious sugary products like chocolate or biscuits, with nearly one-in-two (47%) saying they do so. But everyday items that often contain hidden sugars are frequently overlooked.
Only a little over one-in-three (36%) check cereals, despite many containing multiple added sugars. Roughly the same proportion (35%) check soft drinks – even though sugary drinks are among the leading causes of tooth decay. Around two-in-five (41%) check ready meals, while fewer than one-in-three (32%) review yoghurts. Shockingly, one-in-seven (14%) never check food labels at all.
The Oral Health Foundation says the UK needs a “complete rethink” on how food and drink products are labelled, with sugar given the same level of visibility and concern as fat or calories.
“We’re calling for a national effort – from government, food companies, and educators – to empower people with clearer information,” says Dr Carter. “We must stop treating sugar like a harmless treat and start recognising it as a serious health threat. Labelling reform is just the beginning.”
