Advice is way to go on sugary choices: HPB

It has no plans to follow New York in banning sale of large sodas

By Miranda Yeo, The Straits Times, 11 Jun 2012

THE Health Promotion Board (HPB) works with food and beverage outlets and manufacturers to set sensible sugar levels in soft drinks and will not ban such drinks like New York City is planning to do.

The American city is enacting a city-wide ban on the sale of large sodas and other sugary drinks in its war on obesity.

'HPB has no legislative powers but we advocate health messages to steer the public on the right healthy track,' said a spokesman.

What the HPB does, though, is to promote healthy lifestyle choices; it also works with food and beverage outlets and manufacturers to set sensible portion sizes and sugar levels in drinks.

The HPB, the main driver for healthy-living messages here, was responding to queries from The Straits Times on New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's proposal to outlaw the sale of any cup or bottle of soft drink larger than 16 fluid ounces (455ml).

The ban, which could kick in as soon as next March, will affect the large servings of sugary drinks now served in the city's fastfood franchises, restaurants and sports arenas.

Mr Bloomberg is not alone in his worry of rising obesity.

The latest National Health Survey shows that obesity is on the rise here too, with obesity rates rising from 6.9 per cent of the population in 2004 to 10.8 per cent in 2010.

The 2004 and 2010 National Nutrition Survey here showed that the proportion of adult Singapore residents who drank sweetened drinks more than once a week had stayed at 45.4 per cent in those two years.

Although the board has no legislative clout to enforce a ban, it has in place programmes to lower the quantity of sweetened drinks served in restaurants. It works with 150 restaurants - which have more than 600 outlets among them islandwide - to keep their portions to recommended serving sizes, and beverages at no more than 300ml.

The HPB has also worked with beverage manufacturers to offer lower-sugar versions of their drinks; those with 25 per cent less sugar carry stickers with the 'Healthier Choice' symbol.

A standard can of sweetened carbonated drink contains seven teaspoons of sugar, which just about wipes out the average adult's recommended daily sugar intake of eight to 11 teaspoons.

HPB dietitian Gladis Lin said: 'A diet comprising excessive sugary drinks, combined with lack of exercise, will lead to weight gain.' And continuous weight gain leads to obesity, which comes with potentially serious health problems.

Reactions towards a ban similar to the one planned for New York City have been mixed.

Receptionist Maureen Lau, 43, said it may be a way to encourage a healthier lifestyle, but national serviceman Nicholas Quah, 18, felt it is not a practical move. He said: 'If I want to have a large amount of the drink, I can still do so - by buying more of the smaller cans.'