Wie viele Zuckerwürfel stecken in deinem Lebensmittel? Sofort wissen, ohne Taschenrechner
The sugar check looks up total sugar content from nutritional databases and converts the gram figure into sugar cubes (each cube weighs approximately 4 g) for an immediate visual reference. The total sugar figure on UK food labels — required under Food Information to Consumers (FIC) Regulation — covers all forms of sugar including lactose, fructose, and added refined sugars.
The NHS links excess free sugar to tooth decay, weight gain, and a raised risk of type 2 diabetes. The UK government's Sugar Tax (Soft Drinks Industry Levy, 2018) has already pushed manufacturers to reformulate hundreds of products. Checking labels before you buy — rather than relying on front-of-pack traffic lights alone — gives a more complete picture of your daily sugar load.
The NHS recommends adults consume no more than 30 g of free sugars per day — roughly seven sugar cubes. Children aged 7–10 should have no more than 24 g; children aged 4–6 no more than 19 g. Free sugars exclude naturally occurring lactose in milk and sugars in whole fruit.
High hidden-sugar products in UK supermarkets include flavoured yoghurts (up to 20 g per pot), pasta sauces (up to 12 g per portion), granola bars, and low-fat ready meals where sugar is added to compensate for removed fat. Check the ingredients list for syrup, dextrose, maltose, and "fruit concentrate" — all forms of free sugar.
The Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL), introduced in April 2018, charges manufacturers 18p per litre for drinks with 5–8 g of sugar per 100 ml, and 24p per litre for drinks above 8 g. Pure fruit juices and milk-based drinks are exempt. The levy has encouraged significant reformulation across major brands.
