Spar Austria's sugar reduction policy, which was launched in 2019, will continue to run in 2021.
The retailer works with manufacturers of food and beverages, the Austrian Medical Council, doctors, and medical associations to implement the policy.
Sugar Limits
Since 2017, Spar Austria reduced sugar in its own-brand products and added sugar limits for individual product groups.
Recently retired Spar Austria CEO, Gerhard Drexel, said that the company is "constantly working on the reduction of sugar in Spar own-brand products."
He added that they will "continue to educate people about the effects of an unhealthy, high-sugar diet and point out alternatives."
On average, the Austrian population consumes over 91 grams of sugar per day, which is well above the daily dose of 25 grams or a maximum of 50 grams recommended by the WHO.
Since 2020, a total of 11,454 tonnes of sugar has been removed by Spar's partners in the alliance.
Health Implications
Around 41% of Austrian citizens between 19 and 65 years of age are overweight or obese, which is approximately 2.3 million people.
Obesity can lead to being at higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer.
Friedrich Hoppichler, board member of the Austrian Special Institute for Preventive Cardiology and Nutrition SIPCAN, said that "gradually reducing the sugar content" in products will allow the population to adjust to the difference in taste.
Hoppichler added that sugar is "omnipresent in our society, even in products where we would not expect any sugar."
© 2021 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Conor Farrelly. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
